The more I write, the harder it gets, and the more rules I have to create for myself. There are writing rules everywhere. People are constantly posting advice and tips, but no matter how much I have to adjust my methods, the realization that writing rules have to be different for different individuals still holds true.

It’s been a while since I touched on this. I’ve been trying to plow through more work and get shit ready for this year’s releases and a new book tour. But the basics never change for me. There will always be rules that I laugh at and rules that I make up and adhere to no matter what.

I don’t always write what I know, but I do love exploration and research to GET TO KNOW what I’m delving into.

I do not write every day. Well not in the typical sense that I sit down and work on a story. I blog, post, brainstorm, edit, research, and maybe…if I’m very very lucky, I get to actually write.

Writing something new is not hard for me; it is setting finished work aside to let it rest before editing that seems to be my biggest hardship right now. Getting drafts finished is my main goal, but once that’s done, I have got to let shit sit for at least 6 months.

This is the latest constraint.

It sounds like story prison.

Almost like a death sentence.

The world of publishing never stops, it never slows, and there is always someone out there producing more work. Never before has QUALITY over QUANTITY been more tested but it is still exceptionally important. Selling one book based on strategy isn’t as difficult as some people make it out to be, keeping readers and growing a larger audience with each release is the hard part. Appealing to more and more readers as you go and improving to become a better writing, that is how a writer builds a career.

Or so I’m learning. Haha

There is nothing worse than finding a typo or misprint in one of your stories. It feels like hell. I’ve had plenty enough to know that editors really are a writer’s savior.

My editing work is where I grow my writing skills. The more I catch other people’s mistakes, the more I see. But even so, my new 6 month rule seems necessary.

I received a contract for one of my non-fiction stories from a LARGE publisher. It is still not 100% certain. My work has made it to the last round. Basically the story can still be cut and I will not know for sure if it will be included in the publication until March.

To try and ease my nerves and build up some patience, I went back into the document to look things over.

The terror!

The horror!

Facing your work before it’s published is agony, especially after you’ve submitted it and it is still being considered.

I don’t know why I would put myself through this. Writers are sadists, there’s no other explanation for what we do to ourselves.

I found a duplicate word and a number of stylistic phrasing that I desperately wish to rework. If and when I am 100% accepted, I will have the opportunity to work with an editor and I have an inkling of what they will say.

This story is very dear to me. Non-fiction is either very distant and scientific, or it’s more personal than anything. Of course, this piece is the latter.

I had set it aside. For 6 weeks I waited. I did my best to keep busy and avoid peaking. But 6 weeks isn’t enough for me. It may be for some writers. Not me. My memory is too good for that.

I remember birthdays of people I haven’t seen since I was 10. Childhood phone numbers and locker combos still sit cataloged away in my think tank.

No excuses, no work-arounds. I have to start shutting things up for longer and accepting the process, my process. No one wants to miss an opportunity due to impatience, or worse, lose reader’s trust because they didn’t take the time to let their work gain its true flavor.

Ah yes, a wine metaphor. It’s perfect for writing.

Stories that have the potential to last have to ferment and develop as well. This is my biggest struggle, but I’m working on it. Hopefully I won’t die in the process. haha