It’s been a while since I last wrote here, so sorry for that. My only excuse: I got really busy doing things AND worrying about doing things. (insert appropriate emoticon here)
In those days – weeks – though, I did think of blogging from time to time, and whenever I do, I’ve always tried putting myself in your shoes – you, being whoever happens to have stumbled upon my blog.
I think my website is one of the first-page links that comes up when you Google for ‘self-publishing’ in Philippines or Filipinos so I guess that’s my starting point. If you’re here because you’re considering self-publishing, I’ve written several beginner-friendly posts about this. Just click on the "self-publishing" listed under Categories (right sidebar), and hopefully you find one or two things useful.
I’ll try to come up with more self-publishing 101 posts, but please continue with your own research as well. That’s how I started, too. No one really spoon-fed me knowledge about self-publishing, but I also learned early on to outsource what I can afford to outsource. In hindsight, I also believe that not being spoon-fed was a good thing because it taught me to persevere. So don’t worry if things seem too daunting – just keep at it. Continue with what worked, try another alternative for what didn't. Your journey to self-publishing can be shorter or longer, but either way you'll get to your destination as long as you keep moving forward.
In those days – weeks – though, I did think of blogging from time to time, and whenever I do, I’ve always tried putting myself in your shoes – you, being whoever happens to have stumbled upon my blog.
I think my website is one of the first-page links that comes up when you Google for ‘self-publishing’ in Philippines or Filipinos so I guess that’s my starting point. If you’re here because you’re considering self-publishing, I’ve written several beginner-friendly posts about this. Just click on the "self-publishing" listed under Categories (right sidebar), and hopefully you find one or two things useful.
I’ll try to come up with more self-publishing 101 posts, but please continue with your own research as well. That’s how I started, too. No one really spoon-fed me knowledge about self-publishing, but I also learned early on to outsource what I can afford to outsource. In hindsight, I also believe that not being spoon-fed was a good thing because it taught me to persevere. So don’t worry if things seem too daunting – just keep at it. Continue with what worked, try another alternative for what didn't. Your journey to self-publishing can be shorter or longer, but either way you'll get to your destination as long as you keep moving forward.
As for my own writing journey, I recently came across this post by the Christina Dodd. I remember a high school classmate recommending her to me – or was it in grade school? I can't be sure entirely, all I remember is that she's been around forever. (Please don’t think that’s a dig at her age. Rather, I think the longevity of her career is spectacularly awesome, and I can only hope to achieve even a fraction of her accomplishments.)
Anyway, there was a part that really struck me---
Anyway, there was a part that really struck me---
Wonder if readers realize I’m a fraud, unable to start a story because of lack of will power, inspiration, and most of all, competence. Go for a walk.
I feel like this all the time. No exaggeration. ALL THE TIME. Even with all the stories I've written, even after all the sweet messages I've had from readers, I still feel this and honestly it’s what more often than not which cripples me and prevents me from finishing a book. Generating ideas isn’t hard. It’s whether I can execute them the way I want – and the way readers deserve – that hinders me.
Thankfully, though, I've come to learn that it's just a phase. I'm not sure if you call it writer's block because when I see that as being unable to write at all. But I do get to write. I just don't think it's good enough.
Mm.
Maybe that's writer's block, after all.
Anyway, it's a phase that I do overcome eventually, and when I do it always turns out that time away from my manuscript did me good. Like with Prince of Darkness for instance. I struggled with writing it for a really long time. It's actually the first time that the original, handwritten draft for this (literally penned years ago, like many of my stories were) didn't work. I ended up writing various versions of the story, but none of them worked either. Eventually I was forced to set the story aside.
This month, however, I finally got back to working on it and the words just flowed. And the more I write, the more I was convinced it was the story I wanted for POD. Of course, the real test would come when I release this book to the wild. We'll see then if the readers agree with me.
Thankfully, though, I've come to learn that it's just a phase. I'm not sure if you call it writer's block because when I see that as being unable to write at all. But I do get to write. I just don't think it's good enough.
Mm.
Maybe that's writer's block, after all.
Anyway, it's a phase that I do overcome eventually, and when I do it always turns out that time away from my manuscript did me good. Like with Prince of Darkness for instance. I struggled with writing it for a really long time. It's actually the first time that the original, handwritten draft for this (literally penned years ago, like many of my stories were) didn't work. I ended up writing various versions of the story, but none of them worked either. Eventually I was forced to set the story aside.
This month, however, I finally got back to working on it and the words just flowed. And the more I write, the more I was convinced it was the story I wanted for POD. Of course, the real test would come when I release this book to the wild. We'll see then if the readers agree with me.
While other books take forever to write (Hello POD), others seem to finish themselves on their own. This was the case with Devoured, which was my book for the Kindle Worlds launch of Melody Anne's Billionaire Universe last month. Surprisingly, it's still at #1 in Kindle Worlds: Romance - the longest time any book of mine's maintained any kind of #1 spot in rankings. So I'm pretty happy about that but if you ask me if I expected it - NOPE.
And that's why I'm sharing it with you guys. Since there's no really telling how a book would do until you release it, there's also no point worrying yourself to death while writing it. You'll have a harder time finishing it that way (like I inevitably do, when I let the doubts get to me). Worse comes to worst, you might not even finish it at all...WHEN YOU CAN. It's just a matter of shutting down the side of your brain that keeps entertaining doubts.
I always say this to those asking me for advice about writing, but really, it also applies to mid-career writers like you and me.
When you write just keep your eyes on the prize.
Repeat after me.
Eyes on the prize.
Eyes on the prize.
Eyes on the prize.
And you'll be done before you know it.
And that's why I'm sharing it with you guys. Since there's no really telling how a book would do until you release it, there's also no point worrying yourself to death while writing it. You'll have a harder time finishing it that way (like I inevitably do, when I let the doubts get to me). Worse comes to worst, you might not even finish it at all...WHEN YOU CAN. It's just a matter of shutting down the side of your brain that keeps entertaining doubts.
I always say this to those asking me for advice about writing, but really, it also applies to mid-career writers like you and me.
When you write just keep your eyes on the prize.
Repeat after me.
Eyes on the prize.
Eyes on the prize.
Eyes on the prize.
And you'll be done before you know it.