Thanks. I want to be honest! But sometimes I worry that I might be *too* honest and upset someone. But I know other folks are making these sorts of calculations and if I can help someone feel less alone... (And maybe give a heads up to writers who might need this in the future!)
I think this was super spot on and it was nice to see some similar feelings I've had and also new things I hadn't considered. You're honesty is super appreciated
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?
I'm glad you've given yourself permission to slow down. It can be so hard to balance our needs with the demands of publishing (and our bank accounts). If you like what you're writing more, though, so will your readers!
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.
You are NOT missing your one chance, because there is no one single moment that a book can sell or take off. The best thing you can do right now is enjoy the work and keep moving forward -- which you are already doing, so good job!
But those feelings are also totally normal. I know I felt like I was letting my one chance go several times before I actually published -- and clearly it wasn't just ONE chance. :)
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.
Oh man, that sounds like a tough experience and I'm sorry you're struggling. I'm curious about revising for a new edition though. How does that happen?
My first indie publisher went belly up and the rights reverted to me, so I revised and self-published a second edition.
Then a new publisher came along, so I revised again for a third edition with them.
There was even an opportunity to do so again, but I was so eager to move on that I passed on doing revisions and just kept the third edition as definitive. The new publisher was unsure of the book's market potential so they initially released a POD version, and a year later I finally got a traditional hardcover print run.
My kingdom for a bigolas dickolas champion!
I know!! That whole event was just . . . amazing. So amazing.
haha amazing. but for real, this post was...all the feels. excellent as always
Thanks. I want to be honest! But sometimes I worry that I might be *too* honest and upset someone. But I know other folks are making these sorts of calculations and if I can help someone feel less alone... (And maybe give a heads up to writers who might need this in the future!)
I think this was super spot on and it was nice to see some similar feelings I've had and also new things I hadn't considered. You're honesty is super appreciated
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!
Yeah, there's just so much back end stuff you don't even think about until you peek inside the industry a little more.
This is a fantastic post!
Thanks, friend!
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?
I'm eager to see your post when it's ready!
I'm glad you've given yourself permission to slow down. It can be so hard to balance our needs with the demands of publishing (and our bank accounts). If you like what you're writing more, though, so will your readers!
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.
You are NOT missing your one chance, because there is no one single moment that a book can sell or take off. The best thing you can do right now is enjoy the work and keep moving forward -- which you are already doing, so good job!
But those feelings are also totally normal. I know I felt like I was letting my one chance go several times before I actually published -- and clearly it wasn't just ONE chance. :)
Thank you :) That helps a lot!
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!!
Thanks for reading it. I'm glad it resonated. Though I wish it didn't have to. :(
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.
Oh man, that sounds like a tough experience and I'm sorry you're struggling. I'm curious about revising for a new edition though. How does that happen?
My first indie publisher went belly up and the rights reverted to me, so I revised and self-published a second edition.
Then a new publisher came along, so I revised again for a third edition with them.
There was even an opportunity to do so again, but I was so eager to move on that I passed on doing revisions and just kept the third edition as definitive. The new publisher was unsure of the book's market potential so they initially released a POD version, and a year later I finally got a traditional hardcover print run.
That sounds exhausting! Wow.