The BS Book Two Throws at You
Starting It Was Harder Than I Thought
I’ve been ranting and raving about wanting to finish Book 1 so I can work on Book 2, which I did. While Beta Readers read Book 1, I gave myself time off writing to catch up with other things.
When fully immersed in writing mode, things like cleaning and laundry fall by the wayside. After checking every last item off my to-do list, including the chores I dislike, such as cleaning toilets, I finally ran out of things to do besides return to writing.
To my surprise, when I opened the documents for Book 2, I’d completed more work on it than I remembered, but I still struggled to make progress on the draft.
Lessons Learned
For Book 2, I have an outline! Having structure is so nice. With my first book, I was a total pantser, which is a writing approach that means I write by the seat of my pants. For example, in the first draft of Book 1, I’d open a blank page and write whatever came through. I had elves, sloths, and all kinds of random things happening.
Eventually, once I had a better understanding of the story, I wrote an outline. I went scene by scene to ensure everything flowed logically and wasn’t jumping around. For my fellow pantsers, I highly recommend completing the exercise of creating an outline.
Because I have an outline and know my characters, writing the first draft of Book 2 should be easy. Plus, the story combines everything I love. A general recommendation for writers is to write the book only you can write. Book 2, for me, is that. So, I couldn’t figure out why I was so resistant to digging into it.
Being Afraid of Another Book: Stories I Was Telling Myself
When I went into my cave, aka my closet, screamed into a pillow in frustration, and then got quiet, I gained a better understanding of what was happening. I’d gotten into my head and was telling myself stories. Some of the stories were:
I was apprehensive about the work involved in writing another book. I hope the learning curve isn’t as steep for Book 2, but writing requires time and effort. I imagine Book 2 as a four-book series, which is a new challenge for me.
I was afraid of the commitment. If I write the first book of the series, I have to write all four. I’m making a four-book commitment, which is a lot!
I wasn’t even sure if I could write another book. It’s one thing to have an idea. It’s a whole other beast to execute on the idea. I wasn’t sure if I had what it takes.
When I realized what stories I was telling myself, I quickly realized they weren’t true. Yes, writing is hard, but it’s a ton of fun. I don’t need to get so far ahead of myself. I can take things one step at a time, and the first step is finishing the first draft. Then I’ll see what happens.
Of course, I can write another book. I want to write all the books. However, because pursuing my dream of becoming a traditionally published author is scary, procrastination was keeping me safe. If I don’t put in the work and write, my dream won’t become a reality. Womp. Womp.
Getting Over My BS
I got caught up in my BS and talked myself out of doing something I wanted to do. What helped me finally get over my excuses and rip off the band-aid was getting together with my writing buddy. Each week, we meet for an hour on Zoom, update each other on our progress, and then silently work for the remaining time.
I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing for an hour. Technically, I could have, but I would have felt guilty not having anything to report at the end of the call. Having accountability helped me overcome my BS. I’ll write about the importance of building a writing community in another fairy dusting!
Reinstating My Morning Routine
Because it’s been a while since I’ve been in writing mode, I’d fallen out of the habit of doing my morning routine—doing a breathwork meditation, screaming into a pillow (yes, I do a lot of screaming. It’s a great way to release anger and frustration), and journaling. That’s how I wrote this fairy dusting! I’d forgotten how much I missed my morning quiet time until I ripped the band-aid off.
Book Talk
Once I read a book I like, I tend to read through the author’s backlog. I’m currently into Kimberly Lemming. I love her playful romantasy novels. That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon doesn’t disappoint. For some reason, the world she created reminds me of Shrek, which is so much fun.
“You don’t remember?” Fallon put his arms behind his head and settled back down. “Last night, you demanded we bring you cheese and then stated that you were the cheese queen.”
How hilarious and ridiculous! Reading her books before bed is just such a pleasant way to wind down.
Conclusion
So, if you’re sick of your own BS, whether you’re working on another book or facing challenges in another aspect of your life, don’t be afraid to do the thing you’ve wanted to do. It might not be easy, but it will get easier as you go. Getting support from a friend is a great first step to rip the band-aid off!
Sending you lots of blooming blossoms and fairy dust,
Liza