Writing-wise, I've been super excited to start the outlines for both the sequel to Synthetica and a brand new fantasy series idea I'm currently toying with. Whenever I'm not at my computer, I keep imagining scenes for the fantasy series; I love that little flame of excitement that makes me want to rush home and get cracking.
And yet, when I do finally have the chance to sit down and write - I don't want to. The ideas are all in my head, but I'm finding it strangely tough to get them down on paper. Is it because I haven't actually written an outline in so long, I've forgotten how to start?
I think that I've forgotten the fact that an outline (as well as a first draft) isn't perfect - it's simply for throwing my ideas together and seeing if it works. I can always change it if I have to, that's the whole point. But I'm scared - I'm scared of it being a giant mess with nowhere to go. I know I just have to fight through the fear and get on with it, but I am finding it difficult to get started. And because I want to write but can't, I keep berating myself for not starting which I think puts me off writing even more.
Ah well, guess I'll just have to keep Sam Gamgee's wise words in mind:
In other news, I spent over an hour tonight emailing possible reviewers for Synthetica. The reviews I've had so far have been fantastic (a huge thank you to everyone who's left one/downloaded a copy of my book!), but I'm starting to realise that you can't really stop promoting in self-publishing. Synthetica definitely sells better when a new review goes up, but it's a bit of a catch-22: no one will buy the book if it doesn't have reviews, but because it doesn't have a lot of reviews, it's a slow burner when it comes to selling copies! I know I should've sorted all this out before I published it, but you live and learn :).
How's your writing going this week? If you've self-published a book, do you find reviews help your sales or not? Readers - would you review a self-published book? Why/why not?
Thank you for sharing! Great post. Personally, I'm always working on something at some stage (right now, I have an idea that's only a Pinterest board, an outlined story, a WIP about 45% written, and one in the edit stages), for two reasons: 1. because I have too much going on in my brain so I can't NOT and 2. so I stay fresh in all these stages.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anne Marie :)! Goodness me, that is a lot! I also suffer from the 'too much going on in my brain' syndrome - I like the idea of working on different ideas so they stay fresh, will have to remember that!
DeleteI used to do reviews, but no longer do, because I'm afraid I might not like the book. However, I am currently busy reading Synthetica and so far I am enjoying it. Hopefully I can post a review for you by next week. Don't worry, the writing will come. Wishing you the best.
ReplyDeleteFair enough! Thank you so much for your lovely review :)!! I hope so - I guess I need to stop stressing and hopefully the words will flow better :)
DeleteI'm awful with outlines. I really wish I could make myself do them. Even when I've done one in the past, I end up going way off in a different direction than what the outline says.
ReplyDeleteI can't NOT plan my novels - otherwise they'd never get written! Synthetica did end up being different to the outline, but I'm glad I had it, just so I had a vague idea of where I wanted the story to go :)
DeleteMaybe you're not putting a plan down on paper because your mind knows you're missing something. :-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, I never thought of that, Misha! You're probably right!
DeleteI've always struggled to find reviewers. Or the reviewers that do say yes, and are given a copy, never put the review up. I don't have very good luck with reviews!
ReplyDeleteI tend to write my first outline (very loosely, because I don't really plan) as individual scenes on index cards, and then play around with the order on the floor, adding new stuff as needed. I don't know if that helps?
Ah no! That's sad :(. I've read about that method before - I did try it once, but now I tend to do it all on a spreadsheet instead. I tend to be quite a visual person though, so maybe putting it all out on index cards would help me more...thank you for the suggestion :)!
DeleteWise words, indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Carrie!
DeleteCongrats on your new beginnings.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra :)!
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