Lots of things are happening during the first half of this year. I've got a book to release! This means most of my time and energy will be focused on edits, finalizing cover design, laying out a marketing strategy, and working out the many details associated with bringing another book into the world. I've also updated my social media pages, author photo, and added new events to my 2019 calendar. It's an exciting time, and I admit, I work better with hard deadlines.
This is also the time when I experience regular bouts of self-doubt. What if my manuscript is trash and I can't fix it in time? What if sales tank? What if I disappoint my readers with this book? And so it goes...
At this point in my career, I have enough experience to anticipate this annoying internal drama, and I have a toolbox of tricks for getting through it. Here's the biggest trick of all: Do the work.
I'm reminded of one of my son's favorite quotes: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
Yes, I spend time with a bottle of wine (or Jameson's if I'm being totally honest) when I get the first round of edits from the editor. Yes, I have dark moments where I really have no idea how I'm going to fix any of it. Yes, I worry I'm an imposter in the creative world. But, I've made it to the other side enough times to have confidence I will again. So, I allow myself a little time for wallowing, and then I dig in and do the work. It's really the only way.
Monday Musings 1-14-19
I woke up cranky this morning. It was dark, my to-do list was long, and I felt a little under the weather. Part of this was my fault. I had a heck of a good time over the weekend, but, since I am no longer a spring chicken, apparently I don't recover from a 'good time' very quickly. You probably also know from past posts that winter is my least favorite time of year. I whine about everything from my chapped lips to the lack of daylight. So, altogether, I did not feel like leaping out of bed to face this Monday.
I did, however, make it to a power yoga class. My yoga practice is one of the things that keeps me moderately well balanced throughout the winter. I make myself go even when I wake up feeling like the Grinch. At the end of today's class, while I suffered in frog pose, the instructor asked us this question: "Can you be present in the moment even when things are unpleasant?" I actually worried that my dark energy had contaminated the room and she was speaking directly to me.
When I'm in a bad mood, or otherwise not feeling my best, I often wish the time away. I want to extract myself from the discomfort, or just get to the other side of a bad experience. But what I started to think about after my yogic kick-in-the-pants today is how quickly time passes. The older I get, the more acutely I feel it. I don't want to spend my energy wishing time away or focusing on my own internal darkness.
Turns out, after the cue this morning, it wasn't hard to make a mental shift. I can be present even when things are unpleasant because I don't want to miss out on this moment. I know I won't get it back.
Monday Musings 1-7-19
I only spent one semester as an English major before switching over to Classics, so when I started my official writing career, I didn't have a degree to support it, or any real experience. What I learned, though, is that the way you become a writer is by, well, writing.
First, you write crap. Then you rewrite it. Or maybe you put that project aside and start a new one. Somewhere along the way, you realize actual skill is required to do this job well. Like any form of art, talent alone doesn't cut it.
I found that workshops, conferences, critique partners, and good editors made all the difference. I could produce content while improving my craft. Now, on occasion, I get to lead those workshops, guest lecture, and, in different ways, teach new writers some of what I've learned along the way.
Saturday, January 12th at 10:00 am, I'll be at the Pascoag Public Library hosting a workshop on World-Building. For science fiction and fantasy writers, crafting believable worlds in unbelievable settings is part of the job. But, as I've learned, we can't just dump detail after detail into our story or we'll bore our readers to distraction. Seamlessly weaving in background, history, and setting, creating rules for magic and advanced technology, and bringing authenticity to our imaginary worlds requires skill. And, there are actual lessons to be learned on how to do this.
So, if you're an aspiring writer and in the area, check it out. Here's a FB link with more info: Author Series: World Building with Tabitha Lord. Maybe I'll see you there!