Sometimes you don’t realize how much pressure you are under until it isn’t there anymore. When that happens, and if you pay attention going forward, you become much more sensitive when the potential for pressure to creep back returns.
It’s been an eye opening start to 2019, and I want to be very intentional going forward. With that in mind, I am sad to say that my publishing plans for this year have been delayed.
BUT this is a GREAT thing!
2019 already feels like my best year ever. Many of you are aware that earlier this month I started a new job. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love the work itself, I love the interaction I have with my customers, employees, and co-workers, and the location I’ve been assigned to is right back in my hometown. I feel like I’ve come home in so many ways.
When I made the career move, my commute went from 30 minutes a day to almost 2 hours, and my work day extended by 2 full hours. Which means I have surrendered 4 hours of my day to be part of a company I am excited about. Even after losing 4 hours per day, in the 6 weeks since I left my previous employer, my house is cleaner and tidier (Thank you, Marie Kondo!), I’ve eaten more home cooked meals, and I have felt more energized than I have in a very long time.
But – the pressure to get book 4 done by the end of the year loomed heavily on me, and until yesterday, I felt the anxiety and dread creeping up. That’s not how I want to feel about my writing, so I have made the decision to remove that pressure from myself.
Two of those four hours a day I’ve given up for my job were previously dedicated to my writing. Over the past three weeks, I have tried valiantly to find a way to make up for that loss of writing time, and it has become blatantly obvious it’s just not possible right now.
I enjoy writing, and I want to keep it that way. My energy and creativity is currently being directed toward maximizing the benefits of the changes in my schedule and acclimating to my new position. Trying to force words onto a page is certainly possible but they would not be my best, and you deserve my best.
I am NOT stopping! I am still writing nearly every day. Baden, Dani, Zane, Alexander and the rest of the Cotiere cast of characters are all very talkative. I have every intention of finishing the series and going on to write all the other stories in my Work In Progress files. It’s just going to take a bit longer than originally intended.
I have a scaled back writing schedule in place, and I feel good about the progress I’ve made. I also know you are going to LOVE the new characters and story line. Baden’s story is going to be my best book yet!
This is the second time I have delayed publication of a title because I knew the book wouldn’t be ready when I originally said it would be. Writing 5 full novels and a novella has taught me that I have to do this at my own pace. Sometimes the words will fly out, and I will be able to publish books back to back. But the reality is – my personal life is more important. My husband needs me to be present, my house needs me to be intentional, and my new job deserves the very best I have to offer.
And so do you, my dear reader. I promise your patience will pay off!
If you are not subscribed to my monthly newsletter, now would be a great time to do so. Earlier this month, I sent out a free novella, The Dance. If you were not a subscriber for January, sign up now, and I will make sure you get a copy! I know you’ll love Zane and Ivy.
In future issues, you will know exactly what project I am currently working on; including updated word counts, new character profiles, and exclusive previews of scenes as I write. My newsletter will be the ONLY place you will get these things, so click HERE to sign up today!
It is also interesting to note that my new boss chose a “Word of The Year” for our team. That word?
FOCUS.
I think he chose very wisely.
Faith. Hope. Love.
MLB