Today is December's contribution to Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group.
Why am I an Insecure Writer this month?
Because slow writers like me are fighting an uphill battle.
I’ve posted before about being a slow writer, and when that slowness is coupled with a busy schedule, progress on my WIP often drops to a snail’s pace. And this year has been particularly vexing in that regard. (The details will be the topic of a future post.) Nevertheless, I've come to accept being a slow writer. It's who I am. Of course, I still fantasize that one day I’ll be a fast writer, but I’m not holding my breath.
But in these heady days of publishing—especially self-publishing—everything I read suggests an author needs to be prolific to be successful. Book promotions, for instance, are often a waste of time unless the author has several books available for purchase. Several books? Yikes! At the rate I’m going, I’ll be retired before I finish three books.
Hmmm. The time I’m spending on this post is already making me antsy. I think perhaps I should wrap up this post and get back to my story.
What about you guys? Does not having a lot of published books worry you? Do you feel pressured to finish books as quickly as you can?
Ken, I'm also a slow writer. My first book took 3 years. And I'm am getting faster and improving. I noticed you're at 33500, words that's very good. At one point it will be an easy downhill slide, really. I have one book published with another due out on Feb. 1. (But that one was written well over a year ago) Marketing is the pits and sales are slow for unknown author's such as myself. Good Luck to you. Just Follow your dreams.
ReplyDeleteThat 33500 words number has been stuck there for a long time, which is one of the reasons I'm so insecure. Thanks for posting.
DeleteWell, you know the answer to your questions from reading my blog. I still get a bit antsy when I'm not writing my book every day or visiting blogs all the time to keep up with everyone. Then, I take a step back and reevaluate myself and my life as it is. I realize, it's okay to be a slow writer as long as I'm enjoying myself. And, I am!
ReplyDelete(Feelings are apt to change at any moment. Today I'm just feeling good about being a slow writer. Tomorrow, well, that's another story). ha ha!
Yep. Sometimes I feel like I have all the time in the world, and at other times I feel like time is running out. Maybe everyone will stop buying books by the time my book comes out. Arrrggg! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI do feel antsy about creating a body of work for myself. That's one of the reasons I keep writing even while I'm submitting. Not to mention that if something isn't going to sell (and I've had those) I don't want to waste too much time on it. I know I'm getting closer and I know that I write faster now than I used to.
ReplyDeleteLet me ask you a question. If you had an agent or publisher clamoring for your next book, don't you think that would motivate you to write faster? I definitely think so! We just need that clamor!
--December IWSG co-host
Wouldn't make much of a difference to me. I'm ready to write pretty much at any time. It's just that I don't have much time and the words still come very slowly. Although I suppose that if a publisher was clamoring for my next book, I'd find a way to make more time.
DeleteI know how you feel! A book every other year is just not going to cut it, but I just can't write any faster. We'll just focus on quality, all right?
ReplyDeleteIn your case, I think you got the marketing ball rolling even before your second book came out. Well done!
DeleteNothing wrong with being slow--after all, slow and steady wins the race, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy if I were just competing in the race. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOh, no, I forgot to post IWSG. We're still between houses until a few days before Christmas. If you ask me, your slow is better than my none at all. I'm hoping to change that once we're settled into a house again, but I'm slow at settling too.
ReplyDeleteJust get yourself settled soon. I may have some chapters to send you in the near future.
DeleteI believe that with every word you write, you get better and quicker, even if only a tiny degree. Your pace and your collection is your own, not to be compared to anyone else. Tolkein took 20 years to finish three books. And though he didn't see it in his lifetime, The Lord of the Rings revolutionized the fantasy genre.
ReplyDelete20 years to finish three books is pretty close to my pace right now. Hopefully I can get faster at this stuff.
DeleteKen, we've talked about being a slow writer before, because I'm right there with you. But...Rome wasn't built in a day is how I look at it. I too, wish I would write faster, get some stories under my belt. I can only take it as fast as I can take it. It'll happen.
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer
I'm come to accept my slowness, but I needed something to write about this month for IWSG. :)
DeleteI'm curious as to what makes you a slow writer. Do you go back and micro edit? Or does your muse not show up when you want it to?
ReplyDeleteMy slowness comes from an inability to convert the ideas in my head into words on the page that don't read like a high school student wrote them. And filling in the details of a scene takes me forever.
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