Staying on task

There are days it’s not easy to get up and write. I know it may seem like a shock to some people, but it really is. You don’t see anyone responding to what you write, sales are slow, and it seems like you just aren’t making a difference in the world to anyone. It’s rather like being stuck in a dead-end, going no-where job. Only, this is something you can’t just quit and walk away from.

Writing is different from other jobs. Writing gets in your head and after a while, it’s to the point where there isn’t room for anything else. You get irritable if you have to stop and do things, like eat dinner, socialize, say hi to the family, walk the dog. At the same time, realistically speaking, if you don’t take a break and go to the bathroom, things will get really disgusting really quick. Sorry for that image, but it’s true.

In a normal 9-5 job where you punch a clock and you have a boss who signs your checks, you have a quitting time. Writing doesn’t work like that. There are times you will put in 20 hours and still have more to write, but know if you don’t get some sleep it’s going to be all crap. Writing, you don’t have anyone but yourself holding you accountable for getting the book written, revised, edited and off to the publisher. You have no boss to keep you on task.

But fans keep you on task. They tell you that you have to keep going, get that next book out, encourage you in ways you really need, just when you need it. It’s awesome.