Is anybody elses’ creativity tapped out now? If so, join the club. I saw in a recent newsletter that the “end of year writing slump” is a real, and it offered tips on overcoming this unique form of writer’s block to keep pushing forward and churning out that daily word count.
But should we?
One thing I’ve learned over the past 22 years of writing is that there are times and seasons for everything in writing just like the rest of life, and usually this slump encourages me to do more work on book promotion – which is pretty handy, because the final quarter of the year is when book sales peak. I trade creating new characters and worlds for connecting with readers. I was blessed to get a flattering author interview with The Reader's House, a London literary magazine, last week. I find it refreshing to take a break from “my own worlds” to embrace reality and connect with others. It gives me inspiration to write again once the new year rolls around.
Or for revisions, which I did while I was off work last week. It was nice to have plenty of free time to complete a good, deep revision of Singularity, and to send it off for beta reads. Entrada had a Black Friday sale on beta reads last week, which inspired me to get to work on that manuscript and get it out for reader feedback sooner rather than later. It’s been assigned now, so there’s no going back. I usually work on it more before taking this step, but that sale was too good to turn down, and I also wondered if it would be helpful to get that feedback sooner in the writing process. For better or worse, I’ll learn valuable lessons soon.
I’ve never been one for “daily word counts” because I find it confining. I’d rather let my inspiration flow freely, without expectation. Now is about revision, improvement of existing works, research, and promotion. New words will flow when it’s their turn to go. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy what I’m doing, read, and embrace this reality in the light of the holiday season. It’s good to do that every now and then.
I say enjoy the holidays. Do your thing, and please don't squeeze the muse. Give it and yourself a break to connect with this reality. That's how you grow.
That’s all today. Take care, and have a great week.
Bye!
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