I've been thinking about this so much (and have a post in the works about it). I'd like to have more books out. I'd like to finish writing more books. But at a certain point going fast was just me writing a bunch of not-good-enough books. I've slowed down for this year as an experiment, and so far it's going ok. I like what I'm writing more. And I might be just as productive, in the long run?
This was not depressing at all. I get the question all the time - "WHEN are you going to write your book?". It is so much pressure I can't even put pen to paper and yes, I put pen to paper. I have plot bunnies in my notes file, have a written novella in my brain, and a few scripts laying about. But the pressure is always about to get it done. Well, we'll get there when we get there.
As someone trying to land their first deal, I think about this constantly. I'm always afraid I'm taking too long and missing my one chance. It makes me feel guilty for resting, for even needing to rest and refill the creative well.
This article is much appreciated! I'm a slow writer to begin with. So even one book a year seemed unattainable to me at the best of times. But it was so much longer for me.
My first book was subject to publishing drama, so it took 3+ years from "published" to "published and staying that way!" Dealing with that, not to mention revising it again and again for new editions, meant no Book 2 was getting done. And half a year after that was finally resolved, real life began kicking my ass (and TBH, hasn't stopped). Now we're coming up on 5 years since Book 1, and Book 2's shitty first draft is just nearing completion.
I worry often that it's been too long, but I can't really do much more than that. At least I'm one of the lucky ones with a steady day job. So I'm glad to know that even Full Time Writers, and even NYT Bestsellers, also struggle with the frantic pace of publishing.
Writing at the speed of publishing
My kingdom for a bigolas dickolas champion!
Before I learned anything about the writing field, I always wondered why it took so long between books when I was so eager to read the next one!
This is a fantastic post!
I've been thinking about this so much (and have a post in the works about it). I'd like to have more books out. I'd like to finish writing more books. But at a certain point going fast was just me writing a bunch of not-good-enough books. I've slowed down for this year as an experiment, and so far it's going ok. I like what I'm writing more. And I might be just as productive, in the long run?
This was not depressing at all. I get the question all the time - "WHEN are you going to write your book?". It is so much pressure I can't even put pen to paper and yes, I put pen to paper. I have plot bunnies in my notes file, have a written novella in my brain, and a few scripts laying about. But the pressure is always about to get it done. Well, we'll get there when we get there.
As someone trying to land their first deal, I think about this constantly. I'm always afraid I'm taking too long and missing my one chance. It makes me feel guilty for resting, for even needing to rest and refill the creative well.
Your cat is really cute. Also ty for the follow <3
This is so fantastic and sums up so much of what had been on my mind lately. Thank you!!
This article is much appreciated! I'm a slow writer to begin with. So even one book a year seemed unattainable to me at the best of times. But it was so much longer for me.
My first book was subject to publishing drama, so it took 3+ years from "published" to "published and staying that way!" Dealing with that, not to mention revising it again and again for new editions, meant no Book 2 was getting done. And half a year after that was finally resolved, real life began kicking my ass (and TBH, hasn't stopped). Now we're coming up on 5 years since Book 1, and Book 2's shitty first draft is just nearing completion.
I worry often that it's been too long, but I can't really do much more than that. At least I'm one of the lucky ones with a steady day job. So I'm glad to know that even Full Time Writers, and even NYT Bestsellers, also struggle with the frantic pace of publishing.