Every year about this time, I've been struck by a sort of meh-feeling about my work. It's not that I don't like writing anymore, and it's not that I don't still love my books. It's more that I get in a slump and can't really muster the energy to do much of anything writerly.
I didn't really notice it last year. I was too busy with the recent release of my first self-published book. And since it had released, I wasn't really doing writerly things - I was doing marketing things. Totally different animal.
I didn't think about it when I was setting up this year's publication schedule. And so the year began with my marching toward my first release of 2016, blissfully unaware that it would land smack in the middle of the mid-winter malaise.
And I remained unaware even as it was creeping up on me. The first thing that happened is that I didn't feel like reading. Anything. When I realized that part, I figured that was how the malaise would play out this year. Because, ya know, I'm too busy to let it occur anywhere else.
Then the damn thing hit me full force. I have editing that needs doing, but mustering the will is like doing the breast stroke through molasses. And, if you know me at all, you know motivating myself to edit is hard enough without having the malaise sitting on my chest. Bleh.
I need to just suck it up. I will NOT miss my deadlines. I will NOT push back my release date. Malaise be damned.
So, here's how it will go. I have until Sunday to input my editor's notes. Sunday-Tuesday I will proofread this puppy one more time. Wednesday-Thursday is formatting. A week from Friday I WILL get this uploaded for pre-order. Dammit.
Also on this Friday, I'll do the big cover reveal for those of you who didn't receive my newsletter.
Screw the malaise. I ain't got time for no frickin' malaise. Time to crack the whip and get my buns in gear.
But first, coffee!
I hate when that happens! I get it in varying degrees at odd times. Just grit your teeth and get it done. Set time limits--work your ass off for two hours or three or whatever. Set a timer. When it goes off, put stuff away and go veg. But during work periods, freakin' WORK! That's the only thing I've found that helps me.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do it. Because I WANT THIS BOOK! Like NOW!!!! Don't make me drive up there and use the Mother Finger(tm) on you! ;)
I'm gritting and getting, Silver. I have a time limit - I work until I feel like I'm ready to scream and then I wander off. I come back later in a better mood and repeat. Whether I want to or not. It'll be done and ready for the world as planned. Even if I have to spend all of next week burning the candle at both ends.
ReplyDeleteNO! Not the Mother Finger!