August’s question:
Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be."
Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?
I guess when I began writing my series, The Circle of Friends, I had no idea what genre it would be. I knew it would be about friendships, life, and romance, but that was about it. At first they were classified as YA, but now that we have New Adult, that is where they fit best.There is one month left to enter the IWSG Anthology Contest. The genre is science fiction and the theme dark matter. Please see the website for details.
Keep Writing with Fey Blog Hop: Share your story about writer's block, depression, and/or burnout and how you overcame it or what you are currently doing to heal.
After I finished my series, I’d planned on writing a second book to go with Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk aimed at teens. But at that point, my heart wasn’t in it and the project fizzled.
It was a couple years later that I realized – I’d written a book for my leadership and dream-setting seminars. Why not write one for my book publishing and promoting seminars? (That’s how How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now! came about.)
Of course now, I’m just too busy with Dancing Lemur Press to finish anything! But I have been working on my next book.
Catch the sparks you need to conquer writer’s block, depression, and burnout!
When Chrys Fey shared her story about depression and burnout, it struck a chord with other writers. That put into perspective for her how desperate writers are to hear they aren’t alone. Many creative types experience these challenges, battling to recover. Let Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer's Block, Depression, and Burnout guide you through:
• Writer's block
• Depression
• Writer's burnout
• What a writer doesn’t need to succeed
• Finding creativity boostsv With these sparks, you can begin your journey of rediscovering your creativity and get back to what you love - writing.
Find Keep Writing With Fey at Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes /Kobo / Goodreads
And Voyagers: The Third Ghost is on sale for a limited time, down from $4.99 to $2.99 at Amazon!
60 comments:
Glad you've been working on your next book, Diane, although I know you've got to be slammed with Dancing Lemur Press!
Perhaps burnout could be a good thing because it can make us realize we need to rest and maybe regroup in another direction, which might be more rewarding.
Glad you are writing and hope you have time enough to finish your current project.
Glad to hear you are still writing!
My worst battle with depression and burnout surrounded the time we realized Mom was battling dementia. Such diffiuclt times. Took me months and months before I got back to "me" and writing again
I have heard so much about New Adult fiction,that I want to read a book of that genre. Could you recommend a few?
I know what it's like to not enough time for our own writing. But like Joylene said, you're making a difference with your press.
So basically the genres changed to match your book better. That's the way to do it.
I haven't written enough to have suffered from writer's burnout. Maybe one day...
I think it's great that you write, too, Diane, in addition to all else you do. You are well organized to do so. That's what I need: organization.
Okay, Dianne. How did I not know about your book about publishing and promotion? Just ordered it! Can't wait to read and learn. <3
I also wrote my New Adult novel before the genre existed. Glad it did. :)
Congrats to Chrys on her new book! It's wonderful that she's able to turn her experiences toward helping others.
There's always something! Although with a lack of events, I have a little more time. Most of which goes to researching new marketing ideas.
Thank you for your continued compliments on Gold Leaf. It's so nice to hear that someone outside my family enjoyed the story! Especially someone in publishing. At least historical fiction is outside time in a way, so I don't feel like I need to publish before I'm ready to commit to doing it well.
No matter what the genre, my favorite books are my favorites because of the characters and the relationships they have. People, their motivations, their backstory, and how these things effect their choices are all endlessly fascinating.
Besides my own? LOL EJ Wesley (I may have spelled that wrong) has one that is really good. I beta read it ages ago.
Thanks, Joylene.
I am trying.
My husband says I'm scary organized.
Thank you! I really appreciate that.
I'm glad that genre exists now.
I thought it was a great story. You just need to find the right publisher.
I'm glad you've been working on your next book. Thank you so much for taking part in my blog hop. :)
Our writing develops into new ideas we hadn't even considered, thankfully! As that is creativity in action! I've been burned out for sure, and know I was grieving too, after multiple seasons of loss of people close to me. I'm not sure if one caused the other, but being gentle with self was most important.
It's wonderful that you're finding time to write. I struggle with that too. I'm working on my Indigo Eady series, but I also couldn't help starting a secret project last week that is my current shiny idea.
I'd love to read a book about a leadership role in the writing industry. A peek behind closed doors could be very educational. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
When I stayed overnight in the haunted house, part of the requirement was to write a short story about the experience, which was then published in a chapbook with the other writers. While writing that story, I realized there was more to say, and pitched a novel based on it to one of my publishers.
Though I'm usually pretty good at sticking to whatever word count I'm given (years of journalism training), sometimes a story needs more room to be properly told. And now I have a 70K-word book based on that little story. :)
I can relate to the writer's block, depression because of the world crisis and living alone dosn't help but found by keep blogging kept me going knowing that the friendly followers were also suffering the effects.
Be safe and keep well.
Yvonne.
I too struggled to figure out what genre my first book fit into. I was fortunate that readers soon let me know and was able to reclassify it from Urban Fantasy to Paranormal.
It's cool how one project may have fizzled out only to inspire you to start the next.
I wish you all the best with your current WIP.
Hang in there with the writing! I can't imagine trying to jam it in around the demands of publishing, but if anyone can, it's you!
I'm sure Chrys's book will be a great success.
And what a deal on VOYAGERS.
I keep writing in different genres. I'm still trying to find one that I fit into...
I write in various sections of the broad mystery genre.
Sometimes, the genre of your story only becomes clear when the story is finished. And sometimes, it changes with the story.
Way to go with your writing and all the work you do for your authors, Diane!
No question whether I would or not!
That would be wonderful if you did.
That's wonderful.
Very true.
Thanks, Tyrean.
I have a knack of writing stories with blurred genres. I found it hard to define my genre with querying agents.
I always write in my favorite genre (mystery) but sometimes there are other sub genres that I like to try.
Chrys's launch certainly has done well today!
:)
Diane, you are one amazing lady as is your publishing company! I pray that you find time to get your books out because I know they'll be just as amazing as you and the fruits of your labor! xD
Glad to hear you're writing some, but you are one busy lady.
New Adult is a handy title for the slightly older market. I'm glad it caught on.
Congrats, Chrys.
I don't know how you do it, Diane! Scary organized you must be! I'm glad to hear that you still find time to write a little. Thanks for all you do!
Isn't it cool when a book just kind of appears? It was there all the time...
Hi Diane - you've been helping so many over the years ... it's great to read the spark has returned for more of your own novels. Dancing Lemur Press is doing wonders - and Chrys' book/s really stand out. Take care - Hilary
Always interesting when genres pop up that we didn't have before and work better.
I have never had burnout but I have been very discouraged many times. This is a tough business and we need to support each other. Congrats to Chrys on her new release.
I love your whole page including the share box and comment box. I don't know why I didn't see it like this the first time around! Great job. Love sharing and love your and Chris's help a la Ann Landers' Q&A model. Hugs, Carolyn
Congrats, Fey, and to you, Diane!
I've been in a writing slump for a long time, but know that when the right story comes (which I think it has), all will be fine. But then, you have so much always going on! No wonder it takes a bit :)
The teaching form seems to have found both of you.
Hi L. Diane... you certainly are a force to reckon with and I know you are a force of nature. Your energy is amazing and you do so much for our community and for your authors. Your book will be written when the time is right. You have other things to accomplish first. Keep up the amazing work! Congrats and thanks to Chrys for her new book!
Hang on... keep writing!
I'm betting there were a ton of books that would have fit better in the New Adult category once it came about.
When you're so stretched with other things, it's hard to carve out time to write. Hopefully you'll find a little time. You'd probably enjoy writing your own story again.
Sounds like you are definitely very busy, but I'm glad you are getting to write again. I'm so glad I heard about your publishing company and the IWSG through my husband. This has been the single most helpful piece of knowledge on my journey! Thanks for giving him your cards!
That's awesome that you are managing to squeeze in some time to write along with all the other hats you wear.
I very much agree.
We never know what direction our lives will take, but from what I've heard about your publishing & marketing endeavors, it sounds like that was a smart path for you to take. Having time to do some writing now is a huge bonus. Good for you! (Obviously, you must have more hours in your days than I have in mine...)
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