GSD vs. Doubt

Yup, back to Getting Stuff Done. I just wrote the chapter on doubt this weekend, and it's of course something I struggle with daily.

This writing business is a tough gig. Either there's the traditional route that can take years, if ever, to break into and do well with. Or there's the indie route, which let's face it, there are so many authors out there, you have to hope at some point your writing is noticed (usually via some aggressive marketing or advertising...or luck) among all the others.

As writers, we seek validation. And the only validation we have are sales and reviews. When you're first starting out on a path, you don't have much of either of these, which makes things even harder. And makes for a great place for doubts to fester.

That's pretty much where I'm at right now. The doubts are throwing a rave in my brain.

I know I was born to write. The stories in my head have driven me as far back as I can remember. I'll never, ever stop writing, no matter what. That's not the doubt here. No. The doubt is that sore that I can't seem to stop poking at wondering if I'm a good enough writer. If I'm good enough to make any traction in the publishing world, to find readers who love my characters and worlds as much as I do.

And right now, I really don't have the validation that I am good enough. Sales of the short stories haven't been the best. Yes, I know short stories are hard sells, but I'm starting to second guess myself. Should I even be publishing any of these stories? Are they good enough? Should I have approached the stories a different way than I did?

Newsletter sign-ups are non-existent. The one story that has sold the most hasn't gained any reviews on Amazon. And I feel like I'm in the middle of the ocean where my legs have just frozen up so I can no longer tread water.

I also started edits on Mind Behind the Mind this week. It's been a while since I looked at the novel, and I was quite pleased with what I saw. But then those stinkin' doubts crept in. I may think it's good, but will anyone else? Will I successfully be able to make the following two novels in the series as good as this one? Same voice, character quirks, consistency?

I wish I could find a vat of acid to throw all of my doubts in. That would be lovely to have peace at last, but that's likely never going to happen. I am a worrier by nature. It's a hard mindset to change.

Of course, I'm going to keep plowing ahead. I want to share the stories in my head with other people, and I'm hoping I can find an audience for my stories, even if the doubts still pipe up at the most inopportune times.

I also have to remember I'm not perfect. Not everyone will like what I write. But I truly hope I can find my readers somewhere out there one day. Doubt be damned.

GSD vs. Sickness

This post will be brief. Can you imagine what it's about?

G(etting) S(tuff - or Shit, depending how much of a potty mouth you want to have) D(one). It's ever the perpetual thing we humans strive for. Whether it be writing, cleaning, work, craft projects, heck even trying to relax so you don't stress out trying to get the other things done.

You devise a plan, a lovely plan that makes sense and you think won't be too far out of reach to complete. You're going to GSD, and you have it all mapped out in front of you how.

And then it happens. You get sick.

Now, there are people who can power through the sick and continue to GSD, even though I'd contest the quality of the work depending just how sick a person is.

Fevers knock me on my ass. And of course, that's what I woke up to Tuesday morning (after a long night of chills and me wondering why I was so damned cold). All I wanted to do was stay in bed, but I unfortunately had to at least minimally GSD. Get the eldest to school, make sure the youngest had food and clean diapers, pick up the eldest from school, fetch a naughty kitten from the basement, deal with toddler temper tantrums.

All the shit I listed above got done, but that lovely monthly plan for making progress on my writing tasks laughed in my face. And things had started off so well on Monday.

I'm still sick, unfortunately. Even if I don't have a fever, I have a headache that doesn't want to be touched by pills, horrible abdominal cramps, and the sweats. TMI? Sorry.

And clearly this wasn't what I intended to blog about this week. I was going to start the Adventures of Karriya the Wizard. That will now be delayed until the end of the month since the next two weeks are posts that shouldn't be pushed back.

Now, I have to admit, I also decided to post this because of an idea I have for a book. I hope to slowly write up some short essays on GSD vs. Various Things. I hope they will be humorous, even if they don't help overcome those obstacles to GSD, so a little humorous creative non-fiction. I'll be writing these up in between all of my other writing projects (funny, right? If I don't get sick). Of course I'll have a chapter on GSD vs. Sickness, though it won't exactly be this post!

What obstacles stop you from GSD? What would you like to see me write about in the book?