Writing

The short story:

I’m writing my book this year. It’s a novel. It’s – – – – not what I thought I’d ever write. But it’s also fun.

And I’d like to know: are you writing yours?

And if you are, come and join me – free – in a Facebook group {click here} for book writing.

It’s for you if you have found the deepest writing secret that is common knowledge, really:

Your book won’t write itself.

Book.Write.Now. is for us to get together and … WRITE.

Yes, you write by yourself. But if you’ve just been onto Facebook and said to us that you’ll sit and write for the next hour, then check in and tell us what you did? Guess what? You’ll be far more likely to actually do it. Surprise, huh?

There’ll be occasion to share writing too, if that floats your boat. Because sharing is how our writing gets out there, and sometimes that needs a safe space and some practice before it gets easier.

It’s all a bit fast and loose right now, because I really want to see how we can evolve this to suit what we need in order to get our books done, together.

Let’s build what we need, as we go.

I’ll be there, writing.

Join me?

If you’re wanting background, here’s the longer story:

I’ve usually thought of myself as a writer. But – obvs – I’ve not written a book. Yet.

When I was doing my year planner for my business this year, I was trying to answer questions like, “What courses, offerings and programs will you offer this year?” and “What will you sell to make your income goals?” and “How much of it all will you sell to make those goals?”

And I felt dull, uninspired, and just plain MEH.

Normally, I’d just push through a feeling like this. (I’m good at that; pushing for a deadline, pushing to get things done.) I have a habit of thinking that business needs to feel like this, too.

But this year? Something in me refused to do this.

So I listened. And waited to see what would come.

And as I waited, I realised:

  • I felt burnt out.
  • I felt uninspired to run my business as I did last year.
  • I wanted to change something, but didn’t know what.

And I had no answers, for a long time.

It was scary, because I felt I couldn’t start my working year until I figured it out. (of course, I had start dates for editing clients that I was committed to, as well as coaching clients that I simply would not abandon in the middle of working together, and was looking forward to those jobs – have I mentioned that I love my clients? Well, I do.)

As I waited, I tried to do as much relaxing and trusting my gut as I could.

I resolutely put my laptop away, and didn’t so much as glance at it once for a few weeks. (and I know that sounds like I had the luxury to do that – but it was time that I had to defend strongly, against many different things that demanded my time)

I gently tried to do my biz planner, every now and again.

And if it felt good, I did it, and when it felt blah, I stopped.

And I went back to trusting.

Trusting that the answer would come.

That if I listened, my gut, my instinct, would come through.

And it did.

It wasn’t a large bang and flash, and a voice from on high.

It was a small, still voice, and only really came through when I had a conversation with Himself (my husband) about why I was so resistant to business planning this year.

Basically, I sat him down, said, “I need to talk through this feeling and I need you to listen please.”

And Gods love him, he did.

And as I talked, I solved my own problem just by talking it through.

I said:

I feel burnt-out, and I just don’t want to do all the biz stuff that I feel like I’m supposed to this year.

I feel like I’m supposed to push and push and create biz stuff and I just don’t feel like doing it.

All of the things that I think of to do make me feel dragged down, rather than lit up.

The only thing that I get a sense of light about when I think of doing it is writing this book I’ve been playing at the edges of for years.

It’s like when I think of writing it, I see a bank of floodlights light up, and my angels and guides give me a standing ovation.

(and there’s the high woo-factor, right there!)

After I’d finished talking, I realised that it was MUCH more complicated in my head, than it really was in practice.

Essentially, I had my plan – I was just thinking that I had to somehow force myself to run my business like I thought it had to run, rather than doing what worked for me. (Something I usually keep in mind, but seems I’d forgotten it conveniently this time and hopped aboard the drama train.)

So I’m writing my book this year. And editing some others. Join me?