Writers frequently complain about having writers block. We bemoan the loss of our muse and we sip scotch from hand cut crystal glasses. We leaf through travel brochures trying to decide which tropical island our muse has flown to and whether our muse would run from coconut scent sun screen or should we buy the unscented?
We wallow in creative angst desperate to reconnect to the creative flow of the universe, that magical life-affirming energy which is our crack. With a soul-weary sigh, we fondle the keys on our laptop and try to stifle the tears of loss as our inspired genius remains silent and elusive.
And that, boys and girls, is what writer’s block looks like to a writer. And it is very difficult, and a total crock, but still challenging for a writer to work through.
I, however, do not suffer from existential, soul draining writers block. I suffer from pouter’s block: yes it’s a real thing!
You see I have difficulty blending reality and fantasy. Shocking, I know. I did my research and I fully understood that as a new indie author the average number of books I was going to sell would be around 80. I knew in the small logical portion of my brain that I would need to have several books for sale, and continue to build my brand/platform/presence. I was aware this would take time and work.
However, in the interest of “knowing my goals,” “creative visualization,” and The Secret, I was already thinking about what I would wear on my interview with Oprah, plotting the terms I would need to have in my movie contract, and worrying if I could be clever enough to be on Rove. He’s so sharp!
My husband in his wisdom said, “Don’t worry; once you have about twenty books for sale, then you’ll be bringing in a good income.”
20!!!! Does he know how much time a book takes to write, edit, and publish? OMG! That’s forever! I’ll be dead before I reach 20 books!
And so, even though I know I would continue to do what I love even if I didn’t get paid, because writing is my passion, my art, and the only way to quiet the voices in my head, the hope/dream/expectation of more makes me long for what I don’t have instead of enjoying where I’m at.
So for now, I will tuck away my Oprah outfit and enjoy this time to do some more crunches, I’ve heard the camera adds 10 lbs! I will refine my “deal breakers for a movie contract, and I will watch more Rove and read lots of witty stuff so I can be a fabulous guest and will be asked back.
How do you balance your hopes and dreams with reality? Are you able to see this as a step towards your goals or are you curled in a ball eating Ho-Ho’s and Cheetos?
I ignore the fantasy. I’m working hard at getting more books out there and I try to keep the marketing going. I do my bookkeeping, so I know how much I’ve made, and how many books I’ve sold. But beyond that, I ignore it. I don’t check my Amazon ranking. There’s not a thing I can do about it that I’m not already doing, so why obsess?
I would like to be this grounded. Thankfully I have grounded people around me. I don;t check my ranking- mostly cause I don’t know how LOL 🙂
My entire Oprah appearance plan involves stress-eating beforehand and then buying and wearing as much shapewear as I can get on my body to whip it into a pretty figure. Forget that camera’s 10 pounds; I’ll fight back by shifting 20 pounds around to where they belong! LOL.
You know, I was just telling my son yesterday that a lot of famous singers don’t hit until their 3rd, 4th, or 5th album. And often those who look like the just debuted played in small clubs for years before they got noticed. It does take time, but patience is tough to have. Keep planning your interview! Dream big. 🙂
Shapewear- what a great idea then I don;t have to give up snickers bars 🙂 It’s true all artists have to create, explore, and put out there work long before they are ‘suddenly discovered’ But still I want to have my Oprah dress ready just in case 🙂