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I’m giving the capybara the week off because there’s really only one goal that I have for this week. Last week’s vacation was useful in that I did most of the restructuring, finished preparing The Slumber War, and plotted out the battles for War of the Tainted. Chaos did rule, so I feel like I could have done more. Can’t change the past and what I did get done left me exhausted.
Truthfully, I’m more exhausted than when I started my vacation. It’s for three reasons. One is the weather jumping from 30’s to 70’s has been wrecking havoc with my sinuses and energy. My body is trying to go into a hibernation with me being eternally drowsy and I think I’m packing on weight to live off of until the spring. Not good. I hate this part of the human body. Takes weeks to drop 10 pounds, but it comes back in half the time? I think the manufacturer was drunk when he made some of these design decisions.
Stress source number two is the hype preparation for Allure of the Gypsies. My third book is set to debut on December 1st and it’s going for a $2.99 price tag. I’m nervous about this big step. Also, it’s my first time setting up a blog tour and a real cover reveal. I’m still looking for volunteers on these. I’ve had a few bites on the cover reveal (thanks, everyone!) and I have 18 volunteers for the blog tour (thanks, guys and gals!). I hope it grows. There’s also the Twubs chat, which I’m still not sure how to work and so far nobody has really shown any interest. So, nerves are on edge about this debut. I think if this book is as successful as the first two then it will justify my path and the ‘deadline’ I have over my head will be negated.
Let’s move on to that goal:
- Begin writing Legends of Windemere: Curse of the Dark Wind.
I’m worried about this one for some reason. Keep in mind that I wrote Family of the Tri-Rune and The Compass Key this year. I even edited Tri-Rune twice and did a lot of work on the series. I could probably get 3-4 books written a year since everything is outlined. Still, I’m edgy and this one. Is it the lack of privacy and immense chaos of the house? Good chance of that. I’m dreading that I’m hitting some level of burnout, but it doesn’t feel like that. It feels more like my mind is preparing for intrusion. Remember that I have no space to write here. I work either on my bed where my back is destroyed or at the dining room table where I’m in the line of fire.
If that’s even it. Something has changed and I can’t put my finger on it. Almost like the stakes are higher when I write, so I have to be more focused. This is going to be a fun book and focuses on two great characters: Luke Callindor and Fizzle. There’s also a few big returns in this book, which I’m looking forward to writing. Still, part of me is looking at this and panicking. No real idea why.
Legends of Windemere 
I doubt anyone does well with a gun to their head. Look for the good things around you and make the most of those. You have an adorable little boy who loves you, you have a beautiful wife who is supportive of you and you have some books that have done very well. I don’t like to/can’t read when the television is blaring – so, I put on my noise canceling headphones or I leave the room entirely, In the interest of being thought “sociable”, I opt for the headphones – nobody forces me to put my eyes on the television and the noise is mostly gone so I can read. A bit different I’m sure for writing, but might be a thought for avoiding the chaos of a house.
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I’ve had this deadline over my head since last year. It was originally June, but I ‘negotiated’ an extension. I’ll try to do the same this time. I already paid for the 4th book’s cover and plan on a late February release for that one. So, I’m ahead, but this deadline seems dependent on making enough money to buy a house . . . on Long Island.
I’m lucky that I’ve developed an ability to write with noise around. In fact, I need it because I always think quiet is a sign something is about to happen. I usually toss on Pandora and let the music play. I edit around the television though and it’s typically a show or movie I’ve seen multiple times. Just need noise from something that won’t ask me to do stuff.
The chaos is really the noise of the other living things in here. So much talking that is the volume equivalent of yelling.
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Love the pic. I hope you get this sorted, it sounds like despite your nerves it is coming together. I’m excited for the launch of the third book. 🙂
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Thanks. Though it’s closer to ‘in spite’ in regards to my nerves this time. Already made progress with the title, copyright, dedication, and series list . . . cut and paste counts.
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yes it does. Absolutely. 🙂
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I can’t start until Tuesday anyway with the toddler home, so I have time to get the butterflies done.
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Love the dragon pic. You put a lot of pressure on yourself. Hopefully you can get back to that place where writing is fun again.
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Me too. I’m sure I’ll have fun when I start again. The issue of no privacy is the big factor now. If I can keep up my rate of 2 sections a day then I’ll be good.
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Sit up straight cross legged on the floor. Touch both thumbs to your fore fingers. Rest your hands on your thighs. Close your eyes take a deep breath through your nose and repeat after me slowly letting out the air. “OHMMMMMMMMMMMMM.” repeat till you have lost all stress.
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If that doesn’t work here take this Margarita
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It’ll go great with my Killians and vodka. Not together, but that’s what I have in the house. Found some orange juice too.
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Good idea . . . I really need to lose weight in my thighs. I think we found a flaw in the plan.
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I’m not going to say stop whining, so I’m going to say what the hell is your problem? You already accomplish more than a Harvard Scholar on Speed. You just never seem to notice that you do all these things, and you never give yourself credit for all of the things that you get done in a day. I’ve got six kids living with me. If I can fart and say excuse me in the same day I feel like I have accomplished something. weenie.
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I notice and admit that I’ve done a lot. I think I still get the pre-project jitters. An odd mix of excitement and anxiety like I’m heading off on a new adventure. Don’t want anyone to get the idea that I step into a project with full confidence. That tends to show up a few pages into the first section. I’m going over my notes the next two days, so I’ll be good by Tuesday.
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Stress is insidious. You don’t really know the damage it’s doing until it’s already done. Take care of yourself. I hope your books do well enough to get into that house soon. You need the space. You already write more prolifically than anyone I know. Three books published in one year is truly amazing. I wrote one a year and a half ago, and published this year. I could only imagine being able to get out two in 2014, and that is only if I can get this one I am working on now accomplished. I would like to think I am a serious writer, but you make serious look a walk in the park.
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Thanks. Though, I’m thinking a house might take a lot of time away too with maintenance. More in the mind to rent for a bit at first. Probably still a year or two off.
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