I finished a novel in 2016, got a good agent quickly, which misled me into thinking all would go smoothly. The novel didn't sell. I revised and revised until my agent retired. I couldn't find another agent for the book so I put it aside. Writing that novel was really hard and emotionally draining. I started writing on Substack about 18 months ago and find it a source of real joy. I like the finality of a post. And I think I'm writing with greater confidence as the months roll on.
I'm scared of re-entering the world of fiction, especially a novel. I may have Post Novel Stress Disorder. That said, I'm tempted to start with a short story sometime before year end. This doesn't answer your question. But I thought it might be useful to you, nevertheless. I hope you continue this substack and I'd be eager to read a novel that you wrote.
This would be such a difficult thing to go through. I’m happy you’re still writing here but totally get the hesitation in investing your heart in a novel again right now. Looking forward to a short story from you in the future!
Post Novel Stress Disorder is so real! It took me ten years and @scoot hosting a short story competition for me to get back on the horse, but now that I’m here, I’m taking the time to learn a healthier relationship with the story, the time spent writing, and the screen I use to write. It is possible! But hold yourself gently and don’t put a timeline on it. It’ll come when it comes.
"If you are not doing, producing, making money, then your venture is not worth it."
This right here. This is something I've been feeling a strong urge to rebel against lately. Everything has to be productive. No. Let's just do shit for fun.
Inspiring and motivating, Shaina. Thanks for this. A great read and it's heartening to hear your thoughts--many of which I share myself.
Here's to slow time, to finding the peace and inspiration, to stopping and thinking and staring at the world and letting that fuel your creativity and drive.
This is such a timely reminder for me. You inspired me to rethink the commitment I'm making to my newsletter. Time is limited and I'm asking myself, what makes me happy
What a great post! This is the constant battle, isn't it? I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your process here, since this is what all of us writers are struggling with behind the scenes.
Making stuff up is fun. Fun is a feeling that tells you something important about how you are spending your time. Working with your hands is good for the soul. When the mind and body are occupied, the spirit can roam free.
I’ve been feeling similarly lately, although for different reasons. I also contemplated quitting Substack and starting a novel 😂 Thank you for writing this! I love the honesty, and I’m sure it will be helpful to people.
I handwrote my novel after years of being away from writing, so I am celebrating you took that route for the outlining at least! I am now typing up said novel for Substack and cursing that the voice dictation doesn't understand me because this is so hard and my handwriting is occasionally illegible.
But I had a great time writing it. I need to find the fun in this typing up ... which I do with bouncy Kpop music and not to push myself too hard because otherwise I will end up with horribly stiff shoulders and back ache etc.
Brilliant. Keep going on the novel! I find sometimes a couple of the novel ideas can merge into one. But then I keep thinking of more as well :) it’s such good practice to just choose something and go with it...otherwise we don’t get anywhere. I guess this is true for so many things in life! Thanks for this lovey reflection.
Yes to slowing down and savoring the creative process. I have had this inner battle for decades, with slips in and out of determined dedication to the creative within. In the last five years, I have also discovered that my creative process is as much a spiritual practice as is my gardening, early morning walks, and convos with Spirit. It's who we are and what we do which means it's of our spirit and thus a spiritual practice. Knowing that the creative expression is of my spirit, creating sacred space, much like your night time writing, is a way to honor what I do. Creatives are innate builders of words that create lives within stories or change lives with our "content". I've been writing daily for 13 days- just a prompt, no need to create anything, no word counts, utilizing only my fountain pen and notebook, I allow creation to just happen. It has been the single best gift I have given myself this year. Detaching from the busy to allow the creation- this is why writing is so fulfilling to me.
What is "content", really? Is it something people want to read? If so, stories qualify. Is it opinion? Facts? Inspiration? IMHO a lot of "content" is regurgitated garbage. How much better to give people something that entertains while they absorb the deeper meaning.
You are a writer, by definition. You write. What's more, you encourage others to write and help them on their journey.
You hit the nail on the head when you said "If you are not doing, producing, making money, then your venture is not worth it." That's the error so many people make, judging the worth of something by how much money it earns. But what's the worth of a smile or a hug?
A better yardstick is: what does it add to people's lives and happiness? And that includes your own.
I write every day because it gives me joy. If other people enjoy it, that's wonderful. But if everyone in the world hated my writing, I'd write anyway. It's a gift I give to myself. But it's there for the sharing if anyone wants it.
Since starting on this writing thing, I've certainly had my days of drawing a blank and of imposter syndrome. I try to write daily, even if it's re writing or editing a story I'm working on. I've got two novels started - that began as NaNoWriMo books, but never finished.
I work better in the early morning, and if I realize that I'm going to spend the day staring at the computer, I'll go do something else instead. The other day it was puttering about in the kitchen, cross stitching and binge watching a few episodes of GoT. And that's ok.
Thanks for sharing your struggles. It's always good to know it's not just me. Us writer types need to stick together.
The substack manifesto everyone wanted but no one knew the words for. Thank you for this.
I finished a novel in 2016, got a good agent quickly, which misled me into thinking all would go smoothly. The novel didn't sell. I revised and revised until my agent retired. I couldn't find another agent for the book so I put it aside. Writing that novel was really hard and emotionally draining. I started writing on Substack about 18 months ago and find it a source of real joy. I like the finality of a post. And I think I'm writing with greater confidence as the months roll on.
I'm scared of re-entering the world of fiction, especially a novel. I may have Post Novel Stress Disorder. That said, I'm tempted to start with a short story sometime before year end. This doesn't answer your question. But I thought it might be useful to you, nevertheless. I hope you continue this substack and I'd be eager to read a novel that you wrote.
This would be such a difficult thing to go through. I’m happy you’re still writing here but totally get the hesitation in investing your heart in a novel again right now. Looking forward to a short story from you in the future!
Post Novel Stress Disorder is so real! It took me ten years and @scoot hosting a short story competition for me to get back on the horse, but now that I’m here, I’m taking the time to learn a healthier relationship with the story, the time spent writing, and the screen I use to write. It is possible! But hold yourself gently and don’t put a timeline on it. It’ll come when it comes.
Post Novel Stress Disorder. LOL Love that.
"If you are not doing, producing, making money, then your venture is not worth it."
This right here. This is something I've been feeling a strong urge to rebel against lately. Everything has to be productive. No. Let's just do shit for fun.
Inspiring and motivating, Shaina. Thanks for this. A great read and it's heartening to hear your thoughts--many of which I share myself.
Here's to slow time, to finding the peace and inspiration, to stopping and thinking and staring at the world and letting that fuel your creativity and drive.
This is such a timely reminder for me. You inspired me to rethink the commitment I'm making to my newsletter. Time is limited and I'm asking myself, what makes me happy
Don’t forget to get bored every now and then!
What a great post! This is the constant battle, isn't it? I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your process here, since this is what all of us writers are struggling with behind the scenes.
Also you may enjoy this post from Robin Sloan. It put good words to the balancing of content with longer projects.
https://snarkmarket.com/2010/4890/
Wow...puts perfectly into words what I’ve been wrestling with and it’s a great conclusion. Thanks for sharing this!
Making stuff up is fun. Fun is a feeling that tells you something important about how you are spending your time. Working with your hands is good for the soul. When the mind and body are occupied, the spirit can roam free.
I’ve been feeling similarly lately, although for different reasons. I also contemplated quitting Substack and starting a novel 😂 Thank you for writing this! I love the honesty, and I’m sure it will be helpful to people.
I handwrote my novel after years of being away from writing, so I am celebrating you took that route for the outlining at least! I am now typing up said novel for Substack and cursing that the voice dictation doesn't understand me because this is so hard and my handwriting is occasionally illegible.
But I had a great time writing it. I need to find the fun in this typing up ... which I do with bouncy Kpop music and not to push myself too hard because otherwise I will end up with horribly stiff shoulders and back ache etc.
As someone whose life is chronically overbooked, thank you.
Brilliant. Keep going on the novel! I find sometimes a couple of the novel ideas can merge into one. But then I keep thinking of more as well :) it’s such good practice to just choose something and go with it...otherwise we don’t get anywhere. I guess this is true for so many things in life! Thanks for this lovey reflection.
Yes to slowing down and savoring the creative process. I have had this inner battle for decades, with slips in and out of determined dedication to the creative within. In the last five years, I have also discovered that my creative process is as much a spiritual practice as is my gardening, early morning walks, and convos with Spirit. It's who we are and what we do which means it's of our spirit and thus a spiritual practice. Knowing that the creative expression is of my spirit, creating sacred space, much like your night time writing, is a way to honor what I do. Creatives are innate builders of words that create lives within stories or change lives with our "content". I've been writing daily for 13 days- just a prompt, no need to create anything, no word counts, utilizing only my fountain pen and notebook, I allow creation to just happen. It has been the single best gift I have given myself this year. Detaching from the busy to allow the creation- this is why writing is so fulfilling to me.
Thanks Sara.
What is "content", really? Is it something people want to read? If so, stories qualify. Is it opinion? Facts? Inspiration? IMHO a lot of "content" is regurgitated garbage. How much better to give people something that entertains while they absorb the deeper meaning.
You are a writer, by definition. You write. What's more, you encourage others to write and help them on their journey.
You hit the nail on the head when you said "If you are not doing, producing, making money, then your venture is not worth it." That's the error so many people make, judging the worth of something by how much money it earns. But what's the worth of a smile or a hug?
A better yardstick is: what does it add to people's lives and happiness? And that includes your own.
I write every day because it gives me joy. If other people enjoy it, that's wonderful. But if everyone in the world hated my writing, I'd write anyway. It's a gift I give to myself. But it's there for the sharing if anyone wants it.
Since starting on this writing thing, I've certainly had my days of drawing a blank and of imposter syndrome. I try to write daily, even if it's re writing or editing a story I'm working on. I've got two novels started - that began as NaNoWriMo books, but never finished.
I work better in the early morning, and if I realize that I'm going to spend the day staring at the computer, I'll go do something else instead. The other day it was puttering about in the kitchen, cross stitching and binge watching a few episodes of GoT. And that's ok.
Thanks for sharing your struggles. It's always good to know it's not just me. Us writer types need to stick together.