Last week I wrote about Embracing & enjoying your writer lifestyle but I, like most people, have days when that is easier said than done. For me the point I’m prone to avoiding the desk the most is when I’m almost finished on a project.
How crazy is that!?! Ultimately getting the book completely done is the objective, isn’t it? But this is the thing - if I’m still writing, tweaking, restructuring, editing, no one can judge it. It’s just not ready. The most they can voice is how long I’m taking. That’s fine. It’s a creative process, it takes as long as it takes.
For example - at the moment I’m in the final stages of my fourth book. The manuscript has been written, swapped around, rewritten multiple times and edited to within an inch of its life. Now, I’m on final edits with my editor (very exciting) and all I need to do is work through these with them and the book is done. In the meantime, I’m supposed to be choosing book covers with my designer, and writing acknowledgements, finding beta readers and bloggers, etc. I find these bits tougher than writing an 90,000 word manuscript (over & over) - go figure!
I think it is because when I’m knee deep in the story, taking my characters through their journey, I’m interested, involved, invested - ‘in’ the process. Whereas these other things, the things that take me to that finish line, where I can hold it up in victory, are terrifying for me. I’ll find anything to keep me from doing what needs to be done.
It’s at this point I look to the sign on my computer that says this ⬇️ I take a deep breathe and smile because I know.
I know that by never putting my work out there it can’t be judged, which is great, safe. But it also can’t be enjoyed by others. So, I’m here, showing up at my desk. I’m working my way down the list of writing related tasks so I can allow people the choice to form their own opinion of my work, it’s not for me to hide it away any longer.
Have a glorious day, stay brave - Claire x
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