#IWSG Stay in your lane?

Welcome to another episode of as the word turns...aka the monthly blog fest known world-wide as the Insecure Writer's Support Group.  JOIN US!

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Today I'm talking about staying in your lane--aka writing in the same genre, sub-genre, whatever. Common knowledge is that you need to build your brand by sticking with one. Being known for one thing.

Yeah, or not.

I'm not arguing that might generate more of a tight following. If everything you write is of the same sub category, and similar, it can be easier for folks who love you to grab one of your books--aka an auto-buy.

But writing is more than just marketing. It is damn hard work and whether you are still pre-published or working on your 50th book, you need to love what you're doing or it will eat you alive.

I write Science Fiction/Fantasy. But within that I have a humorous fantasy series, a space opera trilogy, a steampunk  series. I'm working on an alternative history elf crime novel, an epic fantasy, and others. I write what I love.

The trick is to realize that not all of your readers will follow. Just like not everyone likes the same books, not everyone loves all MY books. I do have folks who have read and loved them all. I have folks who loved the space opera and hated the fantasy. It can be scary when you know people aren't jumping to the next series.

But many do. And as a reader, I do too. If I want to write Gothic romances all of a sudden--I'm going to do it. Writing is hard, go where your heart is.

An aside, I get obsessed with different bands from time to time, and right now it's been Twenty-One Pilots. They have a song that made me think of staying in your lane. He's talking about music, but it's the same for writing ;).

They say, "stay in your lane, boy, lane, boy"

But we go where we want to

They think this thing is a highway, highway

But will they be alive tomorrow?

They think this thing is a highway

If it was our way, we'd have a tempo change every other time change

'Cause our mind's changed on what we think is good.

 Do what feels right to YOU--switch lanes when the call comes. And Happy IWSG Day!

#IWSG--why it's harder now

Welcome to the monthly blog hop known as the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Yes, writers are insecure, and yes, we're seeking help. So come join us!

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Today's bit of bloggery is me rambling about why I think it's harder for new writers today, than say way back in the olden days of fifteen-twenty years ago.

The good is that there are so many freaking sources and forms of information out there that didn't exist pre-internet days. We had to count on books like Writer's Market and magazines like Writer's Digest. You would only connect with other writers really at writers conferences or workshops.

The bad is that there are so many freaking sources and forms of information out there that didn't exist pre-internet days. Yup. Same situation, but it's good and bad. Newer writers have SO much information thrown at them now. Writing and being a writer isn't a formulaic thing, but more and more people are looking for ways to "make it", looking for the way to find the magic formula. They are focusing on marketing and business before even learning the craft. Many of them do this because they've been told they have to.

In the old days ya sat in your corner and wrote. Read lots of craft books and rewrote some more. Now the market has changed--back in the old days there were no options beyond trad publishing. So now us indies have a huge open field, and we do have to do more for our books than the trads of olden times.

But the deluge of "what you must do" is killing some newer writers. I just want to tell them to set the ideas of making a million bucks aside, get your ass in the chair, and write. Shut out the mass of information--too much will make your brain go into panic mode, and it is damn hard to be creative day after day if you're busy freaking out.

Write what you love--or what's the point?

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#IWSG- A new start!

Welcome to another adventure in the Insecure Writer's Support Group-- Join us!

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Being as it's only the second day of a new year, I am going to ramble on just a bit about goals. The start of anything is a good time to organize what you want and need for the coming period of time. I don't use the word resolutions because it doesn't work for me.

One thing I've found is goals need to be focused on what YOU control. As a writer, I can control (within reason) if I say I will write everyday--even just a single word. I can't control becoming a New York Times bestseller. When I see others listing their plans, so many are outside their control: I will be making X $ each month; I will win an award; I will get an agent. The person themselves has no control over those events. They can see what it takes to have a shot at those things, and break down those steps as a goal--but not the controlled by other's aspect.

This year I'm keeping it simple: Use my planner everyday, and complete six books. The six books is less scary in that I've got two finished but in need of serious edits, two at about the 1/4 to 1/3 mark, and two that will be brand new.

I plan on two at least being released this year, the others either will, or will wait for a bigger punch in 2020. The bit with the planner is to keep me focused ;).

So that's my plan, what's yours?

Happy IWSG Day!

#IWSG--Year end

Welcome to another chapter of the Insecure Writer's Support Group--join us!

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 I'm going to take this chance to look back at 2018 in my writing world. Insecurities can build from the past and how we view it, so might as well face it head on.

This year I'd planned on getting four novels and one novella out. Now, these weren't all NEW writing. One book was done and in edits, another almost done. So two brand new books, and one finish up & edit, one edit, and one brand new novella for an anthology.

Pretty ambitious, if I do say so myself--especially with that full time day job.

I didn't make it.

I got out three books and the novella. I'm still writing the fourth and since it was so late it's looking like a spring release.

And I'm fine with it.

Years ago, I'd be freaked, or at the least feel like a failure. Or would have tried to destroy myself and write a bad book just to meet my self imposed deadline. Nope. I'm still damn proud of what I did accomplish. And this book I'm working on is the final Lost Ancients book--so there is no way I'm playing fast and loose with it. Just like Defiant Ruin which came out in October was the final book in the Asarlai Wars trilogy. I took my time with it (and got banned from Amazon pre-orders for a year for my diligence. Eh, I'm okay with that too.).

I also gained an agent this year. She's the one who will look at audio and foreign rights (you know anyone who wants those, I can send you her way ;)). She'll also see about possibly selling a few new projects to trads next year when they're ready. There's no way I'd give up self-publishing --but a good trad contract can help build exposure. Emphasis on good. If that doesn't happen, they will be coming out my way. Advantage of having a number of successful indie books out--I know it can be done. I'm not going to look at a bad offer just to get my books out there.

That sort of describes 2018 writing-wise for me. I have nine books and a novella out. I KNOW I can do this. I also now know it's the journey of doing it that's important. 

Happy IWSG day!

#IWSG--Creativity

Welcome to the monthly round-up of writers known as the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Join us!

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This being November, aka NaNoWriMo month, this will be short--I need to save my words to get the book done!

Today I wanted to talk about how my creativity has changed since I first started (yes, that's a prompt from IWSG ;)).

I've been writing a very long time, so going back to the very beginning would be painful...and I probably forgot it anyway ;).

 For me the changes occurred as I gained confidence that there were total strangers out there who enjoyed my work and as my skill grew (yes, I am going back to those olden days I said I couldn't recall ;)).  The better I understood craft, the easier it was to let my creativity grow.

It's easier to be creative and wild with skills to back it up ;).

I'd say over all, my creativity might not have changed--but my ability to access it has :)

Happy IWSG Day!