My eternal struggle can be summed up in one phrase: finding the rhythm again. There is an ebb and flow to writing, a certain amount of mental preparation necessary on a daily basis, and a helluva lotta luck. So after two years of lockdowns and teaching little ones from home, masks and the constant fear of infection or spreading infection, how do you find that rhythm again?
Back to the author life
I made a promise back in September that 2023 was going to be my year. I walked away from the blog in August of 2021 knowing the challenges before me with a new baby in the mix, but after watching her grow by leaps and bounds over the last year, I needed to put my focus back into my writing.
Writing, though, was always the easy part. Writing is like breathing to me. It may appear difficult at times, especially with the many distractions constantly buzzing in my ear, but when push comes to shove I am always aware of the plan in my head and can get something–SOMETHING, not perfection–on the page.
That’s how you get back into things: words on the page. That’s the key to figuring out how to make things work.
But again, the writing is the easy part…
Blogs and newsletters
I agonize over the marketing side of my life. AGONIZE. Everything is a struggle, because I want to give my readers the world and know that it is impossible. I am never going to be publishing a book every month, unfortunately, but I do what I can to keep things interesting.
That’s the challenge here. How do you keep readers engaged enough to be there when you need them? Like, say September, when The Wellspring launches…
It is figuring stuff like that out where I struggle and where the time starts to dwindle for the work. It’s part of the gig though, so what I’ve done over the last couple months is find pockets to put all the marketing aspects into. Blogs are done on specific days. Newsletters come in between accomplishments on the writing side (hopefully…)
By working out the schedule in this fashion, I can completely segregate the writing from the marketing, and find my rhythm with my work.
In-person events
I’m heading to a number of conventions this year. I’m scared out of my mind over it. I feel rusty and awkward, and I don’t even know if the world is truly back to normal enough to warrant venturing out in it.
Concerns range from: What should I wear? to What is my pricing structure going to be? to my favorite, How should I arrange my table?
Ridiculous amounts of focus goes into each of these brain-busters. I hate it. Writing is easy. Figuring out everything else? SO HARD.
Work/Life Balance
Life wins. It’s a hard fact to realize, but it is the truth. My work will always come second to my wonderful family and that is the way it should always be.
That doesn’t mean I don’t set up certain systems so I don’t go insane from not working!
Lately, I’ve been heading to the local library one night per week for work. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in two hours without a baby monitor on your desk.
Scheduling out in advance is pretty much my go-to move for everything nowadays. I have all my goals for the year written out and know what it takes to hit each one. So building out days where all I do is work is crucial to survive this chaotic lifestyle I’ve chosen.
So is taking a day to play board games with the kiddos.
Finding the rhythm
Finding the rhythm, figuring out how to make things work will always be a work in progress. The baby is going to change sleep patterns. There are going to be birthdays and home improvement projects and concerts and who knows what else to get in the way of writing.
Frustration is inevitable. I feel it every day. Then I hate feeling that way so I get upset at being upset and around and around and around we go…
Take a breath. Pivot. Reschedule. Figure things out.
That’s what I have to keep telling myself.
