Insecure Writer's Support Group: Where is the writing guilt?

#IWSG: Where's the writing guilt?

6/29/2020

The first Wednesday of every month is the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Posts go up the 1st Wednesday of every month. Check it out here and join if you need support with your writing. Don't forget to stop by and say hi to the co-hosts: Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!

July 1 question - There have been many industry changes in the last decade, so what are some changes you would like to see happen in the next decade?

I have no idea how to answer this question. Stuff like that isn't something I spend a lot of time thinking on. I'm more of a roll with the flow of things type person, so whatever happens, I try to adapt and keep on trucking.

As for my insecurities... Well, I can't say they've been horrible. Most of June I felt some hopelessness about my writing. I didn't get much done because of health issues and the lack of energy which accompanied them.

It didn't help matters when I put Influenced up for pre-order, sent a newsletter about it and didn't get a single pre-order. I've heard people touting how wonderful newsletters are and the people on it are your true fans who want to support you and can't wait to read your books. I wondered what those people were smoking because I wasn't seeing it. I had to remind myself that my list is small and I'm still building it, and the people who are showing off their great stats have had theirs for a while. It takes works to find readers.

Strangely, despite all that, I didn't feel too guilty about my lack of writing in June. Probably because I know guilt won't get me writing sooner, and I can't push myself too hard or else I risk making my chronic illness flare worse. That only delays my writing. It's hard to get into my characters' worlds when my body is screaming in pain.

I'm hoping July will prove better for writing, that the changes I've made to my health will get the pain under control when it flares, and I can spend less time wondering why my body hates me so much and more wondering why my characters won't do what I tell them to.

How has your summer been going? What industry changes do you want to see?

15 Comments

Liz A. link

6/29/2020 04:42:36 pm

Sorry your preorder didn't go so well. Those sorts of things take time. Good luck.

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

6/30/2020 04:07:17 am

Sorry you've been in so much pain.
I think people are just distracted right now, worrying about money, the virus, the world...

CD Gallant-King link

7/1/2020 06:23:04 am

Hey, I started a mailing list and then completely forgot to send out a message announcing my new pre-order! This stuff is hard, and health issues makes everything worse. I think you're doing pretty damn good with your writing!

Jemi Fraser link

7/1/2020 07:53:11 am

Hope your body starts cooperating!!
This whole writing gig is so difficult - and so hard on the self-esteem! I think it's about finding the right readers - but I have no clue how to do that!!

M.J. Fifield link

7/1/2020 08:23:22 am

Right?!? Why won't those characters do what we tell them to do?

And yeah. It's much harder when we have to spend time wondering why our bodies hate us so much. Hope you get some relief (and keep it!) on that front soon.

I've never attempted the newsletter thing. It seems like there's some kind of secret magic formula to doing it well, though.

Chrys Fey link

7/1/2020 09:35:05 am

I LOVE the new look for your blog! The header is cute!

I do love my newsletter, but I also don't look to see stats for pre-orders and such because...well, I can't see those being traditionally published. But remember that this is a tough time. Publishing right now is hard. While it can be argued that people are reading more now, they are also not spending as much money right now.

Rebecca Douglass link

7/1/2020 10:03:18 am

Marketing is a seriously opaque substance as far as I'm concerned! I had great pre-sales from my last book, but did nothing different from others? Or did I? I guess keeping better records would help me know what works, but honestly, you never know from one time to the next.

Kate link

7/1/2020 11:14:33 am

Love the new look! Very swank... I wish I could understand what makes people pre-order a book and what makes them choose not to. I think I'd be way better off... Marketing is such a mystery sometimes.

Tyrean A Martinson link

7/1/2020 12:16:29 pm

Your website looks really cool! I don't know if it's new or I just realized, but nice graphics! :)
I hope you see some relief from pain soon.

Lee Lowery link

7/1/2020 05:20:58 pm

Love your new look! Very cool! And yes, I've pre-ordered!

To be honest, newsletters don't really do much for me, although I get several. That might be the problem. I'm more likely to pre-order from a blog post like this, because it's on my radar, right in front of me. Social media is a complete waste for me, because I only look at it occasionally. Marketing is a tough gig, to be sure.

Susan M Gourley link

7/1/2020 07:38:05 pm

Hope your muse comes back to you this month. I've never tried a newsletter. It sounds like a lot of work to even build a list. More power to you.

Samantha J Bryant link

7/2/2020 11:53:33 am

I get frustrated, too, when I make a good attempt to get the word out and all I hear back are chirping crickets. Remember that books have a long life--they don't have to hit on day one to eventually hit big! Best of luck with the new release!

Michelle Wallace link

7/3/2020 12:31:49 am

From an educational perspective, I’d like to see more of a three-way collaboration with authors, libraries and schools.
That would address the high literacy levels in our country.

I hope you feel better soon and get back into the writing zone.
Take care of yourself, Patty!

J.H. Moncrieff link

7/3/2020 09:44:46 am

I'm really sorry to hear about your health issues. That sounds horrible. Hope this month is much better for you.

I like your approach to writing guilt. Guilt doesn't do us any good, though I tend to have far too much of it. I can honestly say that feeling guilty has never inspired me to accomplish great things.

Nick Wilford link

7/8/2020 01:39:48 pm

I signed up! Always happy to help out. Sorry about the lack of response to the newsletter. I've never got traction with mine, but that's probably because I don't write often enough - think the last one was over a year ago. I mean, I haven't had news. It is a weird time where people are distracted with other things. Give it time. And I hope your health improves.

#IWSG: Where's the writing guilt?

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