Never Give Up? by @lcrandallwriter

In the heart of an author there are words.

These words string together to make sentences, then paragraphs. These words find homes in poetry, songs, scripts, short stories, and books. Writers long for their words to go into the world for others to read and think about, and maybe be changed by the words.

Recently I’ve heard a lot about writers struggling to find an audience or even minimal attention for their writing, and it’s discouraging. Writers are talking about giving up. It makes me sad, but I understand. Things have changed in publishing and it can feel like it’s just an up-hill battle stacked against us to see our writing flourish commercially.

I have danced the dance of giving up or not giving up writing many times. I posted a graphic on Instagram not very long ago stating I was done with asking myself that question. I concluded, I write, no more questioning. But still, like many writers these days, I looked at my writing career

recently and questioned if I should continue or let it go. So it was delightful to see what Facebook offered me yesterday. It was a Memory post of four years ago. It’s the graphic at the top of this page. It was delightful because it was from a moment when I vowed I would not give up on my writing or my life and settle. For me, writing has been a tool of self discovery. They have gone hand in hand. So I have taken satisfaction in that pairing to grow and thrive in life. Four years ago my books were being released regularly and I still questioned things: were they good enough; did I have what it took to promo successfully; and could I keep writing with self-doubt hounding me? As I then vowed to persevere and never give up, I favored sayings that bolstered my determination. A real writer can’t quit. Follow your heart. Believe in yourself and make your dreams come true, essentially themes on "Never give up."

Now days, I see changes in the publishing world and notice the numbers of authors fearing they have no choice but to quit. It’s expensive to support an indie publishing career and it can be exhausting. I respect those who decide to stop because it’s not working out as they dreamed. Why not put energy and heart into something new? It’s a choice with no shame or regret if it’s made consciously, I feel. And what I believe about my writing choices isn’t a statement about any other writers’ decision.

For me, it’s not at all easy to ignore a passion for words. So though contemplation of quitting happens, it’s not a serious thought. I have decided to refocus, but not to change fields, just to open up to changes and use them to adapt. Writing is a passion but it’s also a business. I have decided that instead of insisting my outcomes must be the things I have always wanted with writing, I am looking at new ways that make me relevant. I’m asking questions with an open mind about how I can promote work when sales are low and I don’t want to go in debt, and considering newer platforms I have ignored because of my insistence on having what I’ve always wanted. I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, but I do know I’m not done with writing.

I don’t believe in giving up writing. No, I am going to write, knowing that at a point in the future I’ll cut back or stop. But it will be because the timing is right and I’ll make that choice with no regrets or books left unwritten in my heart.

Are you a writer struggling with your writing career? What are you doing to achieve your goals or make a decision that is best for you. Share?

Taking Care of Business

Some members of my local chapter of Romance Writers of America, Prairie Hearts , select words for the year. The words are a tool to help those who pick words to focus on something of meaning to their writing. The words are selected yearly, because our focus shifts and we discover a different obstacle or inspiration. For instance last year my word was ‘Yes,” because I wanted to remind myself to be open and willing to try new things with my life and my writing.

Throughout the year I would check in with myself to see if I was saying yes to things, new things in particular, but for me, simply saying yes was a new thing. I lean more naturally toward I can’t, but turns out I can do things, including change. So on to another issue for me. And my words for this year are ‘Do it.’

Do it gives me the extra push I need to overcome feelings and tendencies that would suggest I postpone writing, wait until I’m in the mood or have the right music or the right view or best computer program. I feel strongly that all these various types of concerns are valid. It’s hard to write when I’m feeling wordless. I have a job, so I have to give that work my best, too. Family is a top priority, so it is a regular pull away from writing. The situation requires juggling, and sometimes I’m simply tired. That these concerns are valid is one reason they are so hard to overcome or work around.

So, recently I added another phrase to my ‘Do it,’ that reminds me of something important to get in my head and heart. ‘It’s a business.’ Writing is a business. In business or for our jobs, we don’t have the luxury of ignoring our tasks. It’s expected, even required, that we show up and get the work done. I also think it’s very important to live a balanced life, but let’s get real. If we want to write books and publish them or get them published, we need to understand that it’s a business. Yes, we writers love writing. It’s a high when the words pour out. It’s a fun challenge when they don’t. So we like our jobs. But it’s still work, business, that requires dedication, diligence, resolve, and honesty with ourselves.

If I sleep in late and then don’t have enough time to spend with family, do my freelance work, clean the house, and write pages for my latest WIP, I’m not getting it. I’m not being honest. Writing is a business and if I want to achieve my goals, I have to make time for it and then do it. And if I don’t, I won’t finish a book.

If I seem a bit preachy, it’s because I’m frustrated with my own lack of awareness. I’m aggravated that I allow myself to believe I need to sleep in or have an afternoon off to read, when I so strongly want to finish my WIP and complain I don’t have time. I’m frustrated that self-doubt would prevent me from writing by distracting me with other less scary things. I have to do it anyway. It’s just business.

This is a very personal Aha! for me. I think reading is an excellent way to improve writing skills. Being tired means we should rest. But for myself, sometimes it’s just all excuses and it’s now time to get real.

Do you agree that writing is a business or is it a hobby? What do you do to keep on task with your writing? What pulls you away?