I've Got Atychiphobia. What About You?

I haven't started writing yet (or plotting!), and I find myself stuck. No, not by writer's block. Something even worse, in my opinion.

I'm scared of failing. Of being rejected, again.

To give you an update, I've pulled AFTER ALICE from the querying trenches and placed it safely on the shelf. Lots of rejections later, I realized my manuscript wasn't as ready to face the publishing guns as I thought.

Now, as I begin to plot THESE WICKED WATERS, I keep putting the actual planning off. I always find something else to do. Clean, pin on Pinterest for inspiration, mess with my newly short hair... 

The list goes on and on. I'm aware of what I'm doing. And even more aptly aware of my procrastination's sickly cause.

Hello, atychiphobia: the fear of failing.

Being afraid of failure before actually starting something is irrational. 

Tell that to my fingers who refuse to type when I want them to.

I know, in the end, I'll conquer my fear of failure and write. How, you ask?

I've got a strict schedule set before me with an actual deadline. It's the only thing I can think of to give me a much needed shove into writing again.

Ready?

January 31: Finish plotting THESE WICKED WATERS (TWW)

February 1-28: Write TWW in its entirety

March 1-8: Take a break and seek out Beta readers

March 9-18: Edit TWW

March 19: Pass out TWW to Beta Readers

March 19-May 30: Word on editing AFTER ALICE & SHATTERED

May 31: Get TWW back from Beta Readers 

June 1: Begin edits on TWW

July 31: Submit TWW & SHATTERED into Critique My Novel's annual contest

Phew. Just looking at all those dates and tasks refocuses my attention. Forget failure, I'm going to be busy!

So, maybe you're struggling with atychiphobia. If not in writing, another area of your life. Don't let it control you. Give yourself a challenge with accountability partners. In my case, the contest deadline.

To snag a quote from a fellow writer, Mandy Hale, "It's okay to be scared. Being scared means you're about to do something really, really brave."

Too In Love

I've entered different territory in the sequel I'm writing. The first book hinted at a romance between my two main characters. This second one cements it and makes them a "couple," so to speak. I have to say, it's super fun to write. Yes, I am a huge romantic.

                                         

The one thing I'm wary about is making it too over-the-top. I'm not writing a romance novel, but a young adult retelling of a classic. A touch of romance is great, but a cup full would be overdoing it.

                                        

Which is why I ensure there are different types of relationship in my book, and that the romance aspect isn't the most important one.

There are close friendships.

                                        

There are enemies.

                                        

There are people who were once in love,  but were driven apart by twists of fate.

                                       

There are individuals who plainly don't like each other, but work together for a common goal.

So as you're writing, check yourself. Make sure more than one type of relationship maintains dominance in your story. Don't be like those TV shows where the couple finally gets together and everything gets boring.

Happy Writing!

A Writer's Wounds

I got another rejection yesterday.

Well, more like yesterday at 5 AM. Why did I voluntarily put my email on my phone again?

The rejection stung particularly more than the others. Why? Because now I only have one submission out, a full request. Of course there are still some odd twenty query letters awaiting responses, but still. The realization that I might not get an offer of representation for "After Alice" was terrifying.

               

It still is, honestly.

I allowed myself to mope for an hour or two. I googled "way to deal with rejection" and all the sucess stories of writers who were rejected tons of times. I even contemplated the possibility of driving to the store and purchasing Woe-Is-Me Chips (aka Cool Ranch Doritos). Luckily for my waistline, I didn't.

                                

Instead I started writing "Shattered," the sequel to "After Alice" and the book I'm doing for NaNoWriMo. At first the words didn't flow.

And then they did. Oh, yes they did!

Yesterday, in the midst of my despair and self-doubt, I hammered out over 6,000 words in five hours. And by the end of the night, I didn't care what any agents thought about my book. I know it's worth publishing, I've just got to make them realize that too.

                      

Thank You, Elementary

I'm a huge fan of anything Sherlock Holmes. Not that I've ever read the books (it's on my bucket list, okay?), but I love the spin-off TV shows. Sherlock, Psych (it sort of counts), and Elementary.

                                                       

Earlier this week I got season two of Elementary out at the library. Commence binge watching. 15+ episodes in three days. Huge accomplishment. Now you can probably see why I was so behind on my NaNo-ing!

                                          

Anyway, in one episode, Sherlock was trying to solve a particularly difficult case. Watson came downstairs to see Sherlock doing sit ups and push ups. Sherlock explained that physical activity helps get blood flow to the brain, which aids in thinking.

                              

Elementary, my dear Watson.

So what have I been doing before I sit down at my desk to write?

I stretch.

I do push ups.

I do sit ups.

                                             

Then I get a glass of water and start working. The difference between "warming up" before writing and just sitting down is enormous.

Give it a try. You may be as surprised--and efficient--when you start writing as I was.

Rocking My NaNo

Okay, that title was false advertising. I'll admit it.

Am I on track to finish by the infamous November 30 deadline? You bet! Did I sprint out of the word count gate on November 1? Not so much. Because I'm a fan of self-inflicted humbling here's my word count chart so far.

Yup. Those first two days, I didn't write. At all. Then I wrote a lot and managed to catch up, even get ahead. Then I didn't write anything on Sunday. Laziness and Procrastination were paying me a lengthy 24 hour visit.

                                       

But that's how it works with NaNoWriMo. You get behind, catch up, get ahead, and fall behind again. Or maybe you're one of those insanely awesome people who have already hit your 50,000 word mark.

                                        

No matter what word count is reached come November 30, the point is that major writing was done. And I plan to blow 50,000 words out of the water. Or so I hope.

So excuse me while I bang my hands against a keyboard and attempt to make words.

Preferably words that make sense.

Slogging Through the Slush

So last week I entered the miry trenches of querying. I was so involved I forgot to do a post last Thursday.

                                     

But here I am now! That has to count for something, right?

Here are so updates for you so we can commiserate together. Over the last week I have received the following:

Query Rejections: 18
Full Requests: 2

You know that sound Lucy makes in I Love Lucy where she messes up pretty bad and Ricky finds out? Yeah, cue that.

                                     

Not as stellar as I was hoping. In fact, I was pretty annoyed/frustrated/depressed/melancholy over it this weekend. Especially since my novel for NaNo happens to be the sequel to After Alice (my querying manuscript). My family tried to cheer me up, but it didn't really work. I was determined to be pessimistic.

                                   

Then I got to talking to this writer on twitter then on NaNo's website. She probbaly doesn't realize how much she boosted my spirits, but shout outs to her website! She's querying too, so we commiserated and she reminded me how cool of an idea After Alice is.

Maybe you're wondering what the point of this post is? Well, let me sum it up for you in one sentence. When braving the querying trenches, have a fellow writer/soldier at your side, it works wonders.

Unfortunately, I'm still going to jump every time my phone vibrates...

                                   

Vlog #3: Why I Want You to NaNoWriMo