Confession time – I have not had a new book out since 2016
when Henery released Death by Sunken Treasure. I’ve written two books
since then, almost three. Death Dive, the third of the Hayden Kent
series, Sanctuary City, unfinished and intended to be the third of the
Catherine Swope series, and Pirates on Parade, the first book in the
Southernmost Secrets series. So, what’s the problem?
In a word, or two, performance anxiety! It’s been so long
that I’m not sure how to do this anymore. And yes, I’m a bit scared. Pirates
on Parade is in final edits. I’m hoping to send it to my beta readers by
the end of this month, and then to a professional editor after I tend to beta
edits. I plan to self-publish. Hubs, who does great graphic design, will have
my cover ready to go after I give him sketches. The second in the series is
outlined and ready for the writing process. Work in the time of COVID-19 has
slowed to an eight-hour day and I have time to write. So…why the cold feet?
It’s been four years since I’ve done this. I know the road
ahead is hard, but worse than that is the fear that my readers will have
forgotten me. There’s a glut of books on the market, how do I stand out? Gulp. Excuse
me while I pull the blanket over my head. In the midst of my fears, something
happened to give me a glimmer of hope.
After a six-year hiatus, on April 7, 2020, Julia
Spencer-Fleming brought out her latest Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne book, Hid
From Our Eyes. It is wonderful, I loved it. If Amazon rankings are anything
to go by, so does everyone else. Now, I’m not confusing myself with Julia
Spencer-Fleming. She is a New York Times bestselling author, but she gave me
hope that readers might still be interested. And from that hope, has come new
energy.
I'm chugging through the first draft of my next book, this time with an outline. And half-way through, the plot is off the rails.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Just take it one step at a time. It might take you a little longer than it used to, but that’s fine. It is the final book that counts, right?
ReplyDelete@ Margaret - Oh, no! Is this your first time outlining? I've got my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDelete@Susan, thank you! Yes, it is the final book that counts. This experience has taught me the truth of Dorothy Parker's love having written quote. I wish I had met that lady.
ReplyDeleteRelax--remember we're doing this for fun!
ReplyDeleteLOL, you are right, Elaine!
ReplyDeleteAs I read your post, I fought the urge to run screaming from the room. I'm writing in fits and starts. My butt-in-chair routine, 0430-0600 (and longer if I had the time) worked well. What broke the camel's back was getting all my events canceled just as book #3 came out.
ReplyDeleteAnd day job has ramped up with all the anxiety and I feel like I should work as much as I can because this won't last forever. Alaska's economy is going to crash again worse than ever before. I'll have lots of time to write then!
So I don't know. Am getting back to riding my bike now that its warm enough which makes me feel more optimistic.
I see lots of writers who have published successfully after a couple of years off so not to worry.
Hugs.
We'll probably all find routines that work, new or old, and since we really can't not write, continue to produce works, whether for ourselves or others.
ReplyDeleteIt's been too long since my last novel in the Jesse Damon series came out. I have the next one pretty much complete, poised for rewrite, edit, etc, but for have not been able to move forward (although I've worked on a lot of other things.) I think I've finally figured it out--next step should be giving it to my husband, who is no longer capable of even reading it, much less editing, and my older sister, who died.
There's nothing I can do about my husband & my sister, but with my new-found insight, I hope I will be able to get back on board with the novel.
@Keenan, thank you for the encouraging words! And what is it with this legal biz we are in? We too are busier than ever, but the firm fears the economy will bottom so hours and salaries are cut, yet workload increases. Strange brew!
ReplyDeleteIt must have been awful to have your events cancelled. It's not so easy to regroup after having spent months setting up promo events.
@KM - I am so sorry, that is so hard. My heart goes out to you. I hope you will be able to get back on board now. Sometimes realizing what holds us back is half the battle. I'd be happy to beta read for you - just shout - won't be the same, but it is progress.
ReplyDeleteYou are 100% right. We have to write, it's as necessary as breathing - sometimes we can write ourselves through the tunnel and into the light.
It is harder than usual right now! Hugs all around.
ReplyDeleteBut I can’t wait for your new books to come out—love your writing, Kait.
Thanks, Cynthia! Hope all is well with you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI feel ya, Kait. Hoping all goes well!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carla! I have my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteKait, thanks for this important message. So many writers I admire have responded here. You all give me hope. I know each of us will find our way. Looking forward to all the great reading that comes from our struggles. Best wishes to all!
ReplyDeleteCourageous! Unstoppable! Go for it. We've got your back!
ReplyDelete