I'm always working on a novel. Right now I'm editing Book 2, Iridescence (working title) of my Janey McCallister Space Station Mystery series.
First I print out pages and do messy hand edits. Then I input my edits into the Word document and print out pages again for my first reader, my husband, Ezra. Then I input his changes and send out my pages to my Early Readers Group and my critique group. And I'm far from done.
But each and every day, it's not easy to rev up -- to get to work on my book. So many doubts plague me. It's the middle of the book; it's the second book of four; what if this series isn't any good?; this is taking so long. There's so much world building still to do. And does my romance arc even make sense? And what about my villains? Are they strong enough?
Since I'm mostly a seat of the pants writer during rewrites, I have to slog my way through these questions no matter what. There is no way around the hard work of thinking and writing, writing and discovering, and telling myself the story as I go.
To handle these doubts and to check in with myself each day (I work on my book 4 to 6 days a week), I ask myself: - Is this the right time to be working on my book? Usually the answer is: Yes.
- What is in my capacity to do today? Usually more than I think. So I start with less than I think I can do, and often surprise myself with going beyond.
- What is the right timing for this whole project? I only know that I need to work on it, or it won't get done.
- How can I be present to the right timing of my writing? The only way I know how is by writing.
What is your right timing for your writing? How do you listen to yourself? What is your right timing for your writing saying to you right now?
If you're so moved, hit reply and let me know the answers to these questions. I'd love to know.
♥
If you notice it's the right time to get more support, find camaraderie, get more accountable to your writing goals, and get your novel ready for publishing, then check out our Group Coaching Program for Genre Novelists. Registration is now open for the 2018-2019 program, which officially starts Feb. 1st, 2018.
Especially for genre novelists, our 12-month Group Program caters to writers who want to work in a small online group and are looking for support from experienced working novelists.
That's me and my husband, Ezra Barany, also an award-winning novelist and master teacher. Between the two of us, we've written in six genres and published in five of them. And combined, we've published over 20 books. Also, we've taught hundreds of writers over the last 11 years. Oh, and currently, our books are being translated into Danish, Russian, and German.
The main requirement for this program is that you have completed at least one fiction manuscript, or equivalent. This program is for dedicated novelists.
Kate joined our program to get over her procrastination and she finished her novel.
Hugh joined to get over the daunting task of writing and editing a novel. He wrote his book and is now deep in edits, happily so. He never thought he'd ever be able to get this far on his own.
Patricia says, "I wasn’t sure I would finish the work when I started, but once I began Beth’s program I was able to progress at a steady pace."
Eve writes: "When I started, I didn’t have a clue as to how to proceed on finishing my book. Having completed the [program], I have a clear vision for my book, am writing every day, and accomplishing the goals that I have set for myself..."
If you're ready now to sign up at any of our 4 levels by tonight, December 15, 2017, 9 pm Pacific, you can take advantage of these 4 Early Bird Registration bonuses.
Here are the 4 bonuses: - Complimentary (yes, free) December 2017 and January 2018 membership (up to $1200 value)
- Complimentary pass to the Jan-Mar EDIT YOUR NOVEL course + a live edit of 2 pages of your work, either in class or 1-1 ($800 value)
- Complimentary passes to all live courses we offer 2018 (over $1000 value)
- A 1-hour coaching/consulting session with Beth Barany via phone or Zoom ($350 value)
Act tonight, Dec. 15th, 9pm Pacific to take advantage of these bonuses and of last year’s pricing.
After Dec. 15th, the Early Bird Bonuses go away and the program prices go up.
If you have any questions and want to know if this program is right for you, contact me and I’ll help you sort it out.
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