I completely agree, Liz! Trying to balance everything is so damn hard. Especially with a full time job and everything else. If you're both happy, then keep going. If you love writing it and it is fulfilling a purpose, keep going. Stepping back is a good thing, however. I took eight months away and I'm finally back writing my books. The kettlebell work out is impressive on top of a spin class, too! Rest or keep going. Whatever you choose will be right for you. x
Back working on the Ffens and Project ALITS which picks up Hannah's family's story thread 16 years in the future - a dystopian one. Very much YA audience aimed now. Relaunching the Ffens in mid-Autumn hopefully. No pressure this time, though so it all might be next Autumn.
Can't wait to hear more about yours, too! We've gotta keep going! xx
I feel the same, Liz! I have this urge to put the writing first, and then I never do. And that’s just on me. I could push everything else to the side and deal with it when the writing is done, I just never do and I wonder why.
Please don’t stop, I love your writing. When I have doubts I remember this (paraphrasing someone), ‘I haven’t come this far just to come this far’. However, we all need a break from it all from time to time and as Wendy says- there are no rules. Do what you need to do- we’ll all understand if you missed a week because of life! 💕
It's good to take a step back and re-assess. Is what was working for you previously still working for you? Is this just a temporary wobble? What would you tell someone else? Or what thought processes would you go through if the question was 'Should I quite being a horse-owner?"
Thanks Mark! I absolutely love writing on here. It was only the film yesterday that threw me into panic. I’ve had many years when I couldn’t prioritise writing so I’m proud of myself for committing to this. Thanks, as always, for your support.
I struggled with consistency, and felt a lot of guilt about not posting at least once a week, right on time. Don’t leave when you love it! Post once a month, or every couple of weeks if you want to. Once I took the pressure off, I’m finding some weeks for me there are two posts, sometimes it’s a post every two weeks. It all depends on work, the kid, who’s sick, and all that real life stuff. The readers who enjoy your work will stick with you. 😊
Thanks Willow. Appreciate that. I really do love writing on here. It sounds like you have a good approach to it. Hope it’s going well and I really hope your kid is feeling better.
Are you both happy? If not, then you need to change something before you're unhappy. It doesn't necessarily have to be dropping something. That might be the answer or you might need to tweak a collection of things.
Really well put, Liz. I relate to what you say about juggling priorities to put writing first. There were years when I was so busy with life that I shelved writing completely. Prioritising it has made me realise there were other things I could ditch, or at least cut back on.
Writing here doesn’t have to be all or nothing, though - you’re allowed down time! There are no rules.
Great that you’re in a relationship that’s mutually supportive - that’s a definite bonus.
Keep going Liz! I for one would miss reading your words here on Substack. That being said, I think we can get too hung up on consistency - I’m sure your readers understand that you have a life away from writing too and that if you don’t nurture that properly the writing will crumble away too. Embrace the shades of grey I say. PS you’re a better woman than me hoiking a kettle bell around on a Saturday morning 🤣
I completely agree, Liz! Trying to balance everything is so damn hard. Especially with a full time job and everything else. If you're both happy, then keep going. If you love writing it and it is fulfilling a purpose, keep going. Stepping back is a good thing, however. I took eight months away and I'm finally back writing my books. The kettlebell work out is impressive on top of a spin class, too! Rest or keep going. Whatever you choose will be right for you. x
Thanks Jane! I will keep at it. And I’m so pleased you’re back writing! What are you working on? What’s next for you? X
Back working on the Ffens and Project ALITS which picks up Hannah's family's story thread 16 years in the future - a dystopian one. Very much YA audience aimed now. Relaunching the Ffens in mid-Autumn hopefully. No pressure this time, though so it all might be next Autumn.
Can't wait to hear more about yours, too! We've gotta keep going! xx
Pleased to hear all this! Yes, it’s important to keep going. Xx
I feel the same, Liz! I have this urge to put the writing first, and then I never do. And that’s just on me. I could push everything else to the side and deal with it when the writing is done, I just never do and I wonder why.
I completely understand. It's hard, isn't it? For a long time, I don't think I gave myself permission, and now I have, I'm still fretting.
Please don’t stop, I love your writing. When I have doubts I remember this (paraphrasing someone), ‘I haven’t come this far just to come this far’. However, we all need a break from it all from time to time and as Wendy says- there are no rules. Do what you need to do- we’ll all understand if you missed a week because of life! 💕
Thanks so much, Lesley! Appreciate that. And I love that quote. Thanks for sharing it. Xx
It's good to take a step back and re-assess. Is what was working for you previously still working for you? Is this just a temporary wobble? What would you tell someone else? Or what thought processes would you go through if the question was 'Should I quite being a horse-owner?"
Thanks Mark! I absolutely love writing on here. It was only the film yesterday that threw me into panic. I’ve had many years when I couldn’t prioritise writing so I’m proud of myself for committing to this. Thanks, as always, for your support.
I struggled with consistency, and felt a lot of guilt about not posting at least once a week, right on time. Don’t leave when you love it! Post once a month, or every couple of weeks if you want to. Once I took the pressure off, I’m finding some weeks for me there are two posts, sometimes it’s a post every two weeks. It all depends on work, the kid, who’s sick, and all that real life stuff. The readers who enjoy your work will stick with you. 😊
Thanks Willow. Appreciate that. I really do love writing on here. It sounds like you have a good approach to it. Hope it’s going well and I really hope your kid is feeling better.
Are you both happy? If not, then you need to change something before you're unhappy. It doesn't necessarily have to be dropping something. That might be the answer or you might need to tweak a collection of things.
Thanks Nicole! You’re right. I think tweaking rather than dropping something is the best approach.
By the way I loved your thread last week and this week. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a bit of sunshine so you can feel reinvigorated xx
Thank you! Xx
Really well put, Liz. I relate to what you say about juggling priorities to put writing first. There were years when I was so busy with life that I shelved writing completely. Prioritising it has made me realise there were other things I could ditch, or at least cut back on.
Writing here doesn’t have to be all or nothing, though - you’re allowed down time! There are no rules.
Great that you’re in a relationship that’s mutually supportive - that’s a definite bonus.
Thanks Wendy! Appreciate that. I love writing here on Substack so I’m going to keep at it.
Keep going Liz! I for one would miss reading your words here on Substack. That being said, I think we can get too hung up on consistency - I’m sure your readers understand that you have a life away from writing too and that if you don’t nurture that properly the writing will crumble away too. Embrace the shades of grey I say. PS you’re a better woman than me hoiking a kettle bell around on a Saturday morning 🤣
Thanks Vicki! Really appreciate your support. I’m struggling to walk today after the kettlebells. 😆
Not liking the post-kettlebell hurting legs, just to clarify 😄