C. Sloan Lewis | Your Virtual Writing Coach

Don’t Forget to Keep Writing

Preoccupied with the rewrite of my book, researching about self-publishing, and building my author brand, I nearly forgot the most important part of all this: to keep writing. Really, the consensus, no matter which successful author you ask, is: “Did you just finish that project you’ve been working on for weeks/months/years? Great! Now get back to writing.”

Even though I know that consistent writing is #1 in developing and maintaining yourself as an author (I wrote a post about this very idea a couple months ago), it is one of those easier-said-than-done phenomena. It is difficult to jump back and forth from writing new ideas to revising/editing your older work, the thing that you are working tirelessly at to get ready for publishing. But as tough as it is, we have to do it.

One of my biggest excuses for not continuing on with my writing is that I didn’t want to get distracted with a new story or write the next book without fully locking down the first one. However, even though I specialize in novel writing, it doesn’t have to be another novel that I work on. There are poems, short stories, essays, and writing exercises, like practicing descriptive writing, that I can engage in while finishing my book.

The great things about these other forms of writing is that they will help me develop writing muscles that I might not often use or need to be developing more of to help my novel writing. With writing exercises, I can pick and choose which areas of writing I need to improve on and zero in on them. With short stories, I can practice writing complete stories more quickly on a smaller scale. With poems, I can play around with literary devices and rhythm. With essays, I can work through ideas that I could later incorporate into my fiction.

Going forward, I am going to aim for 500 words a day. This is something that’s completely doable and won’t take too much time away from my WIP. Then, when my WIP is all polished up and ready for publishing, then I can jump straight into the next book. Have you ever seen runners running in place while they wait for the light at a crosswalk? It’s the same thing, but at least no one sees us looking silly.

C. Sloan Lewis
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3 responses to “Don’t Forget to Keep Writing”

  1. Matt Berger Avatar
    Matt Berger

    As a fellow Writer, I gently push back on this. 🙂

    Yes, like any skill, writing requires practice to remain sharp, and it requires discipline to see to the end.

    But capital-W Writers also need to avoid that most Western-capitalist of syndromes:

    BURNOUT

    My wife Nell is great at reminding me to step away briefly when “fun” becomes “tedious slog.” Obviously, there are situations in which that is not possible; one has obligations to fulfill. But imposing a “have-to” on the creative process can backfire quickly.

    Like you (congratulations!), I just completed a major writing project; in fact, I “launch” Interrogating Memory on May 20 (hardcover/dust jacket, that is – eBook should be available for purchase in about three weeks).

    But like Robert Redford at the end of THE CANDIDATE, I find myself asking, OK, now what?

    Well, I have three or four new books swirling around in my head. Each will probably require two years to research, write and edit. The good news: as I slowly figure out the self-publishing process – and I am happy to share whatever I have learned – that particular stressor fades away. I can simply focus on the “fun” stuff.

    At this moment, though, I am daunted by diving back into any of them.

    Fine, I can write some essays on Just Bear With Me. Except, even that feels like too much right now. Which is why I am taking a short break from the process to work on some data projects, finish the books in my “to read” pile, enjoy the spring…and generally catch my breath.

    Of course, there are always writing opportunities: tweets, e-mails, endless unwanted comments on better-written websites. And those data projects will likely yield JBWM essays…because I cannot help myself. 🙂

    But this writing is “want-to,” not “have-to.”

    We in the capitalist West are programmed to understand “work” in terms of hours invested, sweat produced and exhaustion suffered. Creators thus feel they have to work MORE and LONGER and HARDER to meet this standard. Because somehow mental effort is not **really** work.

    Hogwash. Stuff and nonsense. Bull pucky. Absurd, ridiculous and just plain wrong.

    The creative process should not, I argue, be judged by words written or hours logged, it should be judged by the quality of the output: better to write 50 excellent words in a month than 5,000 mediocre – or worse – ones.

    In short, write *when and only when* you have something to say, not because you have a schedule to maintain or a quota to meet (again excepting contractual obligations)…the rest will take care of itself.

    To me, this is the first, last and only really important “rule” about writing.

    [I apologize for going on so long – but a) you always provide food for thought and b) I have been thinking *a great deal* about the writing process lately, and from every angle. Rewatching HAMMETT recently, I was struck by how much it is a meta-commentary on the act of writing itself. And then there is our utterly asinine system of reward and rejection. So, being a Writer, I seize opportunities to organize my thoughts. But if I prattle on in an unwelcome way, please tell me. I will stop. 🙂 ]

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    1. C. Sloan Lewis Avatar
      C. Sloan Lewis

      A lot of great insight here! Burnout is definitely a big issue that a lot of people struggle with but not enough people are talking about, so I am glad you brought that up! Everyone’s writing journey takes on different forms, and after posting this, I did realize I was making a bit to hard of a line on this idea. For me, I think there is so much good in writing to write, even when you have nothing to say because it allows you to explore ideas and practice writing skills that you might not pursue otherwise. But, this is unique to me and writers like me and does not work for everyone. Congrats on finishing your writing project, and best of luck with moving forward to those other novel ideas!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Matt Berger Avatar
        Matt Berger

        Well said, thank you. My basic point is that when “writing to write” becomes more grueling than elating, step back and breathe – opportunities to write have a way of making themselves known. Also, I must correct you on something – I write non-fiction, not novels; it is a pet peeve of mine that “writing” automatically equates to “fiction” in too many minds. I encourage you to explore my website – justbearwithme.blog – to learn more.

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