Q2 Week 6 Craft: Writing Setbacks
Did you fall behind in your current WIP? Maybe you’re not at the word count you wanted to hit? Or you didn’t get all of your marketing done? Setbacks happen. But that’s when we have to take stock and regroup.
Whether you're at the beginning of your writing journey or you've been on this path for years, we all encounter those moments—times when we fall behind our writing schedules or marketing plans, when the words don't flow as freely, or the buzz around our books seems to quieten. It's in these moments, amidst the silence of progress, that our resolve is truly tested. What you need to realize is how far you’ve come and how close you are to the resolution of Act Three.
Setbacks are not dead ends. They are, in fact, part of the dance of creativity and outreach. Just as a story unfolds through its twists and turns, revealing its beauty through unexpected developments, so too does our journey as writers and marketers of our tales.
If you find yourself feeling behind or lost in the woods of your own goals, remember: every great story needs a moment of tension, of apparent defeat, to make the triumph that follows shine even brighter. Your current standstill is your author story's climax, the turning point where the hero—that’s YOU—finds a deeper strength and a new strategy to overcome the odds.
In the meantime…
Take a Breath, Then Take Stock
Give yourself a moment to breathe, to step back from the canvas of your work. With fresh eyes, you might see a new path through the thicket, a different approach to your writing or marketing that reinvigorates your efforts.
Revisit Your Why
Reconnect with the passion that set you on this path. Whether it was a love for storytelling, a message you yearned to share, or the joy of connecting with readers, let this core purpose be your beacon.
Set Micro-Goals
Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Each small victory is a step forward, a push against the inertia, reigniting the momentum you felt missing. Sometimes I make a GYST list; that’s a Get Your Sh!t together list of what has to happen at all costs. Then I just do those things until I’m back on track.
Seek Community Support
Use the comments section here. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. This writing community is full of supportive fellow authors who want you to win. Reach out, share your experiences, and draw strength from the collective resilience.
Celebrate Every Step
Every word written, every reader reached, is a triumph. Acknowledge your efforts, however small they might seem. These are the building blocks of your eventual success.
In the grand narrative of your writing and marketing journey, setbacks are merely plot twists—opportunities for character development, for growth, and for redefining your path to success. They are the moments before the dawn, the deep breath before the leap.
So embrace these challenges with the knowledge that they are not barriers but catalysts for evolution and innovation. Your story, both on the page and beyond, is still being written. And the next chapter? It's poised to be your best yet.