There’s nothing quite like sitting in front of the fire; whether it’s in a fireplace, wood stove, or fire pit in the back yard.
Today I’m writing in front of my fireplace, because, after all, winter appears to be here. I used to dream of writing in front of a fire in a cabin in the mountains during a getaway; but now that I have a home with a fireplace I don’t have to go anywhere. And truth be told: I absolutely love it!
As a writer it’s good to find a zone where you can write freely; without hesitation or interruptions. And by all means, save the editing for later. (I definitely have to practice what I preach here, but I am getting better.)
Your writing time may be limited to only an hour or two, but make use of that time. Turn off the phone, put on some music (or don’t), and let the words flow. And if sipping on a glass of wine or a cocktail is what you’re into, by all means…go for it.
The point is to get the words out. Whether you record them via speech-to-text, use a writing app, or use the tried-and-true pen and paper (what this post is being written with); get them down.
As a writer it’s your job to do what works for you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t reprimand yourself for not doing as much as you planned. Face it: life happens! But when you do have your writing time, make use of it.
It is better to write every day if you can. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, and if you’re participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), you’ll have to make up for it somewhere along the way. It’s a lot easier to write 1667 words in a day than to write double or triple that because you missed a day or two.
Writing a book is hard work, but don’t let that stop you from doing it. I’ve been writing and publishing nonfiction for years, but when I committed to NaNoWriMo 2012 (my first) I was not prepared for where it would take me. Nor was I prepared for the pressure I felt to get it done.
I was shocked (to say the least) how the characters took on a life of their own. There were times when I couldn’t write fast enough to keep up. I had a basic plan for them, but they took my plans and tossed them in the fire. The book almost wrote itself when I gave in and let them do their thing.
I have to admit, that first novel was pretty much completely pantsed. Aside from having character names and a very general idea of what I wanted, I really didn’t have a real foundation for the story. In hindsight that was probably a good thing. Sam and Parker took over, and by the end of November 2012, I had a rough draft completed.
It’s hard to believe 10 years have passed since my first novel. I have since written another, plus a Romance Novella Series. My second series has been started but went wayside when my husband passed away suddenly in May 2020.
No one is immune to the cards life deals, but I will say this: if you want something bad enough, you have to work for it. And when life knocks you on your ass; get up and do what you can to stay up.
I have always wanted my own publishing company, and I have worked toward being in the position to start one. I know I’ll most likely never be as big as HarperCollins, Rodale, or Penguin, but that’s okay.
My goal as a publisher is to help you get your work in the hands of readers. Plus I don’t expect exclusivity. Relying on only one platform is not good business sense, because things can change in an instant. Can you imagine if Royale Bathroom Tissue was only sold in one store, and that store closed its doors for some reason? The company would either go bankrupt or have to find another retailer. So, they’re playing it safe by distributing to a variety of grocery and department stores.
Check out the submission guidelines and services for authors. By getting your work out there you can begin earning the royalties you deserve. You have, after all, done the hardest part; the writing.
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? If so, is it your first year? If not, have you in the past? Let me know in the comments below.
Birchbark Publishing 
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