The hardest part of the writing process.

Elizabeth's question for me: In your opinion, what is the hardest part of the writing process?

My answer: Disassociation from what is happening around you.

It's far too easy to compare yourself to other authors and what they are doing, and how far they seem to have gotten in their career when you feel like you haven't moved an inch. As a self-published author, especially, you can't avoid noticing these things, because you have to be online and looking at newsfeeds and keeping up to date with what is happening where and with whom as part of your marketing research. The tricky part is not taking it seriously; disentangling yourself from it. It's easy to start to feel down about it all, particularly if you're a competitive and ambitious person; particularly if you have bills to pay, and you feel time slipping from your grasp...

Disassociate. Let it go, and be true to yourself.

Like any industry, publishing is a game. If you actually want to "win" you have to play the game and stick to the rules. Here's a tip: change the meaning of "win" to align with your heart's needs, and then make your own rules. Now you have a game worth winning.

Releasing The Past...

Firstly, my apologies for not posting yesterday. I had every intention of doing so in the evening, but I overestimated myself.

I was at a funeral yesterday - a family member's funeral. My partner's mother. My daughter's grandmother. And the service was beautiful, as was the woman it was for. I will never forget, and will always be grateful for, the way she welcomed me into the family with open arms :)

Perhaps it is needless to say that by the end of the day I was exhausted (obviously we all were), but I was, and I didn't think I would be quite as exhausted as I was. I still am in fact. My mind is wandering, I'm restless (despite being tired) and I can't seem to focus on any one thing.

I have Rogue Rider sitting here waiting for me to read it. It's been here for damn near a month now, but I have not been able to start it. I want to. I'd like to chill out for a few hours and read a book from a favourite author straight through, but for some reason, I'm anxious about relaxing. I guess it's because for the past month, we haven't really been able to. So now, it feels strange to...

Cry Of The Wolf is banging away inside my head ready to explode. I just know that when I write it, it'll all come pouring out - it has that feel to it - but I'm not in the right place to write at the moment.

Releasing The Wolf has done really well on publication and I'm over the moon :) Looking back, I'm not entirely sure how I got it finished, but writing can be like that. When you do it, you're in it one hundred percent.

I'm sure I'm being impatient with myself (as usual). I need to let go of everything for a bit and quiet my mind.

So this is me gone for the rest of the night: I am going to attempt Rogue Rider - finally. May the power of words do its thing. If it does, you won't hear from me tomorrow morning either ;)

Dianna x