Monday, April 4, 2016

Don't Curb Your Enthusiasm





My life has been very busy over the past year. Most of you know I lost my husband, sold my house in Arizona, and moved to Washington state. I didn’t write or read at all during most of that time, but things are changing. I’ve started a new book and I’m trying to get back into the swing of things. Besides writing the new book, I critique another author’s books, and I’m just starting to market and promote again, plus I write this weekly blog. I also read the blogs of others, and frankly, I always find something helpful in them.

I have to remember that there’s a domestic side to life, too, including cooking, cleaning and taking care of three dogs, not necessarily in that order. The new (to me) house in Washington requires a few updates and repairs, and I still have a few things I haven’t unpacked yet.

My husband once asked me how I can continue to remain enthusiastic about writing when it involves so much more than just writing. That’s an excellent question. Sometimes I do feel frustrated and overwhelmed. It seems like there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it. (I wrote about Time being one of a writer’s bosses last week.)

There are several things that keep me motivated. My work in progress (WIP) involves a lot of research since it’s a time travel mystery. It takes place in 1909 and the characters' everyday lives are very different from our lives today. Even while writing, I work on what I might do to promote the book. Writers can do a lot of promoting on the Internet, but readers frequently want to meet the author. I enjoy that part of the experience. I like meeting readers. They make my world go around.

I’ve been in contact with people from the libraries here in Clark County and I have the feeling that they’re very proactive when it comes to authors. It rains frequently here, but hopefully as the weather improves, I’ll get out and about and start meeting more people.

Those who are critiquing my new book keep me motivated, too, because they keep asking for new chapters.

Sometimes I feel tired and overwhelmed and then I remember fan letters I’ve received. I’ve achieved my goal, which is to entertain people. Those letters (and emails) are the highest compliment I can receive. Readers make my energy level soar and they renew my enthusiasm.

Do I ever worry? Yes, but then that’s just me. I sigh a lot like Sandi Webster does in her series. I’ve been told that I roll my eyes frequently, just as Pamela Cross does in the Bogey Man series. You’d probably be right if you pictured a blonde (thank you L’Oreal) author sitting in front of her computer, sighing, rolling her eyes and staring at the screen, trying to figure out what to do next. Write? Market? Promote? Throw her hands in the air and let loose with a primal scream? I also worry about whether readers will enjoy my next book. That may be a universal worry for authors.

Thankfully, my enthusiasm is back after being on hiatus. I’ll do all of the things I mentioned above over time. It’s all part of the Author Experience. What’s that old saying? No guts, no glory? If you haven’t got guts, you’d probably be better off doing something other than writing books.

Writing isn’t for sissies.Take my word for it. 

Latch on to anything and everything that gives you a lift and, whatever you do, don’t curb your enthusiasm.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

8 comments:

  1. Marja,
    I am so happy to see you writing again and I can't wait to read your WIP.
    Lately, I've been doing a lot of sighing and eye-rolling too as I work on my fifth Malone mystery. Your post helped me to remember that it's all part of the writing process. Thanks!

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    1. You're definitely not a sissy, Pat. Your books show how much you care about the craft of writing, whether you roll your eyes or not. Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  2. Well said, Marja. We writers always seem to have roadblocks to overcome. I grew tired of writing my Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense series but missed my characters and decided to continue. I wrote about why at Pat Gligor's Writer's Forum: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/​

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    1. I'm glad you're not giving up on the series, Jean. I'd miss the ladies. :) Thank you so much for stopping in!

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  3. I think you've come a long way since you lost Al, Marja. It took courage to make a major change, but you did it, and I hope now you can start enjoying some of those fruits. You remind us that we all have to cope with what life throws at us and hold on to our ability and desire to write while doing so. That's the mark of a true professional.

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    1. Thank you, Dorothy! Sometimes that "roller coaster" feeling sets me back, but life goes on and writing can be very therapeutic. Thank you so much for stopping in today!

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  4. I agree totally with what Dorothy said and your reply that writing can be very therapeutic. And that your time travel WIP keeps you motivated.

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    1. I know that you and Dorothy, among others, have been through a lot over the past year. We just keep picking ourselves up and moving on. Thank you so much for stopping in today!

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