While reading this, I felt I was reading about myself when you were talking about problems you encountered. I also felt a nudge from every step of the seven you discussed. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this with us! You're a gem.
Protect the work. Or, in my case, protecting when NOT to work. I'm cowriting a romantasy with an author I met on here and even after informing her of my Home Weeks, I've broken that boundary a few times and have paid for it the next day. Gah! I'm one of 3 co-caregivers supporting a parent with dementia and my sister and I trade weeks. When it's my Caregiver Week, there's no writing to be done until we put my Mom to bed. I also have FT Corp HellJob, so staying up late to write is NEVER a good thing for me. :/
Oh Evolet, this is a lot to handle when you have such important family obligations. You said it perfectly - I think for you it would be protect your space. Because you need the time and space in order to bring your best writing, so it may go slower than some others which is fine. We go through different stages of life and sometimes, we are required to go slower because of responsibilities. I'm positive the book will be amazing.
Thanks, Jennifer. #1 on authenticity struck me the most, coupled with #3 on content. On Substack here, writing about the things that really move and inspire me, that go to the heart of who I am, is super important to me, so having you confirm that means a lot. And the same with content. When I comment on other's posts or on FB and in other social media, I want it to be from the heart or the head, something I feel or have thought about a lot. I want that heart-head connection with others, even if it takes more time to do so.
Then "protect the work" is so important. While I'm in the book launch phase for my debut novel When Things Go Missing, I can go off on that tangent too, scrolling through Instagram or FB or wanting to read all this great stuff on Substack, and neglecting the writing/editing of my NEXT novel, which I want to publish in 2026. I feel pulled in two directions. The marketing is so important, but so is working on my next book--so protecting that time to do so is key for me.
So happy some of these resonated with you. Totally agree about the constant struggle to balance all the things that go into a successful writing career. We need the admin and marketing and social media, but the actual book writing is at the very heart of what we really do. The rest is support. That's just my philosophy because I'm a happier, more satisfied writer when I'm making progress on a story than spending endless time desperately focused on gaining likes, shares, reviews, etc. Even when I write a substack post I feel good about I sleep better at night, lol. Thanks tons for reading!
Ah, Jen. I so remember how enthusiastic when I first met you and you came to critique. So glad to see you've kept that joy in writing. I ask you a question. Is there anything more exciting that writing something like Missy looked across the room and saw Him and the story flows from there.
YES it’s truly magical and I cannot imagine anyone else but you being the first person to critique my work. You were both kind and true which is what a young writer really needs!
Protect the work. That is the most important advice of all. Thank you for sharing!
It's so so easy to get sidetracked. I'm sidetracked as I speak lol.
LOL it's a phrase I need to read every day because we are living in such a distracting world! So happy you enjoyed the post.
While reading this, I felt I was reading about myself when you were talking about problems you encountered. I also felt a nudge from every step of the seven you discussed. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this with us! You're a gem.
Thank you SO much! I'm thrilled the piece resonated with you and I feel so many of us go through a similar journey. Appreciate your response!
Protect the work. Or, in my case, protecting when NOT to work. I'm cowriting a romantasy with an author I met on here and even after informing her of my Home Weeks, I've broken that boundary a few times and have paid for it the next day. Gah! I'm one of 3 co-caregivers supporting a parent with dementia and my sister and I trade weeks. When it's my Caregiver Week, there's no writing to be done until we put my Mom to bed. I also have FT Corp HellJob, so staying up late to write is NEVER a good thing for me. :/
Oh Evolet, this is a lot to handle when you have such important family obligations. You said it perfectly - I think for you it would be protect your space. Because you need the time and space in order to bring your best writing, so it may go slower than some others which is fine. We go through different stages of life and sometimes, we are required to go slower because of responsibilities. I'm positive the book will be amazing.
Yes, protecting the space. That seems more fitting.
Thanks, Jennifer. #1 on authenticity struck me the most, coupled with #3 on content. On Substack here, writing about the things that really move and inspire me, that go to the heart of who I am, is super important to me, so having you confirm that means a lot. And the same with content. When I comment on other's posts or on FB and in other social media, I want it to be from the heart or the head, something I feel or have thought about a lot. I want that heart-head connection with others, even if it takes more time to do so.
Then "protect the work" is so important. While I'm in the book launch phase for my debut novel When Things Go Missing, I can go off on that tangent too, scrolling through Instagram or FB or wanting to read all this great stuff on Substack, and neglecting the writing/editing of my NEXT novel, which I want to publish in 2026. I feel pulled in two directions. The marketing is so important, but so is working on my next book--so protecting that time to do so is key for me.
So happy some of these resonated with you. Totally agree about the constant struggle to balance all the things that go into a successful writing career. We need the admin and marketing and social media, but the actual book writing is at the very heart of what we really do. The rest is support. That's just my philosophy because I'm a happier, more satisfied writer when I'm making progress on a story than spending endless time desperately focused on gaining likes, shares, reviews, etc. Even when I write a substack post I feel good about I sleep better at night, lol. Thanks tons for reading!
Ah, Jen. I so remember how enthusiastic when I first met you and you came to critique. So glad to see you've kept that joy in writing. I ask you a question. Is there anything more exciting that writing something like Missy looked across the room and saw Him and the story flows from there.
YES it’s truly magical and I cannot imagine anyone else but you being the first person to critique my work. You were both kind and true which is what a young writer really needs!