Surrey International Writers’ Conference was amazing this year! I met many wonderful authors and went to many amazing talks on things like the nitty gritty of the publishing side of the biz, and how to not fall into an unending well of depression brought on by improperly setting up the psychology around your writing career. You know, keepin’ it casual.
It was very refreshing to hear more about the psychology of writing. I have known for a long time that relying on external sources for motivation and validation is a mistake- so too is expecting to feel like you’ve “made it”. So then what do? How act? Mongo just pawn in game of life!
Well for starters, I am working on building my own network. I have a writing group, but I need to take charge and make it happen more often. Building a group of trusted writers takes time and tons of effort, but it seems like a solid way to have a supportive environment in which to practice the craft.
Next I am going to celebrate more things. It can’t be 15 years of work and then a single day of jubilation at seeing my book on a shelf. It just can’t be that. Why did I think that was a good way to go. *rolls eyes at self* SO the solution is to focus more on the journey, and celebrating the little steps along the way!
For instance, celebrate getting rejection letters. They are proof that you submitted!
Celebrate finishing something. Want to celebrate more often? Bang out some short stories and treat cho self to something nice. Reenforce the behaviour you want to cultivate!
I made a list of things for me to celebrate upcoming:
- Announcing a publisher (SOON I SWEAR TO GOD)
- Handing in the final draft
- Getting the proofed MS to review and handing it off
- Getting the back blurb
- Getting any cover quotes
- Submitting my author photo
- When it goes to print
- When it comes out
They likely won’t be huge celebrations, maybe just a meal out. The point is to mark them and continue to support myself by acknowledging my successes. If I’m only planning on having one big thing to look forward to, then what? I will be looking to the next thing? So like, ONE good day a year? Naw bra. I want many little things to be happy about. I want to feel good about this process.
Also I need to get better at waiting for things that I have literally no control over.
In the mean time: more writing!
Good luck to everyone doing NaNoWriMo this year! Crank out that word count.
Pic + video unrelated.
Cheers.
Heidi out.
H.G. Bells 