I actually struggled quite a bit with the topic for this post. I blog often enough. I contribute to Tory's blog all the time. For me, ideas tend to show up out of nowhere - some happening will inspire a series of thoughts, which ultimately leads to an 'aha' moment, then I whip out my phone and type notes like a madman. However, the thought of writing a guest post for someone else's site added a new element of pressure for some reason, and I couldn't figure out why. I pondered this over my morning coffee (on the due date for this post, with nary a word written), and I ultimately related this to a similar experience I’ve had when writing fiction. It all came together at once, then I knew what I wanted to write about.

Sometimes, as writers, it’s easy to focus too heavily on our end goal and lose track of what’s right in front of us.

I want to finish my book. I’ll need to edit it, over and over and over. I want to publish. I want to sell lots of copies. I want people to read it. I want to know what they think. I want to query. I want an agent to request my full MS. I want a book deal. I want three book deals. I want a book tour.

Regardless of your journey, you are writing for a reason - I know you want to see your story finished just as much as we all want to see our own work flourish. The problem is, if we focus too much on where it's going once it’s done, then we are essentially driving this little splinter in between ourselves and our work that can keep us from completely connecting.

 I’ll explain.

Think about some of the best lines you’ve ever written. What were you thinking about when those lines came out? Were you thinking, “I want to sell a hundred copies on release day,” or were you in the throes of your narrative, living in your character’s skin and thinking his or her thoughts? Were you focused on the editing you will have to do once the first draft is complete, or were your hair follicles tingling from excitement at the next turn in the story? To truly and genuinely put our best into our work, I believe it takes a detachment from the end result - creation for the sake of creation.

It’s easy to get lost in this. It’s easy to get so focused on how it should be done, i.e. plotting vs. pantsing, do I need an editor or beta readers or both, should I self publish or query, should I write chapter outlines before I actually write the book - there are so many instructionals available, and there is such a plethora of advice, that it’s easy to feel like we should be able to find the one true golden nugget, the tablet that tells us how to do it, start to finish, to become a bestseller, and we all want it so bad, and we all try so hard, and on Twitter people are getting book deals and agents every day, and what am I doing wrong…nothing, you are doing nothing wrong and all you can do is create and give it your best and learn along the way.

…nothing, you are doing nothing wrong and all you can do is create and give it your best and learn along the way.

Writing is hard. Publishing is hard. Getting your name out there is hard. Yes, you can read how it’s been done, but that doesn’t mean it’s all going to work for you. I’ve spoken on this before, but I recommend consuming as much advice as you can, in any form, then take your own path and incorporate whatever feels right. It never hurts to learn new things, but don’t ever think you have to do something one certain way to achieve your goal. The big timers are the ones who give us things we never knew we wanted. Surprise people and tell your story to the world.

If you're still here, thank you for sticking with me. I hope you found some bit of inspiration, and I hope you check out some of the other posts going up on this blog. A lot of people are going to be sharing perspectives and advice this month, and if you're truly trying to enhance your craft, every bit of it is another breadcrumb to help you along your path. I appreciate all of you and wish you the best.

As always, with love,
WB Welch

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