Creation demands Endurance

@wilkat – Stock. Adobe.Com

Plodding through my current WIP for the umpteenth time, I ran across a passage about my main character’s family motto. Endurance. My character leans on this family axiom in a particularly troubling and dangerous time. His ability to endure through the most trying and painful experiences helps him to survive.

It got me thinking about editing.

Hear me out. Imagine going through the same manuscript again and again. I think I’m on either edit effort number five or six. I’ve lost track. It’s exhausting. I just want to hand the dang thing off to the next person. BUT – when you’re an Indie Publisher, there really is no “next person.” You must endure and do the work before sending it out. Line editors cost money. Most Indies don’t have a big wad of cash to blow. We must be certain the quality of our books is worth the expense. If your editor comes back with a “this isn’t ready” then you’ve just wasted hundreds of dollars.

“Find the one thing you value most and hold onto it with your very soul. How much would you endure to keep this treasure near your heart?” – excerpt from The Obsidian Gates

@gustavofrazao – Stock.Adobe.Com

What keeps me going? Passion. I love my stories and I love sharing them with my readers. Now you know my dearest treasure. My passion helps me to endure.

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Sometimes You Just Need a Break!

You’ve completed your novel and have self-edited until you can’t stomach looking at the words anymore. Time to send it out into the world, right? WRONG!

This is the perfect time to lovingly put your book in a safe place with a time lock. Why? I know how you’re feeling right now. You want this book gone and off your hands. Haven’t you suffered enough over its pages?

“The blush is off the rose,” “You’ve lost that loving feeling,” “If you like Piña Coladas…” I hate that song.

@mario beauregard – Stock.Adobe.Com

Let me talk you down. Impatience is the killer of quality. In your mindset right now, you don’t know for certain whether the book is ready or if you’re just being impatient. Giving your brain a chance to rest is key. You can come back in a month or so and look at your work objectively.

@Marek – Stock.Adobe.Com

What to do while you’re waiting. Hmm. You are a writer and writers write. Start a new book or a short story. You’ve got an entire month to finish an outline or first draft. Have a bit of fun by letting your creative brain engage in something new.

When the Journey Gets Rough

 

ilyarexi – Stock.Adobe.com

I have a confession to make. Ready? I’m not always the confident, positive writer who marches purposefully along my creative journey. 2016 was a tough year full of health problems, work travel and negative events. Despite my best efforts, work on my current novel slowed from a humming 75 mph to about 5 mph.

Marek – Stock.Adobe.com

Creative inertia is the worst! Your motivation takes a nose dive. Depression and frustration sets in. Soon you start to wonder if you really are on the right path. Here are some steps I took to escape creative inertia:

• Do some self-care. Take a spa day, meditate or try a new hobby to relax
• Take stock. Why do you do what you do? And is it still worth doing?
• Adjust your definition of success. Are you enjoying those small successes or are you fixating on fame and fortune?
• Fall in love with your creative journey again. Take a step back and really look at what you’ve done and where you’re going
• Don’t take yourself too seriously! Nobody needs that kind of pressure.
• Have Fun!

Are You Listening to Your Inner Wisdom?

Pitfalls and perils can surprise you on your creative journey. Stay true to the little light from your inner wisdom and you’ll make your dream a reality.

Bypass the promises of “Easy Solutions”

Ignore the detours of doubt

Watch for the signs your inner wisdom leaves for you

Hold on tight to the faith you have in yourself and your dream

Beginning Your Creative Journey

Spring is a wonderful time for renewal and new beginnings. Why not start the creative journey you’ve been dreaming about? Or refresh things on your current adventure?

Here’s a list of things you’ll need to pack for the trip:

• A positive attitude
• Passion
• Your spirit of adventure
• A rough idea of the plan to reach your goals

What to leave behind:

• Self-doubt
• Other peoples’ negative judgements
• Your inner critic
• Immovable Expectations (Sometimes you want to allow things to unfold)

Above all else, enjoy the journey!

Words of Encouragement from A Creative in the Trenches

Nikki Zalewski – Stock.Adobe.Com

TAG LINE: If I can do it, so can you!

They told me girls aren’t good at math:

I became a computer programmer

They said I couldn’t pass my project management certification, because I didn’t have enough experience:

I’ve been a PMP since 2004 and am now a successful program manager

The naysayers pontificated my dream of being an author was impossible. I’d never get through those impassible publishing gates:

My fifth novel comes out this summer (www.crrichards.com to check out my work)

ivector – Stock.Adobe.Com

Am I super brilliant? Blessed by a fairy godmother? Have an “in” with publishers? I wish.

My Secret: I stay focused on my goal, work hard and maintain a super stubborn faith in my dream.

Don’t let the naysayers talk you out of achievement. I’m living proof they’re wrong. What are you waiting for? Go out and conquer!

 

Jumping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Nikki Zalewski – Stock.Adobe.Com

Creating your dream takes a leap of faith. It also takes courage.

DO – Act upon your wishes and dreams

DON’T – Sit on the sidelines

DO – Face your fears. What do you have to do to make the next step less scary?

DON’T – Allow fear to freeze you into inaction

DO – Have faith in yourself and your dream

DON’T – Allow doubt to defeat you

Jusakas – Stock.Adobe.Com