I should have posted this earlier, I know, but I’m still posting about October creative challenges just in case anyone wants to jump in as a creative participant or as a creative cheerleader (ideally BOTH, of course!). Suggestions on how to start participating as a latecomer: Don’t stress about it. . . .
Happy New Year, all! Not making any New Year’s Resolutions. Things went VERY wonky last year, but I’m heading into this fresh, shiny new year with cautious optimism. How about you?
If you are doing NaNoWriMo this year, good luck! Though chances are good you don’t have the time to read this blog post. If you attempted NaNoWriMo and gave up partway through, or avoided doing it at all because you knew you wouldn’t have the time, don’t abandon all hope! . . .
To others who go thru self-doubt during the creative process: be kind to yourself & stay in your bubble while creating. Revise/angst about the industry LATER.
Writers & illustrators: It’s tough sometimes (especially on social media re: publication news, book lists, awards etc), but try very hard to RESIST COMPARING YOURSELF TO OTHERS. Focus on enjoying your own journey. You may be luckier than you think.
My home studio is a cluttered basement office underground with no windows. Well, there ARE windows but the view is either blocked or covered up. Sometimes I work to silence, but I’m always leery about getting TOO used to working this way because I want to be able to work . . .
Writers: Be aware when research/prep turns into procrastination. Ask yourself: “What are you afraid of?” JUST JUMP IN. You can revise later. (And YES, I speak from experience….)
No guarantee that my middle grade novel will ever be published; that’s out of my control. I’m trying to focus on what I can control: (1) Writing the best book I possibly can, and (2) FINISHING the book.