Ok. So I’ve got four reviews to post, presumably over the next two and a half weeks. (Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to review. You understood.) Anyway, what I want to talk about now is the irrational fear of typing up notes. 🙂
Category Archives: Writer Troubles
I don’t wanna
Sometimes good thoughts keep coming to my head. I sit down at my computer and . . . the words just don’t come. I want to write an entire book at that one sitting, but . . . on the other hand, I don’t wanna.
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Test Drive
I get ideas then I try to give them a test drive. I see how much I can write about it.
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Turtles
There are so many weird hangups in a writer’s life. Am I wrong? For instance, I keep stalling on my poetry project because I keep writing poetry. And, since I’m self-publishing, who’s to say when I should cut myself off?! Even weirder, my latest writing dilemma has to do with turtles.
Automatic Boycott
I read Amazon reviews. I don’t always trust them, but I read them with interest. Imagine my horror, however, when I read this one: “Anyone who ‘receives a complimentary copy’ whether or not for a review automatically makes my “do not buy” list. Automatic boycott.”
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Law & Gospel for Writers, Part IV-Freedom
Our next installment in our Law & Gospel for Writers series will look at more of the vocation-y side of things. In Part II, we looked at binding. Today, Part IV will look into its opposite: freedom.
Build a Culture
I visited my folks and caught a glimpse of the Masterpiece Theater show Victoria. It looked quite good, and there was a lovely scene of a young Victoria singing while her husband tries to accompany her on piano. It struck me just how much culture and entertainment have changed. So I ask you, if you could, how would– or could–you build a culture differently within your family? Neighborhood? Novel?!
Progress Indicators
I hope by now I’ve established that I want to encourage you, especially to write. Now, sure, I’d like to sell a few books along the way so now and again I look up things about “author websites” and blah blah blah. Well, A) apparently I’m not going to be giving any advice about “author websites,” and B) it’s apparently a thing to have progress indicators.
Filed under Marketing, Writer Troubles, Writer's Life
Almost Published But . . .
Almost published but . . . waiting to hear back from a publisher, struggling to find pre-readers, struggling with editing, shaking your fist at your website, etc.
Listen, it’s ok. “Almost published” has a few of its own unique struggles and burdens. Still, it’s ok.
All sorts of things can prevent you from finally holding your professionally printed work in your hand. It’s still ok.
I want to let you in on something you likely haven’t thought about. Once you’ve been paid for something, you’re technically a professional writer. What is sometimes glossed over is that sometimes you get an advance only to have your contract pulled. It’s happened to more people than you probably realize. 🙂 Mostly it’s an example of how economics and professional writing conflict! It’s still ok! You should keep writing and plugging away at the publishing game!
You may not have a lot of readers, but I bet each one of you has a reader if you write so much as a letter.
You may not have perfect grammar or an editor’s eye, but I’m glad you’ve taken the time and energy to put your words down. You have succeeded at sharing!
Shaking your fist? I’ve been there many times. Might I suggest a cup of something nice? Or some tension-relieving? 😉
Almost published is great. Seriously. It’s an accomplishment. Sure, you may want “published,” but if Jesus returns while a book is en route to its author for the first time . . . it’s still better that Jesus has come. 😀 Whether or not pre-readers have finished, publishers have gone through their submissions, etc.
Come, Lord Jesus.
In more materialistic news, CPH is having its yearly warehouse sale November 2nd through November 6th. I always start browsing the Not Quite Perfect section first. (It’s around all year, but somehow I forget about it.) I’m sure it’s purposefully in time for all our Christmas shopping.
Filed under Writer Troubles, Writer's Life