Writers in the Storm

This is an actual file on my computer:

I confess that I’ve accessed it more than once.

Truth is, anyone who’s been writing for a while knows there will be moments when you wonder if you’re really cut out to be a writer.

This feeling strikes writers who struggle to finish their first novel; writers who submit their manuscript only to receive repeated rejections; writers who debut with confetti and fanfare and then worry about whether they can make the magic happen with a second novel; and writers penning their twentieth novel who can’t figure out why writing is still so dadgum hard.

We’re all in this boat together, though sometimes it feels like that boat is leaking and we’re sinking.

That’s the moment I open my file and read such tidbits as these:

“I am usually pretty disappointed with the book when I finally turn in the last draft and hear that I can’t revise it any further. I worry a lot that no one will like it and that I’ve failed and that I haven’t lived up to the story.” – John Green, New York Times bestseller and author of The Fault in Our Stars

“Dear God, I am so discouraged about my work. I have the feeling of discouragement that is. I realize I don’t know what I realize. Please help me dear God to be a good writer and to get something else accepted.” – Flannery O’Connor, award-winning Southern gothic writer

“Continuing to write after that heartache of disappointment doesn’t take only discipline, but also self-forgiveness (which comes from a place of kind and encouraging and motherly love). The other thing to realize is that all writers think they suck. When I was writing Eat, Pray, Love, I had just as a strong a mantra of THIS SUCKS ringing through my head as anyone does when they write anything.” – Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestseller

“I was convinced that there would be a knock on the door, and a man with a clipboard (I don’t know why he carried a clipboard, in my head, but he did) would be there to tell me it was all over, and they had caught up with me, and now I would have to go and get a real job, one that didn’t consist of making things up and writing them down, and reading books I wanted to read. And then I would go away quietly and get the kind of job where you don’t get to make things up anymore.” – Neil Gaiman, New York Times bestselling author of American Gods and The Graveyard Book

“I’m afraid of failing at whatever story I’m writing—that it won’t come up for me, or that I won’t be able to finish it.” – Stephen King, New York Times bestseller and "King of Horror"

Reading their words makes me recognize this fear that you might actually suck is what even highly successful writers feel.

Perhaps it's just part of a good writing process to constantly evaluate yourself and your writing in hopes of turning out the best book you can. And in some of those moments, you'll feel like you come up short.

Indeed, in 2016 John Green described repeated failures in trying to write a book after The Fault in Our Stars and even said might not publish another book, citing his current writing experience as "this intense pressure, like people were watching over my shoulder while I was writing.” (Well worth watching the video here.) Yet his latest novel, Turtles All the Way Down, was released a month ago on October 10 (and, not surprisingly, hit #1 in the New York Times young adult bestseller list).

Clearly, these writing giants aren’t immune to self-doubt and fear of failure. But they keep going. They keep writing.

For me, it helps to have that file to open now and again to remind myself that 100% confidence isn’t necessary to be a good writer. It’s okay to doubt, as long as we don’t let doubt stop us from writing.

As none other than William Shakespeare said in Measure for Measure:

Our doubts are traitors
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.

Don't let your doubts be traitors. Don't fear to attempt.

What quotations, encouragement, or reality checks buoy your spirits when you think your writing sucks?

About Julie

Julie Glover writes cozy mysteries and young adult fiction. Her YA contemporary novel, SHARING HUNTER, finaled in the 2015 RWA® Golden Heart®. When not writing, she collects boots, practices rampant sarcasm, and advocates for good grammar and the addition of the interrobang as a much-needed punctuation mark.

Julie is represented by Louise Fury of The Bent Agency. You can visit her website here and also follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Julie Cantrell

Imagine six female novelists. One quiet mountain retreat. Three days of intense power-packed creative sessions (plus a hefty stash of chocolate). That’s how our writing tribe was formed. Today, we’re a supportive sisterhood now calling ourselves the Summit Girls.

Who Are the Summit Girls

The Summit Girls are comprised of six female novelists from the U. S. who gathered together this spring to brainstorm plots, critique writing samples, and offer encouragement. With more than 80 books published between us, as well as a few scripts, screenplays, and a long string of articles, our diverse backgrounds provide unique perspectives as we help to shape one another’s stories.

Although we had been friends for years (some longer than others), we had never carved time for a retreat until this year. Setting aside one long weekend proved to be a pivotal decision for all of us. Not only have our friendships deepened, but we now rely on one another to foster more successful careers as novelists.

Five Ways Writing Partners Can Improve Each Other’s Work

1. Sprint: The Summit Girls frequently send a group text message something like: “Anyone want to sprint at 10?” Those who accept will devote one-hour to uninterrupted writing time. At 11, for example, we check back in and share screenshots of word counts, trying to meet at least 1,000 words per hour. Creating these accountability check-ins has proven to be an effective strategy, helping us to reduce distractions and focus on writing.
2. Cheer: We celebrate our victories as a group. The Summit Girls are always eager to share shout-outs on social media and spread the good news about our writer pals. This reminds us all that we are not alone in this journey and helps build our readership across platforms.
3. Model: With different levels of experience, we each bring something different to the table. We appreciate those various skills and enjoy teaching one another. We don’t believe in re-creating the wheel, and the more we can reduce stress for a fellow Summit Girl, the better.
4. Critique: There is no more important tool for a writer than a trusted critique partner. The Summit Girls read one another’s work, offer constructive criticism, and help polish stories until they shine.
5. Encourage: Whether through brainstorming, offering plot support, assisting with character development, or sharing media connections for press coverage, the Summit Girls want nothing more than to see all six of us sustain long, healthy, happy careers as full-time novelists. When one of us in the slumps, we rally the troops and lift spirits until we’re all at our best again. While writers may be able to hire coaches, editors, and PR firms to handle the other four points, there is nothing more important in life than sincere moral support and friendship.

How to Find a Writing Partner

Writing can be an isolative career, but by finding at least one trusted partner, novelists can help fuel one another’s creative spirits, offer moral and professional support, and push one another to be the most effective and efficient writers we can be.

To find a partner, try attending a writing conference where like-minded souls are in search of feedback and peer support. Also join social media chats about publishing, especially those within your specific genre (romance, sci-fi, women’s fiction, etc.)

In addition to joining online forums, it’s a good idea to connect with writing groups in your local community. If no writing groups are currently active in your community, consider launching one. You might be surprised how grateful and helpful other writers are once you dare to gather together.

Do you have any other tips for us? Do you have writing partners? How have they helped?

*     *     *     *     *

Julie Cantrell is an award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling novelist and TEDx presenter whose fourth novel, Perennials, hit shelves Nov. 14, 2017. She is honored to be a Summit Girl with novelist friends Christa Allan, Judy Christie, Jenny B. Jones, Carla Stewart, and Lisa Wingate. Learn more about Julie’s work: www.juliecantrell.com

Featured image: The Summit Girls: F (L-R) Christa Allan, Jenny B. Jones, Lisa Wingate B (L-R) Carla Stewart, Judy Christie, Julie Cantrell

June Westerfield

Your brand encompasses everything your reader sees or perceives about you and your books.  If I’ve said that once, I’ve said it 5,896,458 times.  And I do mean everything.  That, obviously, includes your books.  But it also includes non-visible intangibles, like your level of productivity and even your organization.

Twice in the past few months I’ve had new authors sign up for “new author” coaching sessions, because they are doing everything they can think of, but not getting any sales.  Both were spending hours upon hours on social media promoting their book, they both spent hours building up their email lists, and both were spending hundreds in advertising and Bookbub ads.

Both authors were writing series and each only had one book published.  One was still writing their second book, and the other had book two written but not up for pre-order yet.  Neither had any clues about book three. 

This is a common problem, especially for indie authors who write in the YA or romance genres.  Readers of both genres want their books quickly, and many readers won’t touch a series until all or most of the books have been released.  But, this isn’t exactly a new phenomena.  It can very often take a series time to get off the ground.  Many times it takes readers seeing a third or fourth book before they’ll go back to the first one.  Personally, I’d never even heard of the Twilight series until mid-2007 just before the third book in the series was released.

My advice to these authors was the same…slow down on all of that promotion and focus on writing.  I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but you can have the most beautiful website in the world, a fantastic logo, be the worlds greatest tweeter , and have thirty thousand people in your email newsletter list, but if you only have one book out, your sales and earning potential will hit a brick wall.  Even if your fans think your book is the best thing they’ve read in their lives, without new content, they will lose interest.

Productivity is key.  Ideally, in order to keep their existing readers and continue to grow their audience, and indie author should be releasing around every three months.  That is a ridiculous, exhausting pace.  I know.  But it’s truth. 

It’s nearly impossible to do, especially for authors who have day jobs.  That is where organization comes in.  I recommend having a plan, putting that plan to paper, and then working the plan.

Here is a little example. I recently started writing under a new penname with a writing partner.  Our first book released in May of this year, and on November 7, our book three will release, and we will be putting book four on preorder to release in December.  We had a plan and have been working the plan, even when it feels more like it’s working us. By focusing on writing and gradually increasing the time, effort, and money we put into promotion with each release we now have nearly 10 times the number of pre-orders on our third book as the first and we’ve grown our newsletter by 2000% with minimal effort.  Our brand is growing organically with less effort through our productivity.  

You may be thinking that it’s easier to be that productive in a team.  And you’re both right and wrong.  My co-author has written and published several books on her own this year, and I have three other businesses. 

As you head into the new year, I highly recommend stopping and looking at how you’ve been splitting your time.  Are there ways you can spend more time and effort producing books for your readers?  It doesn’t mean you have to write and release four books a year, but finding little ways to increase productivity can, ultimately, grow your brand and increase your earning potential.

Do you have any questions for June about branding or marketing? Here's your chance!

If you are in need of help getting organized or want help planning out your new year of writing, head over to Author Branding Essentials.  Our Author Essential Planner is a great tool.  Also, don’t forget to stop by in January for our first official PLANUARY.  All month long we’ll have planning tips, publishing tips, and free printables to help you make and work your plan all year long.