As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with a chronic illness that spun out of control and landed me in the hospital for a week in August. I hadn’t written any fiction for a long time before that, and when I got out of the hospital, I realized that my days of writing in glorious bursts of inspiration were probably over. Which was depressing.
But any time life knocks you down, you have to figure out how to adapt. I love writing, and I didn’t want to stop, so what do I do now?
Get to the next page. That’s my new work ethic. Pick a story and sit down every day to write with the goal of getting to the next page in the chapter, or manuscript or whatever. If I write more, great! But at least I’m always making progress.
So that’s my current philosophy. It’s slow, and can be frustrating as hell (remember that halcyon time when I would average a chapter a week, maybe more?), but I’m making progress. I’m adapting.
Just thought I’d share. 🙂
Just wanted to say hi and hope you’re doing better soon.
I’m glad to hear you’re still writing. I really love your writing. Want Me and Warm Rush especially are two of my favorite books. I look forward to reading what you write next whenever you get it finished.
@Brian – Thank you for your kind words. 🙂
It’s good to hear that you’re doing better. Please take care of your health and I hope you continue to recuperate well. It’s tough to struggle with finding inspiration, but I’m glad you’re fighting through it. Your writing is so wonderfully addictive; it would be a shame if we couldn’t read more of it!
Thank you! I love writing more than just about anything, so figuring out a way to keep doing it is def important to me.
That sounds incredibly frustrating. I know from personal exerience that it’s difficult to celebrate accomplishments that you feel are smaller than what you were able to accomplish in the past. Keep up the positive mentality! I look forward to reading your next work when it’s out. Whenever that may be!
@Chris Muldoon – I do feel they’re smaller and it *is* frustrating. But it took me almost a year to write “Paul’s Dream” and that was a really good book. So I’m hopeful slow and steady will work out for me.
Thank you for your understanding!
Hi Rowan. I’m so sad to hear about your illness and writer’s block. I wanted you to know that I was a HUGE fan of you work on MG.org and have recently been reacquainted with your writings through your website/books. Warm Rush literally left me sad by the end. Sad that I didn’t have more time to share with your magnificent characters!
I hope you get your rhythm back (even if in smaller bursts). I really really really want to see Michael grow up, and Avery open up about those scars. Wink wink. 🙂
Again…you have a truly inspired reader here.
Thanks ,
AC