Books were selling better than I had ever hoped for, I was being interviewed on television and having professional head shots made by a professional photographer ( no more selfies, this was the big time baby!)
Then, as was to be expected, the hype died down a bit. About once a month I was asked to do an interview or podcast. My monthly sales were erratic. Some months I'd sell a shockingly high number of books, other months I'd squeak by with one or two sales.
Now, to be sure I'm not being all negative, I have surpassed every sales goal I set for myself. I have reached audiences I never expected and had my essays published in big-time places like YAHOO! and Dr. Oz.
And, again to spotlight the positive, the money earned from book sales this past year is paying for a mini vacation for me and the kids this week. That's a very good positive!
It's been a good writing year!
But... it's been a slow past few months.
It started with taking on a temporary yet crappy overnight job which left me exhausted and in a perpetual bad mood. Finally I was offered more hours at my day job that I love and even though I gave up the crappy night job, my writing didn't pick up as much as I'd hoped.
A few interview possibilities I had hoped for fell through and a few pitches to other outlets were rejected.
So, basically, crickets.
I know this is normal. It is normal, right?
And I know the solution is to sit my butt down and get back to writing regularly. That is the solution, right?
And... I just looked and it's been a month since my last post.
OK, I need to shoo these crickets away and get busy again!
Sorry I haven't been stopping by more. I have been feeling sorry for myself. I think getting back to writing is a great idea. I enjoyed your first book and can't wait for the second. So, yes please, write another book. Hope you enjoy the vacation.
ReplyDeleteAs am I waiting on your second book!
DeleteYep, same here. Need to keep my rear in the chair and write even if the nice weather is calling my name. Why is it so hard? Boo and hiss for work taking away our writing time!
ReplyDeleteElsie
It can be hard to write when you feel so busy! However if things are calm enough in your life to get back to writing, I definitely think that that's a good idea. I know you must miss it… :)
ReplyDeletejust bouncing around and found this post. It can be hard and easy to drift away. Sounds like you are swimming back against the current. Hope you can dock and get back in the writing mode. Good luck
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI believe we all reached a burnout stage when we have many things on the fire. Something begins to burn and we must force ourselves to take small steps to get back in tune with ourselves.
I won't say, don't let it get you down, because it already has. That's normal. What I will say is now breathe deeply and take small tiny steps like writing only a paragraph a night. Or two paragraphs a week, or limiting your blog posts to 100 words so that you can post a blog a week. And then celebrate over the fact that you actually did it.
All the best and I look forward to reading your posts. You have accomplished so much and you will accomplish so much more.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
Hello Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI have nominated you for this year’s Liebster Award. If you decide to accept, the instructions are at my book review website at:
https://patgarciabookreviews.com/2016/07/17/the-liebster-award/
Wishing you a very nice Sunday,
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia
tommie@mail.postmanllc.net
ReplyDelete