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After 3 days of fever at the end of what has probably been the worst year of my life, I have some Nyquil-induced writing advice for you. Like most good drug-enhanced advice, it is applicable to more than just writing. You want resolutions? I got 'em, baby.
1. Stop being your own worst enemy. Seriously. Whatever you dream of doing is hard enough. You don't need to pummel yourself in the process, hamstringing yourself along the way. We know achieving your goals is tough. You don't have to put yourself in a freezing garret too.
2. Stop comparing yourself to others. Yeah, we all KNOW this so why do we keeping doing it? Not everyone can be as prolific or successful as Nora Roberts or JK Rowling. If that's why you write (fame, glamour, money), oh honey. Buy lottery tickets instead. Better odds.
Comparing yourself to others is another version of self-sabotage. No one else has your schedule, your commitments, your family/money/health/mental issues. The fact I wrote at ALL in 2017, much less published, is a testament to sheer survival.
Write what makes you happy. Sure, some genres sell better than others, but if that particular genre isn't your cuppa, it will SHOW in every line you write. If the story bores YOU, it will bore the reader. You want to throw in every wacky trope that makes your heart sing? DO IT.
3. Create talismans for yourself. I'm a BIG believer in talismans. A tangible representation of a dream or goal. Words to empower you. Make them. Wear them. Buy them. Remind yourself daily of what you want. My personal favorite: I Know My Value from Agent Carter
Not crafty? Check out Etsy for your talisman ideas. These are AWESOME. I want both of them! https://twitter.com/mostlybree/status/947171106028380161
A trend I've noticed over the last few years is how many of my friends have struggled, wanting the current year to end, hoping for a better year to come. Only the next year punches even harder. Well, fists up, ladies and gents. https://twitter.com/SarahCAndersen/status/947128247401304064
The road isn't going to magically become easier. In fact, I predict (and my predictions have been scarily accurate over the last year) that things will get far worse before they have a chance of getting better. That makes it hard to believe writing is important.
The truth of the matter, it's more important than ever to keep making art. As a good friend once said to me, "We are the creators in a world of destroyers. The world needs us and our works." See? We're HEROES.
So there you have it. Write more. Love harder. Market less--but smarter. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't worry about what everyone else accomplished while you were sick, sleeping, earning a living. Write on your own schedule to create the best story YOU can tell. You got this.
