Really appreciate your post with its "Yes you can" just at the right time. I published my first novel back in late September. I've lately realized that there have been some things wrongly done or not done quite done the way they should be that may be hampering my book's story appeal or its acceptance. This makes it difficult to stay motivated. So I decided my second novel would just have to be way better than the first. And the third novel of the trilogy would need to be better still. But I will go back to the first after finishing the second and remedy the first's shortfalls and then going on to the third as they are all connected by the protagonist of the second appearing for the first time at end of the first. And the third protagonist appearing for the first at the end of the second. There is quite a bit of overwhelm and burnout capped off by the question I am asking myself, "Can you do it?" Hence observing the building blocks in your post that read, "Yes, you can!" Some might ask, how? As a pantser writer (no outline just write the draft, revise, rewrite, notice the fixes required and repeat until it is good enough). As long as I don't stop until I get there. Can I get there? I ask myself. "Yes you can!" I say to myself. Thanks for the very welcome indirect encouragement. Some of best encouragement we can get is indirect. Hoping this post helps others if they are at all temporarily caught in a bog.
It can be tough to keep going, but I am certain that you will shine your stories into diamonds! It often just takes longer than we anticipate in my experience. 😅 I'm glad this resonated with you and I hope that it will help you continue to make progress toward your second and third novels! Remember to take a break if you need it. Writing, in particular, is a marathon and not a sprint!
Thanks. I agree. It usually does take longer. But it is also important to get the information on what is exactly required. Anyone who is writing a novel should consider using Atticus software to write it or cut and paste the unformatted text of your novel into Atticus. Atticus can be easily exported into Word because it is crafted to put your text into acceptable KDP formatting. It's probably best to have your novel formatted by a professional like one at a traditional publisher or indie publisher with an excellent editing and text formatting department. To get professional formatting can be expensive, so Atticus is a good option and it more affordable. As far as polishing one's work you just have to keep rubbing the cloth on that really dull looking diamond 💎 until it begins to shine, then make it shine even or ever brighter!!! Thanks again for the encouragement.
This article really resonated with me, especially the "dropping plates" analogy. For ambitious people, letting go of anything feels like a failure. The guilt can be intense!
But sometimes dropping a plate isn't about giving up on our goals, but about strategically pausing to ensure we have the energy and well-being to achieve them in the long run.
"Self-talk matters. Talk to yourself like you would a friend." - it does! We are often our own worst critics. I know for me I have always been someone who likes to go go-go-go and push to be my best. My own self-talk can lift me up, or be my own worse enemy.
Thank you for sharing these 3 habits. Coincidentally, I like doing things in 3's as I find this to be the right balance of priorities, goals etc., to stay focused and not get overwhelmed.
We are definitely our own worst critics and I spent much of last year reworking my self-talk. I'm so glad this could serve as a friendly reminder. 😌
I also like doing things in 3's for the same reasons - it seems like it's a solid number to keep in mind while also making positive changes...because making change is hard enough as it is!
Really appreciate your post with its "Yes you can" just at the right time. I published my first novel back in late September. I've lately realized that there have been some things wrongly done or not done quite done the way they should be that may be hampering my book's story appeal or its acceptance. This makes it difficult to stay motivated. So I decided my second novel would just have to be way better than the first. And the third novel of the trilogy would need to be better still. But I will go back to the first after finishing the second and remedy the first's shortfalls and then going on to the third as they are all connected by the protagonist of the second appearing for the first time at end of the first. And the third protagonist appearing for the first at the end of the second. There is quite a bit of overwhelm and burnout capped off by the question I am asking myself, "Can you do it?" Hence observing the building blocks in your post that read, "Yes, you can!" Some might ask, how? As a pantser writer (no outline just write the draft, revise, rewrite, notice the fixes required and repeat until it is good enough). As long as I don't stop until I get there. Can I get there? I ask myself. "Yes you can!" I say to myself. Thanks for the very welcome indirect encouragement. Some of best encouragement we can get is indirect. Hoping this post helps others if they are at all temporarily caught in a bog.
It can be tough to keep going, but I am certain that you will shine your stories into diamonds! It often just takes longer than we anticipate in my experience. 😅 I'm glad this resonated with you and I hope that it will help you continue to make progress toward your second and third novels! Remember to take a break if you need it. Writing, in particular, is a marathon and not a sprint!
Thanks. I agree. It usually does take longer. But it is also important to get the information on what is exactly required. Anyone who is writing a novel should consider using Atticus software to write it or cut and paste the unformatted text of your novel into Atticus. Atticus can be easily exported into Word because it is crafted to put your text into acceptable KDP formatting. It's probably best to have your novel formatted by a professional like one at a traditional publisher or indie publisher with an excellent editing and text formatting department. To get professional formatting can be expensive, so Atticus is a good option and it more affordable. As far as polishing one's work you just have to keep rubbing the cloth on that really dull looking diamond 💎 until it begins to shine, then make it shine even or ever brighter!!! Thanks again for the encouragement.
This article really resonated with me, especially the "dropping plates" analogy. For ambitious people, letting go of anything feels like a failure. The guilt can be intense!
But sometimes dropping a plate isn't about giving up on our goals, but about strategically pausing to ensure we have the energy and well-being to achieve them in the long run.
You're spot on. It is SO hard, but SO worth it to intentionally pause certain things/projects when we can! Our efforts are better for it.
Excellently worded. 🙌✨️
"Self-talk matters. Talk to yourself like you would a friend." - it does! We are often our own worst critics. I know for me I have always been someone who likes to go go-go-go and push to be my best. My own self-talk can lift me up, or be my own worse enemy.
Thank you for sharing these 3 habits. Coincidentally, I like doing things in 3's as I find this to be the right balance of priorities, goals etc., to stay focused and not get overwhelmed.
We are definitely our own worst critics and I spent much of last year reworking my self-talk. I'm so glad this could serve as a friendly reminder. 😌
I also like doing things in 3's for the same reasons - it seems like it's a solid number to keep in mind while also making positive changes...because making change is hard enough as it is!
Great post.
I’m guilty myself of spinning plates and being too negative in my self-talk, downright ruthless sometimes even.
We can never have enough reminders that we need to give ourselves grace.
I hope you'll be able to take a meaningful look at those plates and remember to be kind to yourself. I'm glad this was a helpful reminder 🙏