Happy March, Writers! Thank you to Alex J Cavanaugh for starting the Insecure Writers Support Group, where we air our hopes and fears.
Make sure to visit this month's cohosts:
Mary Aalgaard, Bish Denham,Jennifer Hawes, Diane Burton, and Gwen Gardner!
IWSG Day Question: How do you celebrate when you achieve a writing goal / finish a story?
I haven't paid enough attention to celebrating in the past, maybe due to my worried brain and achiever personality. Instead of basking in the glory, I often jump to the next goal.
But my psychologist friend, Karen, insists on taking me out to dinner when I finish a novel, and it is important to revel in satisfaction after a completed goal.
Upon finishing a novel, I typically have a sequel or new story hopping in my brain. Since I finished Twin Sacrifice, though, it's been pretty quiet up in hearrre.
I pushed hard at marketing my latest release and have felt bummed by sales, although the reviews have been very kind. Maybe my overall lack of plot ideas and return on marketing investment are a sign to take a break from writing for a while.
Have you taken a lengthy break from writing? How'd it go?
Comments
I don't take long stretches from writing because I get all crabby. It's very cathartic to me, so I kind of *need* to do it.
But congrats on all the great reviews for Twin Sacrifice!
I have confidence that as Twin Sacrifice gets read by more people, the word will spread. It's a great story.
CG, good point about the publishing industry. Always something to do next. Now that I think about it, I'm typically writing a new project while marketing old ones and maybe my singular focus on marketing is making me worry too much about book sales (no distraction from writing).
I know some writers need writing like a drug and it's interesting I haven't felt that way for a while.
Nicki, glad to hear the break worked well for you! I'm looking forward to reading about Molly.
I'm sorry you are bummed about the sales of your latest. It's so hard! It seems like such a great book I hope with word of mouth it will find the audience it deserves.
My problem is in the editing/revising department. That's where I get bogged down and lose interest...
Diane, Karen is indeed a great friend! I've heard other authors talk about their husbands questioning their investment when sales aren't awesome, but I'm sure your hubs has some business ventures/hobbies that aren't super lucrative. Thanks for the validation.
Ellen, you are so kind to read my novel! Are you getting close to a launch? I had more success with a past book that was in a hot genre at the time (new adult sports romance) and marketing does seem like a fickle beast.
I took a year off and did a lot of studying the craft and reading. It was awesome!