{"id":23531,"date":"2020-10-08T19:54:15","date_gmt":"2020-10-09T02:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=23531"},"modified":"2020-10-14T15:37:05","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T22:37:05","slug":"omg-i-published-my-novel-the-sweet-and-the-challenging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/08\/omg-i-published-my-novel-the-sweet-and-the-challenging\/","title":{"rendered":"OMG, I published my novel! The sweet and the challenging"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Recently I finalized a novel and uploaded it to the vendors. Hurrah!<\/p>\n

Lured By Light<\/a><\/em> goes live Oct. 17th, though it\u2019s already up in print here<\/a> and in ebook on Apple<\/a>. (Oops!)<\/p>\n

I found myself feeling a bit spacey and started cleaning my house \u2013 a good thing! But I also felt a bit lost.<\/p>\n

Instead of wallowing in self-pity (okay, I went there for a sec), I paused, acknowledged my feelings, then asked myself something I use when I feel spacey and unmoored.<\/p>\n

I ask, \u201cWhat am I focused on?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

I realized that I needed some downtime \u2013 I just published my novel!<\/p>\n

Then after that, I realized I was focused on worries and fears, like, \u201cWill people like my book? Is it any good at all?\u201d<\/p>\n

On the upside, my beta readers liked the new novel and my critique partners had good things to say, too.<\/p>\n

So now it is time for me to let the book find its way in the world \u2013 with my marketing help of course.<\/p>\n

Since this is the second book I\u2019ve published this year, I learned from the first one<\/a> in the spring, I\u2019m giving myself the month of October to not be editing Book 3. I intend to dabble, to play, to meander, and to replenish the creative well. If that involves some story backstory brainstorming, so be it.<\/p>\n

I love the deep dive into my book but I also love and need this light, playful time.<\/p>\n

When you find yourself unfocused, and may be down on yourself about that, ask yourself \u201cWhat am I focused on?\u201d<\/strong> and see what arises and have compassion for whatever it is.<\/p>\n

How can you take care of your concerns and give yourself what you need?<\/h3>\n

Let me know how it goes!<\/em><\/p>\n

Since it is the Plan Your Novel month in advance of November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo<\/a>) and in years past I\u2019ve taught our course<\/a> on that content, I\u2019m finding other ways to share our novel planning tools.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like support around planning your novel, specifically for pantsers, check out the new book I just released:<\/p>\n

7 Essential Keys to Planning Your Novel<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a>https:\/\/books2read.com\/7essentialkeys<\/a><\/p>\n

A short and sweet instruction booklet to help you plan your novel so you can write it with confidence, clarity, and compassion.<\/p>\n

I have a big ask regarding this book!<\/em><\/p>\n

I\u2019d love reviews for this book. So if you\u2019d like to review this 34-page book, just sign up here and I\u2019ll send you the link to download an ARC copy.<\/p>\n

Sign up to review 7 Essential Keys to Planning Your Novel<\/em>:<\/strong>
\nhttps:\/\/forms.gle\/a2k2jhnQGF8h7eaN7<\/a><\/p>\n

Upcoming Summit: Get Ready to Write Your Novel! Nanowrimo is coming!<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Since I\u2019m not teaching my own course this year, I decided to speak at the Escape the Plot Forest: The Online Plotting Summit that starts Oct. 22 — the online summit for plotting your story:<\/p>\n

Sign up here:
\nhttp:\/\/bethb.net\/storytellingsummit<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Upcoming Community Q&A Call<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a member of our Fellowship of the Pen (and if you signed up for a course, webinar, or program, then you are!), then join us for our monthly Q&A zoom call Wednesday, Oct. 21st, 3pm.<\/p>\n

This is a great opportunity to get hands-on support and gather in the company of like-minded writers.<\/p>\n

Our Q&A call on Oct. 21st will have two focuses:<\/strong><\/p>\n