As the adrenaline fuelled high of publishing my debut novel last week
recedes, and the world of marketing and promotion rears its vast endless head,
I'm realizing the only way I’ll stay sane is to keep my main focus on writing,
for which I’ll need plenty of the following:
DETERMINATION: Life is about balance, especially that important work
/social life balance, which if your life is similar to mine - and most people I
know - is a juggling act that despite endless practice is rarely easy.
Determination isn’t a constant quality; it can vary - like waves
reaching the shore. Sometimes a storm arrives and huge crunchers thunder on to
the beach; other days the sky is blue, the sun’s shining and tiny wavelets
surge and retreat. Yet the sea is always there, with the wind pushing those
waves forward. So determination, especially when allied with perseverance, accords
you a decent chance at achieving your objectives.
DISCIPLINE: Developing a regular writerly habit is important, although every
writer has their own rhythm, their own way of tapping into the creative
process. I’m still learning what works for me and find changing my schedule
around every now and then has surprising results. Generally I write as soon as
I get up for as long as I can, but I’ll also have periods of working later in
the day when I give myself a word quota and stay at the keyboard till I’ve
reach my target. Some people swear by coffee shops or the library as places for
work. Sometimes words flow, other times it’s a case of patience, encouraging
them on to the page. Sometimes when the words do arrive, they’re not the ones you
want; but if you've got something you can work with – that’s always better than
nothing. Being disciplined doesn’t mean being rigid, but it does mean putting
the time in, one way or another.
DRIVE: Here are a few of the explanations of the word 'drive' from the
Oxford dictionary: by compulsion, force along, impel, urge, compel, energy,
initiative, go along before an impelling force. You get the drift.
When you combine determination and discipline, you generate momentum and
enthusiasm enabling you to make progress. Energy bubbles, and aspects of the
craft, characters, plot, setting etc., cycle round your brain. Determination
gets you started, and discipline keeps you going, but most of all, the act of
writing provides enough impetus to continue with this fascinating, absorbing
yet difficult activity. Why? I believe it’s because the experience of
creation is ultimately one of the most satisfying in life.
Writing Update.
Taking my own advice, I’m determined to be more disciplined this coming
week, and work on achieving a good writing/marketing balance. Unfortunately
trying to expand my activities on social media beyond Twitter and Google+ has
been time consuming. Being an indie writer promoting your own work is like
entering an enormous bewildering bazaar full of enticing colourful wares, resounding
with vendors’ cries, and all I have a tiny table with one wee book in the
farthest darkest corner. I feel as if I’m isolated inside a glass box, watching
everybody else enjoy the party, but no-one knows I’m there! (Apologies, the
pity post is over, now I can move on.)
Writing-wise, I’ve been outlining the plot for the second book in my
paranormal trilogy, and working on the protagonist’s emotional journey. I’m
doing this in more detail than for the first book, as working with the same
characters and setting poses new and different questions. This time I want to
have as many details as possible clear in my head before I start writing. Once
I’ve finished this, I’ll return to the third edit of book one – I’d like to
publish it before Halloween.
So I have my targets and if I achieve them, great, if not, I won’t beat
myself up because I’ll still be closer to my objectives than right now.
Today’s Haiku
AT THE COFFEE SHOP
full red lipsticked mouth
pouts as her lover walks in late -
she still kisses him
Useful
Links:
Chris Graham’s website does exactly what it says. Easy
to navigate and upload your info, open
and friendly to authors and readers, I recommend this blog to anyone looking
for free promotion, new reads, editors’ services etc. Well worth a visit.
Prudence Hayes runs another website offering free
promotions. Another lovely friendly writer, willing to help others with a
straightforward process.
I’d love it if you checked out my debut novel, or
popped over to Wattpad and read any of my posted stories... just click on the
links to the right.
Join me on Twitter at:
teagankearney@modhaiku
Thanks for visiting my blog, and please do leave a
comment.
To all story lovers out there, good reading, and to
those of you who write, good writing.
P.S. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I
upload, change, etc. this blog post, the second half insists of having separate
spacing from the first half. Google - get it together.!