To finish this stinkin’ WIP!!!
Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have said it quite like that. But I’m kind of frustrated with myself because I’ve let other things take precedence over my writing. Some things SHOULD have taken precedence, but not everything. I did do some writing on Saturday. I churned out over 4,000 words on a short story for an anthology I was invited to participate in. All proceeds go to Unicef. More about that later.
I’m going to try to write at least 3,000 words per week until I get this book finished. I have the last few chapters figured out, but there are about six chapters in the beginning of the last half of the book that I have no clue about. I’ll get there, though.
Here’s hoping this round will be more productive than the last two. I’ve been with ROW80 since the very beginning. I was one of the first sponsors. I’ve loved this writing challenge for the almost three years it’s been in existence, and I plan on sticking with it as long as Kait keeps it up. I used to be so much more productive, and I really hope I can get that enthusiasm back. I think part of my discouragement is book sales. I’ve talked to other authors, and most of them are really struggling with sales. There are so many more ebooks to choose from than there used to be. I think the key is to just keep writing and publishing so I’ll have more books out there. I think another thing that’s keeping me from churning out words like I used to is that my plots are getting more complicated. This is all an interesting journey, isn’t it?
lauralynnelliott.com 
I see your pain, your lack-lustre, your bleh… and raise you a dollop of “can I be arsed, really?” Of course, we have to. And we do. I’m having to remind myself it’s because I love it and screw the sales (but that doesn’t always work, naturally). For you prolific types, I’m sure this really gets you down. I only have one of a series out (and a few short – do they count?) and already I’ve been chewing on thoughts of quitting. But no! ROW80 has a wonderful community who have taught me to keep on, to tackle things in chunks (rounds) and to see each one as a fresh start. So, what am I talking about? I don’t know, I’m rambling. 🙂
Best of luck with your huge word count goals Lauralynne. I know you can whip butt! 🙂
http://shahwharton.com/2013/10/row80-round-4-goals-list/
I know I’m not alone in this frustration. Honestly, even though I love writing, if something presented itself that was more profitable, I would probably do it. We have to love what we do, but if we want to make a living this way, there has to be sales. I’m lucky to have a full time job that I like. But to write full time would be a dream come true. Sales used to be good when I was first starting out because there wasn’t so many of us doing this. I keep hoping readers can wade through everything else and find me. LOL. I understand, though, because my Kindle is full of books I haven’t gotten around to reading yet. I’ve stopped downloading free ones for the most part, and have started only buying the ones I think I’ll love.
Good luck to you on your goals.
I definitely know about letting other things get in the way of writing. Heck I’m not even really writing, I’m editing, and I keep putting it off. Silly me.
It’s not silly to put off editing. Because editing is evil. LOL
Good luck on getting back into the groove (now that certainly dates me, doesn’t it? *g*) I hope this is your breakthrough round! 🙂
Thanks, Ruth!
I remember groove. LOL
I love how you start it, and I know many of us feel this way especially with a year-ending round. And many of us can relate to the things we shouldn’t have let get in our way. I hope this round brings you to the end of your WIP. I look forward to cheering you along as you go.
Thanks, Tia! I am so looking forward to the end of this WIP. This has been a hard one to write!
Lack of sales can definitely hamper the creative spirit. I don’t know how else to push through something like that than to sit down and force myself to write. Does it get easier for you to write if you get into a routine? I know with your job, it’s not easy to always get around to writing.
I hope you get your story finished in this round. *fingers crossed for you*
B & N sales have picked up slightly, but not Amazon. There’s never consistency.
It’s definitely easier to write if I have a routine. I do better if I go into my office and write as soon as I finish eating supper, which I usually do as soon as I get home from work. But then there’s the times when hubby wants me to watch something on TV with him, and I get out of the mood to write. After all the health problems he’s had, I’m not going to deny him any of my time. And I know if I just get back in my office, the mood will come back. I’m beginning to think some of it is just pure laziness. Seriously.
If I don’t finish this round, I’m going to kick my own butt. Especially since I’ve got another idea for a book that’s running around in my head. 🙂