Category: Publishing

person using green typewriter on brown wooden

Sustaining your writing during stressful times—two:

Published on by Robecca AustinLeave a comment

Using small steps

In the last post, I mentioned four ways that help me maintain momentum. For me, momentum can be a fleeting thing. I wake inspired with big dreams and plans. I map an outline on how to achieve that new dream and get a running start.

Or so I think…

It doesn’t matter whether it’s learning Spanish to communicate better with friends and family or writing my next book, momentum is a struggle. Don’t get me wrong, I finish stories…eventually. They take way longer than I’d like.

In addition to being slow, there’s self-criticism.

It took a long time to stop comparing my progress to other writers, ignore negative voices both internal and external—negativity grows if not kept in check.

Wanting to accomplish goals on time, which gets me closer to being a full time writer, I turned to the internet – being in quarantine allows for such internet habits to develop—and came across Stick With It: A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life by Sean D. Young.

In short, the book highlights why we break the goals we set for ourselves and using science, the author provides guidance to breaking the cycle. At least that’s my watered-down understanding. I’m intrigued. With time on my side, and armed with the knowledge that it takes time + executing small steps to stick to goals, I’m giving this theory a try.

After sharing my thoughts about this process, a friend of mine who also happens to be a writer, Laurie Hazel, mentioned Susan DeFreits’s series of post on, Developing a Writing practice. Based on the same book, she goes into greater detail.

My Progress: Week 1

Small steps: Can be accomplished now.

Write daily (no matter the word count). Ended the week by completing another chapter and 2 new blog posts.

Short term goals: Can be accomplished in one week.

Work on marketing twice per week. Worked on book cover for book 1—hope to share it soon

Long term goals: one month

Finish book 2.

Dream: three months or more

Publish 1 story a month starting May – October

Publish 6 titles in six months

What is my hope for this process you ask? That by the time normal exists again I will have formed new achievable, measurable habits. I have no idea if these steps are small enough, so I may have to readjust as I go.

What I’m reading: A Scientifically Proven Process for Changing Your Life by Sean D. Young.

Feel good story: Dogtor Loki is a therapy dog delivering ‘Healthcare Hero Kits’ to nurses

Indie Publishing Question:

Q. Is it a good time to self-publish?

A. I’m currently embarking on the same journey during uncertainty. The good news, as business owners we can test the market anytime. Internet usage is up. Subscription services like Scribd and KDP select are up (if you choose that path.)

On Publishing: Taking the Leap

Published on by Robecca Austin2 Comments

(My publishing and self-publishing Journey) 

Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

Those of you who read this blog know that I’ve not been posting over the summer. I wanted to, but my time seemed to be swiped by editing, working, and preparing for the Northern Hearts Conference. As I type this, the conference is days away. I’ve also had little time to create new stories… blah. I’m sure you’re not new to the feeling of time slipping by or feeling unproductive. But I have been productive, at least in the none visible sort of way. I’ve thought about narrowing the theme of this site (at least the post that I write). I have been editing stories for a publisher I’m considering forming a working relationship with. We’ve been discussing cover art and other aspects that would make for a smooth relationship. And while all this is happening, the contract is being negotiated. All of that took a considerable amount of time and thought. More updates on that later…

When I thought my summer schedule was set, and did my happy dance with some back patting in tow, a couple of my close author friends, Christine Colorado and Laurie Hazel (yes, I’m naming you) decided anthologies were a great idea for the upcoming romance conference. 

The conference is September 20th. When I attended last year’s conference I really didn’t know what to expect. I signed up for some workshops and met some incredible authors, both traditionally and self-published. I quickly found out that for the event to be productive, I needed to know what I wanted to get out of it and I needed to do some research of the presenters.

Last year one of the workshops I attended was boring (to me anyway) and the information presented was not in line with my future writing career, yet I sat there, not sure what the etiquette was for walking out of the room (via the back door of course). This year, I’m a little bolder and I’m armed with a learning agenda. But I digress…more on what I’m learning to come.

So, we were able to put together not one anthology series but two – because these ladies are bad ass. One is a paranormal mystery called Illusions of Power and the second is a contemporary romance called Path of the Heart.

They were great fun to write and put together– high stress and high dedication. I think we might have even shed a few tears in the process.

During the entire process, I was navigating my way through the self-publishing world. I know, I’m so late to the game. There is so much to learn and do. About 15 years ago, when self-publishing was new, I did dip my toes into the water (but I wasn’t ready, not by a long shot). I was still working full time and didn’t have a back list of stories to publish.

Fast forward. I’ve made commitments to cultivating my writing career. Novels and stories are in the works and I’m reading/learning from smart people. I’m in the business of publishing again and it feels damn great.