Being a writer means that I have a strong imagination. Which is great for creating stories but also means I can swing into doubt and even discouragement easily. Yes, I try to look on the positive side of events, but I can still see the negatives. Keeping them at bay is typically rather easy for me, but then some days – like this past Friday – it’s downright impossible.
I really hate being in doubt about what I should be doing with my writing. I’d just made a business plan that detailed my goals and milestones and deadlines for the next 2 or 3 years in detail. Then faith in my own writing stopped me in my tracks.
Without going into the agonizing details of why, I want to share what I did to pull myself together in hopes you may find some help for the next time you experience such crippling doubt and uncertainty.
The first thing I did was to contemplate quitting writing altogether. Just stop. (Yes, my dear readers, I was that upset and worried.) I could work on other projects waiting for my attention. Like my cross-stitch and crocheting. I have a TON of those projects calling my name, so I could finally cross them off my mental to-do list. Then there’s my guitar that I even bought new strings for back in January and played a few times. It’s back upstairs gathering dust so I could focus on my writing. I could give it some attention again, too.
But then I thought of my readers and realized I can’t stop writing stories for you! I refuse to let my fans down. So I pulled myself up by the bootstraps, as they say, and told my husband we needed to talk. I needed a new plan. With him. No distractions, just us and a pad of paper and a pen.
Which we did Saturday morning. He is my most avid supporter and fan and he did in fact listen as I poured out my worries and fears. And together we made a plan for going forward that we can both live with. It took putting numbers on paper – I hate math! – so that he could understand what I’m thinking and how much it will cost to begin indie publishing a new series next year. We needed to agree to take this leap and its inherent risks.
Then I went to my local RWA chapter Heart of Dixie monthly meeting and shared my fears with my friends. The discussion and support bolstered my resolve and cleared any lingering doubts I harbored. I am forever grateful to my chapter for their unwavering encouragement and enthusiasm as I navigate the publishing path!
Having a plan is important to me. I’ve been a planner all my life! What had caused my serious self-doubt was fear that the plan I’d so carefully laid out would lead nowhere. Would lead to my husband and worse, my fans, seeing me as a failure as an author. My faith in the plan has been restored, thanks to a heartfelt discussion in order to understand all the moving parts and pieces involved in making that plan lead to success as I define it.
So be on the lookout for more on new releases coming out in the new year. I can’t wait to share the new covers and titles with you all!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and opinions!
P.S. If you haven’t already, please consider signing up for my newsletter, which I only send out when there is news to share. News like new covers, new releases, and upcoming appearances where I love to meet my readers. Thanks and happy reading!
Visit my Website for more on my books and upcoming events.
Betty Bolte's Musings 