Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Into the ZONE: The Ways and Means of Getting Ready For A Long Writing Session, and A Writing Update!


Good day, fellow cosmonauts! Hope you've made it safely through April, and are ready to take on May. Before I go deep into this post, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me spread the word about The Dragon's Heart. It's been too long since I published a new story, and the feedback from readers has been exceptionally positive. Thank you for your support. I hope to release my next book soon.

As you can imagine, I've been swamped with my job and picking up school-at-home time with the mini mes, so I'll keep this post brief. Also, I'm doing a virtual training all day today, so I'll be a bit slow on checking other #IWSG posts, but need not worry, I certainly will!

https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html 
May 6 - Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?

I admit getting "into the zone" felt easier for me when I first started out, but then I was the youngest child with no one to bother me and old work computers whenever my dad got an update for his work. So quiet. So chill. Countless hours with no expectations made of me. Yeah, those were the days. Now it's a bit harder to reach writer's nirvana, but it's still achievable with soft soundtrack music, soft lighting, a soft chair, and something yummy that I can only bite into when I've finished a page. Not to mention reviewing notes and summaries of what I had planned to write about. I know, seems like a boring ritual, but I'm a fan of "you do you", so I might as well "I do me" or "me do me" ... it's getting weird now ...

May Update: Now that Dragon's Heart is out, I've been giving a lot of thought into what's next. Of all my books, people have asked me about my next zombie book the most. With it mostly done, it makes the most sense to wrap it up and publish it. However, I kinda miss the traditional arena. I'm itching to do something new, but the markets are shifting again and it looks like what I normally write isn't going to fit. I'm not even as popular as I once was. Being away for so long can do that, so I may be in the process of reinventing myself, even trying new markets and genres. My Zombie Summer II will be a warmup to this transition, and upgrading to a new workstation may help.

So keep your eyes peeled, this writing dream is far from over!

How are you doing out there? Did you survive April? How do you get into the writing zone? Have you ever reinvented yourself?

20 comments:

  1. Think of all that free time we had as kids...
    Cool you are focusing on another zombie installment.

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  2. Hi,
    I think the first successful book always puts a wall before us because we want to excel in writing our second book. However, I do believe that once you start on the second book it will flow
    All the best in your writing.

    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

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  3. As one on the other side, yes, I can say publishing is shifting. Books have to grab online since they can't grab in person right now.

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  4. I look forward to reading whatever you decide to write. I liked The Undead Road and The Dragon's Heart.
    Just keep doing you ... :)

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  5. I just bought The Dragon's Heart. Can't wait to read it. That's great that you're trying to reinvent yourself.

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  6. Good thing you're staying safe so far. Looking forward to another zombie story.

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  7. Wishing you much luck in reinventing yourself. Write what you love!

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  8. I'm also a fan of 'you do you'. We're all delightful individuals, and what works for one may not work for another. It's all good.

    Best of luck with the reinvention process.

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  9. April was rough. Congrats on the release, and good luck on the new.

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  10. I think writing was a lot easier when I was younger. I could stay up way past midnight just busting out pages and pages. Not quite as easy anymore. Too sleepy.

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  11. I like the idea of something yummy you can only bite into when you finish a page. I may steal that. Great IWSG post!

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  12. In this day and age, I say write and publish whatever the heck you want. The old rules don't apply, the new rules are sure to change.

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  13. Music especially can help me when all else fails.

    I've started reading Dragon's Heart and I quite like it. :)

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  14. Yes, you should do your writing the way that's best for you. Every industry is changing and adapting now, i wish you many more successful books no matter what publishing looks like in the future.

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  15. Survived April. Will survive May, too. I'm confident the strict procedures still in place here in Michigan are helping to slow the spread. Writing should be easier now that I'm retired and children grown. Somehow the more time I have, the less I work. Congrats on your release. I love that cover. Stay safe.

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  16. Hi David... yes, survived April. LOL Happy to see many of us have. It is great that you keep plugging away, especially with all your responsibilities at home... I need to focus on writing again. I have been out of the loop for so long, but I try to keep up with my blogger friends and I am so happy to see they are writing and publishing. Me next, hopefully. I just realized it has been TEN YEARS since I set up my blog. I was so "Gung Ho" then writing daily blogs and keeping up with so many blogger friends. I even wrote two books in two years. Now, well, I am almost finished a book I have been working on for two years now. I had it done, but after submitting it to a prominent editor, she suggested I continue the story (it is a narrative non-fiction based on an extraordinary woman). I am down to the last four or so chapters, but this segment of her life is a pale shade compared to her richly colorful earlier life. So that's where I'm at. Continue your dream and stay safe! I am always happy to see good news on your blog.

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  17. Seems we have all survived these crazy times so far! A zombie story would always be welcome!

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  18. Good luck with reinventing yourself. It'll be like you're learning how to release a debut book all over again. Let us know what works and what doesn't.

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  19. I know what you mean. It was so much easier to go into the zone when I was a kid, working on my family's clunky computer. I miss those days!

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  20. Hope you're surviving and thriving too. I think as writers it's our job to reinvent ourselves often, so that sounds like a step in the right direction. Ah, those halcyon, carefree days of having no responsibilities and seemingly endless time. But having restraints can be a great focus. Good luck!

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