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How Not To Be A Writer - A (bad) day in the life of a typical author

The first thing I do each morning is make a strong cup of tea. I think about what I'm going to write as I drink it. So far so good. I have a quick look through social media, and two hours later I'm ready to write. So, I write my Facebook and Twitter posts, and then I'm ready to write. For real this time. Until I read through what I wrote the day before. so there's only one thing for it at this point:


Fingers poised over the keyboard, I hesitate. Maybe I should just check out Facebook. Again. Just to see if anything important has cropped up that I need to be reading about.


I was right, there was. But now it's time to write. My book. So, I finally manage to get a few words down on the screen. A lack of self confidence has taken over though. I think back to my first two books and panic. I felt like this when writing the first, but I was learning how to actually write a book, for God's sake. And truth be told, I couldn't really imagine anyone reading it at that stage. With the second, I got on with it straight after publishing the first so didn't have much time to think. But I did have days like this when I thought I couldn't do it, and that it was rubbish. Amazingly readers seem to be enjoying the books. Some are asking when this book will be ready to publish. This is my dream come true...but also a nightmare! What if they hate book three? What if they think it's nowhere as good as the others? What if they don't bother asking me anymore and find someone more worthy of their time? And what if I just gave up, too scared to find out? That will not happen. That thought is scarier than anything. So I need to:


And


As I tap away I remind myself of all the nice things people have said about my writing. It's the best feeling ever. But then my characters refuse to cooperate, and join ranks to mock and belittle me. 'We wouldn't do that!' They scoff. 'We wouldn't say such a thing!' They tut. I think about what my doctor said, and feel slightly better:


And he's right. I do! But unfortunately the clock isn't cooperating with me either. Maybe I should check out social media again. There could be a message needing my immediate attention. I'm fooling myself of course. Delaying tactics, because I'm having a bad writing day. I know that really, and I know this too:


So, I glance at the clock again, decide it's stopped, and that I can:


But tomorrow I MUST do the following, and somehow get there. 



I know I'm not the only one to feel like this, and that does help. So, in a moment of crazy confidence, I'm saying in public that my third book will be out by the end of the year. Written, edited and published. By saying this out loud to you, I will imagine you judging me if I don't. Badly. And that's the kick up the butt I need. So feel free to check up on my progress and give me hell if you see another post like this one (written by me, obviously) In fact, I'm counting on it!

Love Pippa x

10 comments:

  1. "I have a quick look through social media, and two hours later I'm ready to write." Ain't that the truth? On weekdays, I don't even allow myself to open social media sites during my precious writing time (I don't get up at 4:30 a.m. to read useless info on FB), but on the weekends, I'm horribly guilty of this.

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    1. Brea, you have the right idea. Weekdays, no social media during the day. I'm going to stick to this rule myself! 4:30 am? Wow! I need to reset my alarm...by a few hours :-)

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  2. I have really enjoyed my week without social media and now I know the world won't end, I'm going to try to stick to checking facebook once a day. I'm uninstalling the app on my phone. Go write your book! It's much more satisfying than a few more likes on social media! Good luck :) XX

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    1. Thank you so much, Emily! I'm going for it. I'm looking forward to reading your next book by the way :-) xxx

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  3. Well, it worked! I withdrew from social media for two or three weeks and guess what? I finished the book. I managed to write around 55,000 words during that time. I know I wouldn't have, had I been on social media. And do you know what? I didn't really miss anything! Obviously it's nice to connect with people and chat, but everyone has been so supportive. Next time I start writing a book I'm going to come off it for the entire time it takes me to write the first draft. It will be interesting to see how long it takes.
    Love Pippa x

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  4. Your new book is amazingly awesome. Personally, I think it's the best yet.

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  7. I've put your books on my to read list. This post is so relatable! I haven't achieved what you have but I plan to one day, and every day I work on this I experience the same exact thing. As a fellow writer, I'd love to have some constructive criticism on some of my stuff. My site is www.brittanyjackson.weebly.com

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    1. Thank you so much Elizabeth! Apologies for the delay in responding but I've had technical issues lately. I will check out your site. Love Pippa x

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