It's Ok to Not Be Ok as a Writer

Most of the time, I'm confident about my work. Maybe eighty-five percent of the time. Then there are moments that make me doubt why I even get up in the morning.

Brandon Sanderson is already brilliant. His teaching videos on YouTube have been inspiring some of my world building.

Today he announced he has written four extra novels (and a possible graphic novel) while in COVID-19 quarantine.

Yes. He did. In case you’re not familiar with him, he writes long books. Robert Jordan did too. And Brandon finished The Wheel of Time series out after the author's death. He’s talented as hell and a nice person.

But did he have to write four extra books on top of his already full release schedule?

I closed my eyes after reading about his announcement and subsequent Kickstarter. I’m writing this on Tuesday at 8pm. The Kickstarter sits at 11.6 million dollars. Watch his announcement video for all the details.

My point is he writes like a machine. Excellent writing. Stuff that keeps fans craving any book he writes.

You want to know the most common trait of bestselling authors? They write regularly. Many write daily. It’s a job and a pleasure most of the time. Whether a book hits the lists can be guess work for an author. But if you’ve got incredible output, you rake in the rewards. I’m not just talking about money.

Consistency is the number one lesson. Period. If you don’t practice writing, your writing will never improve. You must want it enough to write when it’s a tough story that has you frustrated. Or when you’ve got a headache or want a mental health day.

But full-time writers are writing all the time, even if words aren't dribbling out through their fingers. They’re IN their stories. Those writers that do in person research weave in the little stories from the surrounding setting into the tapestry of their books.

Photo by **Kostiantyn Stupak** from **Pexels**

I don’t always get words down. There are excuses. Of course there are. But I’m doing something writing related every single day I draw breath.

Today I was playing tug with the puppy when I realized my hero couldn’t act very heroic at this point in the story. It’s one of his flaws. We all have them. The idea of how to resolve this struck me when the puppy threw the toy at my head. Bam.

But I sure didn’t write five extra stories in 2020 and 2021. That’s on me.

He’s calling the books his secret. When I heard about his secret, my head drooped like a sedated horse. Awake but not aware. In my mind, I could hear things. “You just don’t want it enough.” Or “You need to be more professional and get product ready to go.” There were some darker ones where I wondered if I should even show up to the keyboard today.

That’s on me. That’s my head space. That’s something I’m going to have to resolve soon.

I reframed and repented with a few seconds. In my head, I opened a garbage can and let all the muck squish its way out of my mind. What he did is fantastic. I want to do that. But do I really? There is always that lingering doubt nibbling away at anything broadcasting with joy.

No. I don’t have that kind of time. Oh, we all have the same twenty-four hours. And I spend considerable time consuming instead of creating. Could I do what he did? I’m not sure I could even if I buckled down.

Here’s what I know. Where I’m at today doesn’t leave room for that kind of output. I have written more in the last couple of years than ever before in my life. But I’m not that kind of writer right now.

You know what's awesome. I can cheer him on and not pile unneeded goo all over my brain. When I celebrate with other people, the world opens up for me. Love for others opens more doors than being a jealous jerk ever will.

Please watch the video. It’s fun and also a love letter to fans and other writers. I can’t wait to read the first book.

What do you think of his secret projects? Are you looking forward to the extra stories?