It’s been a slow writing week for me which means I’ve read as much as I possibly can.  I have a new eBook which took a novel to get used to but is now an essential part of my writing toolkit.  Stephen King talks about writing toolkits in his wonderful memoir On Writing (which I recommend to every emerging writer).  It’s something I keep in mind when I get a new tool like an eReader.  Every writer needs to read books and so a Kobo (or whatever) gives me an easy way to read a book everyday whilst I’m travelling.  So far this week, I’ve been to Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chigaco, Miami and I’m now in Austin.  It’s impossible to write when moving around so much, but it is possible to read heaps.  And because reading helps me think about the book I’m going to start working on next then I’ll happily add my Kobo to my toolkit.

There are other crucial tools for writers – vocabulary, grammar, storyline, characters, style, voice – but making time for reading is the best way to inspire your work.  An eReader is as well designed as a book made of paper but it is a useful tool.  One I’m glad to have.

I remember reading somewhere an essay all about book publication day.  The writer, whose name I can’t remember, tells of spending the entire day feeling like something HUGE might happen.  Toward the end of the day, another writer friend of hers who also has a book out on the same day phones and the two of them laugh like crazy. They’ve both been anticipating this huge event and not a single thing has changed.  The essay is very funny and wise – it reminds you as a writer not to be too attached to end results.  BUT it also gives you as a writer the excuse to feel that weird anticipation – the feeling I have today.  My second book is published today.  Surely something HUGE should happen in my life to mark this momentous occasion!

Nothing huge will happen.  Of course the sky won’t split in two, the world won’t sway on its hinges.  But I am a little changed by today – I feel pleased and proud and nervous and excited and worried, like you will when you get your stories and books published.  

The strange anticipation of today will be with me until bedtime tonight, I imagine, and then I’ll get on with writing the next book.  After all, writing is the best way for a writer to spend their time.  And the pleasure and pain of book publication day will be over until the next time…

Sometimes you really don’t feel like writing. Not one bit. The thought of getting any words on the page is scary or tiring or just impossible with all the other things going on in your life. I find it hard to turn to a blank page with the distraction of the internet – news about the ash cloud or the election, facebook to check, twitter to scroll through, my inbox to deal with – or the millions of daily tasks that seem to grow in number every day.

Right now, I want to work on a new book. I have ideas which come to me late at night or when I’m doing one of those millions of tasks. But getting myself to actually write is challenging. If this is happening to you, then here’s my advice. Give yourself a break. Let yourself off writing for a few days. Build up a head of steam. Tell yourself that on (choose day) at (choose time) for (choose length of time) you WILL be writing. During your time off, let yourself think about the project you want to work on. Allow the words to tumble through your mind. By the time it gets to your chosen day, you’ll be glad to get all those words that are pressing at your brain down on the page because while you’ve given yourself a break and stopped nagging yourself you’ll have let some of the joy come back into writing.

And remember, when you get to the blank page don’t worry about every word being perfect. Just let yourself write and have fun.

It sound so easy when I write it for you! Now I just need to really give myself a break…allow myself some time off…build up a head of steam…