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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
I'm still on hiatus and editing like a crazy fiend. I'm making progress. In November I attended a writing retreat where author Kevin J. Anderson was the visiting writer. Very nice man and very inspirational. He's all about writing productivity. He's published 130 books.
Yeah, you read that right. Seriously, I'm so motivated to do more than I've been doing. Have you heard about his SuperStars Writing Conference? I would love to be able to afford to go.
I worry though. I only have so much time. While I want to do better, produce more in a shorter time, what am I willing to sacrifice to do it?
So many things to consider.
Yeah, you read that right. Seriously, I'm so motivated to do more than I've been doing. Have you heard about his SuperStars Writing Conference? I would love to be able to afford to go.
I worry though. I only have so much time. While I want to do better, produce more in a shorter time, what am I willing to sacrifice to do it?
So many things to consider.
How many books? Wow, that would take me almost two hundred years to write that many.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
DeleteHe sounds like someone who would be great to attend a conference with. But if you have limited time, your family is more important.
ReplyDeleteHe has a great sense of humor. And his list of published books (like the Dune prequels) is impressive.
Delete130 books?!! Wow! Sounds like an awesome conference!
ReplyDeleteLots of mini lessons.
DeleteThere is never enough time. Ever.
ReplyDeleteYou got that right!
DeleteDamn, 130 beats me by 30 at my sea, although kids book are way shorter to write haha so I cheat a bit. Life is more important though, especially since you have one lol
ReplyDeleteYeah. His books are kind of long. :D
DeleteGreat self-reflecting question! Recently, I decided to go easier on myself. I push hard to meet deadlines, and I'll be honest that meeting deadlines is a must for me. But as far as trying to write for every anthology or site or whatever, I've eased up on myself. I have four kids and two are already in college. My next one is a senior in high school next year, and the baby just turned twelve. Spending valuable (and short-lived time) with them is of greater importance sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI'm fortunate that my kids are grown. But my grandkids aren't.
DeleteIt's always about trade-offs, isn't it? I spoke to my brother last night for the first time in a while and he thought it was impressive that I was writing while working full time. But there are plenty of things I've given up in order to do that. Good luck with the editing!
ReplyDeleteWe do give things up. I don't miss TV. But there are other things I do.
Deletewhaaat? 130 books? How can there be quality with such quantity? I'd rather write two memorable ones to be read for centuries, than write a book each month :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the interesting part of it--they are quality. And he's also collaborated on many of them (which is no easy thing, I hear). He's been involved with lots of books in the Star Wars world and the Dune world. That's what his process is all about and what he teaches. It's a matter of discipline, focus, and time management.
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/Kevin-J.-Anderson/e/B000AQ0072
I cut out watching TV, which I don't miss. I noticed that my writing shot up when I did that. I also cut out my evening walks, since those were long (2 hours), and instead I do higher impact exercises in shorter spurts. I try to work on 2-3 manuscripts a year, but don't think I can do anymore than that working full-time.
ReplyDeleteHe climbs mountains and talks the book as he climbs. He hires a transcriber to take the words he's spoken and provide them to him in an editable document. I edit while I'm on my treadmill.
DeleteThe working full time is my challenge too. Too bad I have to eat. ;)
On the one hand I envy (just a tiny little bit) people who can pump out novels like that. But on the other hand, to write that many, I wonder if it isn't formulaic. I could probably write more books if I dictated too... that would be nice.
ReplyDeleteHe talked about how his projects came about--many by invitation. It's a cool story. His major point is that unless you manage to hit it big (like Meyer or Rowling) early on, your likelihood of making a real living off of writing is by putting out more than one book a year.
DeleteWow! 130? Oh, my! And how to even read all those?
ReplyDeleteI know, right? If they're audiobooks, I could very easily.
DeleteGood luck with all the editing Donna.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna *coughdolorahcough*
DeleteThat guy is now my writing super star. I mean what?
ReplyDeleteSeriously! Even if I can never reach is level of productivity, aspiring to something akin to it must help.
DeleteI admire your determination to do it. That's one step closer to what you want. I hope you reach your target/deadline and I hope to read what you're working on soon.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this workshop, but I'm heading over to the site to read more. Thanks!
Happy Christmas!