Stuck in the Middle

You’ve finally committed.  You started writing your novel. Everything is going great. The plot is coming together the characters are awesome and connect with each other and you. Then the unthinkable happens.  Nothing at all.  That’s right you’ve spent weeks months or even years and now you’re stuck right in the middle of the story. You know where it should go, but you can’t see how to get it there.

This is not really the same as writers block though you could say they are cousins. You keep writing, but it just feels like you are spinning your wheels. How do you combat being stuck in the middle?

1) Keep writing. The end may be closer than you think.
2) Skip ahead. Movies aren’t shot in order so who says you have to write that way.
3) Realize you aren’t alone. The middle is usually the make or break part of a novel. Not because it is the most important part, but because it is where most writers give up. The beginning of a novel is easy you go in all revved up and start strong. The ending is easy as well as you can see the finish line. The middle is that bleak spot where you can get lost and lose sight of the prize at the end.
4) Don’t give up. Recommit yourself to finishing. You’re in the middle of the forest now and the only way out is to continue forward.

I’m Not Looking

You’ve promised yourself you won’t look anymore. That is easier said than done considering every time you click the link it is the first thing you see.  It is also everywhere you see your book like a shining beacon right next to your cover. And every time the number grows your stomach clenches tight and you hope the news is good. I’m talking about book ratings and reviews. 

There is much debate amongst authors as to the proper to way to respond to these ratings and reviews. Some think responding to the reviewer is good. Some think having the more flagrantly negative reviews removed is a good idea. I’m in the crowd of no response is the best response. So why am I writing this post?

1) Reviews whether good or bad positive or negative can say what they want. It can be inaccurate, mean, and spiteful. It can also be eloquent, thoughtful, and heartwarming. Or any combination of the above. So yes there can be a good negative review and a bad positive review.

2) Authors can feel however we want about the reviews and the ratings that come from them, but very rarely if ever should we respond to the criticisms and reviews whether good or bad positive or negative.

However, not responding does not lessen the sting of the negative reviews nor does it contain the elation at the positive reviews. Being that we're a human (at least the last time I checked I was) we tend to focus on the negative. We can only hope that the positive reviews will balance out the negatives.

It's Not About The Money

I’ve been debating about what my first blog entry of the New Year should be. I wanted it to be something inspiring but real. I just couldn’t come up with anything until a conversation with my husband.

We were talking about finances. Not an uncommon topic after spending a little too much on the kids at Christmas.

He said (jokingly), “You need to hurry up and make me rich.”

My reply, “It’s not about the money. Money is just a perk.” As I heard the words reverberate in my head it struck a chord. That’s when I realized how true those words are for me.

I know some people go into different field with dreams of making it big whether it be a lawyer, doctor, or writer. For them it is what motivates them to excel at their chosen profession. This is not me.

I am motivated by the occasional quiet thank you or you did a great job. As an author this comes in the form of fan mail and positive reviews. It also comes from those quiet moments when I feel that I accomplished something wonderful no matter how small.

Recap, Thanks, and Resolutions

It’s the end of another year.  So much has happened I can hardly believe that only twelve months have passed. 

The beginning of the year was slow but busy.  I was in school, working on my first novel, and working full time. In May I completed my first novel Immortal. I spent the next several months editing it and trying to find and agent. I honestly didn’t spend as much time and energy as most do on this process.

In September I decided to try my hand at self publishing. I mean what is one more thing to do when you already have a full plate. Modest sells greeted me in September and October as I figured out how to navigate through the cyber book world. Figuring out which forums were best to post in and how to post. Where authors hung out and traded information like cyber gold.

Then something crazy happened in November. I got off work and I sold about ten books in one day.  The next day I sold twenty. By the end of the month I sold a little over a thousand books between Amazon and Amazon UK. Kimberly Whalen and agent at Trident Media Group also contacted me about representation for my novel.  After the initial shock and disbelief I accepted her offer.

I cannot say thank you enough to both the readers and authors who have helped me along the way. The advice from the authors I have contacted online is invaluable. The fact that readers are purchasing and enjoying my novel is a dream come true. I again say thank you to all of you for your support.

As for my resolutions for the New Year they are pretty simple. My first is to complete at least two (I am shooting for three) novels this year.  Don’t worry my first book to complete is Forever and I am about halfway through it now.  It will be the second book of the trilogy. I am also working on a as yet untitled second series.

I am hopeful that the New Year will be as wonderful and unbelievable as this one. So thanks again to everyone who has made this year what it was and next year what it will be.

Overcoming Discouragement

I try not to end up in this funk, but about once a week it creeps up behind me and sinks its teeth into me. I’m talking about self doubt. I know logically I shouldn’t feel this way. I’ve hit many milestones I thought completely unattainable in a matter of months. That doesn’t make it any easier or make it go away faster and logic doesn't mean anything to that tiny voice whipsering 'you suck.'

As writers and artist in general it can be hard to overcome the self doubt. The voice in the back of your head saying you’re not good enough. It can be even harder at times. Because as writers we put ourselves out there and by doing that we open ourselves up to criticism that few others can understand.

So to combat the depression and self doubt here are some suggestions from some other writers who suffer the same ailment.

David McAfee

So write. Even when you don't feel like it.

Madeline

When I think something like I can't do this...I generally force myself to think something like "I can do this."

Bards and Sages (Julie)

I would suggest trying to pinpoint the triggers and then neutralize them if possible.

Kathy Carmichael

And if that doesn't work, I find that glomming cookies often shuts that b*tch up.

daringnovelist

Dare to defy that inner critic.
That's the cool thing about indie publishing - you can have the time of your life with it.  So do that.  You are the boss.  You get to write to please YOU.

 Erick Flaig

To get the voice in the back of your head to shut up:  Realize it's your voice (unless your niece is standing behind you).  Now, tell yourself to stop it or there's going to be trouble.  I'm talking about BIG trouble.

Killing Off a Main Character

I’ve made the choice. I’ve written the scene. It fits. It feels right. I feel awful.

We all feel something for our main characters as we write them love, hate, annoyance. They grow in our heads from a mere idea until they take shape and have desires and wills of their own. Sometimes I feel like an overbearing mother telling them they are going to do what I say. They simply look at me, cross their arms, stamp their feet, and tell me no.

The problem comes when they start telling you that it is time to let them go. Sometimes you can talk them off the ledge and figure a way around it, but not this time at least not for me. I feel horrible about doing it and even worse given the circumstances surrounding the death.

Conflicting Information

“The characters are flat and lack personality.” “I loved the characters and can’t wait to see how they grow.” “The story is not original and goes nowhere.” “This book is a great read with a plot twist sent me for a spin.” “Way too many descriptions.” “I wish the author would have given more details.” Okay, I’m paraphrasing a little, but I hope you get the point.

I love getting reviews and emails about my novel (even the one and two star reviews). I’ll admit the lower reviews sting a little, but I realize everyone has different tastes and expectations that bring them to their conclusion. It is just funny how two people reading the same book can feel so differently about it. Even immensely popular novels have warring viewpoints.

As an author it can be a little confusing, or at least for me it can. It is impossible to please everyone when you write. I know that. When you sit down to write your next book though you can hear the warring voices in the back of your head, and at times it can be hard to turn them off. In the end though I guess we just need to write what we feel is best, and take the opinions from those we feel matter the most.