Happy anniversary! There are so many thoughtful and helpful points in this post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. And I love JSTOR too! I'd love a research heavy post one day as well.
Congratulations on 10 years of writing, learning, and loving what you do! The fact that you still love writing more than ever is the greatest win of all (in my humble opinion). I sometimes wonder/ worry that my favorite authors may be burning out from the pressures of market demands and editing demands, etc. It's uplifting to hear that your passion for your craft is undiminished and continuing to grow! And it makes sense why as well- you have the perfect mindset and undying curiosity to thrive as a professional writer.
I once made an animatic (similar to an animation but more storyboard-esque) spending 4 hours a day for an entire summer. When I finished, I felt satisfied, but also exhausted. I didn't pick up my drawing tablet again for a long time. As I new writer, I expected writing a book to feel the same way at the end. I'm wrapping up the edits from proofreaders of my first book now, and baffled to find that even after 2 years of working on the book, I don't feel any exhaustion or burnout. The hardest part of the editing process is taking a break from it! I forced myself to close the document for an entire week after finishing the edits, so I could come back with a fresh perspective, and it was far harder than I expected. It felt like I'd been locked out of my home. The only way I have been able to fully distract myself is to start writing my next story-the idea that I find my thoughts drifting back to over.
It's strange how different people find different things that they can thrive in without burning out. I have a friend who is the opposite- she draws several hours a day and has developed amazing visual art skills through this. She never needs a break from drawing. It is where she thrives.
It's fascinating to read your thoughts as a far more experienced writer. You're right- to a new writer a single book feels monumental, and it's hard to move on from. I look at all the books you've published and feel a dizzying sense of gazing across a vast chasm, or perhaps up at a far higher plateau (made of enormous stacked books 😆), where you stand casually surveying the world. I simply can't imagine what your view is like from up there. The closest I can get is reading your reflections, and although I still struggle to imagine what it must be like, your insights make sense.
Thanks for mentoring us novice writers through such candid reflections, and thank you for being that author who is at the top of their game and creating something extraordinary, renewing our excitement! Looking forward to your upcoming book of mystical cats 🐈 Heather Fawcett's writing style + cat personalities/characters~ I cannot imagine a more perfect combination! I'm beyond excited.
Happy 10th Anniversary! You have written so many amazing novels. I am looking forward to your Agnes story and her cat shelter! Thank you for the advice! I wished I could focus on one idea only though... it's just too much of them in my head all at once LOL Will you come to Texas one day? It's hot here too in the summer but it's lovely in late autumn!
Happy 10th anniversary! 🥳 As a new-ish writer, I loved reading this.
I haven’t been enjoying my own recently, and your thoughts on market vs. enjoyment have got me thinking about how I can bring back that simple joy of creating something I love. Thank you!
Also love that I’m not the only one who views reading the same way. Best job ever! 😂
Happy anniversary! There are so many thoughtful and helpful points in this post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. And I love JSTOR too! I'd love a research heavy post one day as well.
Congrats on 10 years - so grateful you have been creating beautiful books that I love to obsess over haha
ah, thanks!
Congratulations on 10 years of writing, learning, and loving what you do! The fact that you still love writing more than ever is the greatest win of all (in my humble opinion). I sometimes wonder/ worry that my favorite authors may be burning out from the pressures of market demands and editing demands, etc. It's uplifting to hear that your passion for your craft is undiminished and continuing to grow! And it makes sense why as well- you have the perfect mindset and undying curiosity to thrive as a professional writer.
I once made an animatic (similar to an animation but more storyboard-esque) spending 4 hours a day for an entire summer. When I finished, I felt satisfied, but also exhausted. I didn't pick up my drawing tablet again for a long time. As I new writer, I expected writing a book to feel the same way at the end. I'm wrapping up the edits from proofreaders of my first book now, and baffled to find that even after 2 years of working on the book, I don't feel any exhaustion or burnout. The hardest part of the editing process is taking a break from it! I forced myself to close the document for an entire week after finishing the edits, so I could come back with a fresh perspective, and it was far harder than I expected. It felt like I'd been locked out of my home. The only way I have been able to fully distract myself is to start writing my next story-the idea that I find my thoughts drifting back to over.
It's strange how different people find different things that they can thrive in without burning out. I have a friend who is the opposite- she draws several hours a day and has developed amazing visual art skills through this. She never needs a break from drawing. It is where she thrives.
It's fascinating to read your thoughts as a far more experienced writer. You're right- to a new writer a single book feels monumental, and it's hard to move on from. I look at all the books you've published and feel a dizzying sense of gazing across a vast chasm, or perhaps up at a far higher plateau (made of enormous stacked books 😆), where you stand casually surveying the world. I simply can't imagine what your view is like from up there. The closest I can get is reading your reflections, and although I still struggle to imagine what it must be like, your insights make sense.
Thanks for mentoring us novice writers through such candid reflections, and thank you for being that author who is at the top of their game and creating something extraordinary, renewing our excitement! Looking forward to your upcoming book of mystical cats 🐈 Heather Fawcett's writing style + cat personalities/characters~ I cannot imagine a more perfect combination! I'm beyond excited.
thanks so much Kenya!!
Congratulations! I'd love a research heavy post. That sounds fun.
Happy 10th Anniversary! You have written so many amazing novels. I am looking forward to your Agnes story and her cat shelter! Thank you for the advice! I wished I could focus on one idea only though... it's just too much of them in my head all at once LOL Will you come to Texas one day? It's hot here too in the summer but it's lovely in late autumn!
Thank you! I'd love to one day--you have a lot of awesome bookstores and book festivals down there!
Happy 10 year anniversary! I absolutely adore your books & I'm so excited about "Agnes"
And yes please to writing a newsletter about fantasy book research :)
Happy 10th anniversary! 🥳 As a new-ish writer, I loved reading this.
I haven’t been enjoying my own recently, and your thoughts on market vs. enjoyment have got me thinking about how I can bring back that simple joy of creating something I love. Thank you!
Also love that I’m not the only one who views reading the same way. Best job ever! 😂
thanks so much! It really is, haha.
Congratulations on 10 years! I vote “yes” for a research heavy post. 🙂↕️