X is for X Out Your Writing Anxiety
Writers face many anxieties. Let me
name the ones just off the top of my head: writing, revising, criticism from
beta readers, writer’s block, editing, deadlines, publishing, promoting,
blogging, social networking, bad reviews, nasty comments, low ratings and low
sales. All of this can be overwhelming and cause stress.
I know I’ve had some breakdowns over
editing, promoting, and reviews that weren’t so nice. But these are all things
we’re going to have to face and keep on facing as we continue with our writing
journeys.
When it comes to bad reviews, nasty
comments, and low ratings, we have to remind ourselves that it is just one
person’s opinion. The key word there is opinion. It’s not a fact, and opinions
change vastly from person to person. While what others say can hurt, the only person’s
opinion that truly matters is our own. I know I’ve been deeply bothered by
these things myself, but I am learning to X them out!
In regards to sales, the fact is sales
numbers fluctuate. I remember a month after Hurricane Crimes first came out on
Amazon when I was devastated that it dropped below rank #600,000 but it didn’t stay
there. I may get a sale here or there, or several at once, and then hit another
point where I don’t have any sales for many days. It’s normal for lesser known
authors. The only way you’ll have amazing sales figures is if you’re published
by a big house and on the NYT Bestseller’s list.
As for everything else, we need to
remember to focus on one thing at a time (whether it’s finishing a first draft or
editing). When we devote our attention to one task at a time we have a greater
chance of conquering it, and crossing it off our list with a big X. And if we keep pushing on by doing everything we can, we
will see results!
Here are 16 ways to X out your anxiety:
·
Unplug
from the Internet for at least one whole day.
·
Take
a break from writing and editing. (2-3 days tops.)
·
Don’t
read reviews with 3 star ratings or lower.
·
Pre-schedule
your blog and Facebook posts. (I do.)
·
Get
up and dance!
·
Take
a slow, deep breath, and count to ten.
·
Listen
to your favorite music. Turn it up!
·
Pick
up a book you love and read for a good hour.
·
Watch
a movie that makes you laugh.
·
Drink
a cup of chamomile tea. (I love all teas and chamomile is one of my favorites.
It’s known to be calming.)
·
Take
a hot bath with lavender oils or bubbles in the water.
·
Eat
a piece of dark chocolate. (This raises blood sugar.)
·
Reconnect
with nature by taking a walk or gardening.
·
Meditate.
·
Exercise
for at least 21 minutes.
·
Play
with your beloved pets. (Thank you, Debra.)
SHARE: Your tips for de-stressing.
QUESTION: Out of all the writing
anxieties, which one (or ones) causes you most stress?
A to Z Blogging Challenge:
Writing the first draft is my greatest anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI play my guitar to de-stress.
Playing an instrument is a great de-stresser!
DeleteThinking about how my work will be received causes anxiety. I know I need to just write and not even consider that but...I do (sometimes). Looking at stats and sales for my book also can cause anxiety. Your tips are great. My favorite ones are exercise and nature. These both get me out of my absorption with writing and the social media. What a month you've had Chrys! Your posts have been amazing!
ReplyDeleteI sometimes consider how my stories will be received too. It's hard not to since our stories will be read and people do have opinions. Sometimes harsh ones. Looking at the stats caused me anxiety in the beginning for Hurricane Crimes but I know the sales will forever change so I don't stress about that much anymore.
DeleteTHANK YOU!!!! :D
I love to go for a walk or take a bath when I'm feeling anxiety. Not only does it calm me down, but I usually get some great thinking time as well.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is going for a walk. It does calm me, helps me to think, and reconnecting with nature is nice, too. :)
DeleteHi Fey, you mentioned my methods of de-stressing: bathing, and walking. I must unplug from the Internet once a week, but they're all good pointers.
ReplyDeleteMarketing causes me the most anxiety.
Sorry, Chrys. I did know your name, really ... it's just that I've recently had a lobotomy!
DeleteMarketing is extremely stressful and, looking back, has indeed caused me the most stress.
DeleteOh don't worry about it! People call me Fey and misspell my name all the time. I don't mind. :)
If I wasn't anxious about something, I'd be worried. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha! So true, Madeline! ;)
DeleteI don't stress over much, what will be will be, stress will just kill thee lol
ReplyDeleteGood point, Pat! ;)
DeleteOh yes, I've had my fair share of breakdowns. Great tips for overcoming them!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ilima! :)
DeleteSometimes just getting away from it all helps.
ReplyDeleteIt does indeed!
DeleteChrys, I am like a little stress machine, so just about everything you mentioned stresses me out as an author. I really appreciate your 15 tips, especially the ones that incorporate herbs, exercise and meditation.
ReplyDeleteI believe in alternative medicine and natural ways to de-stress. :)
DeleteI'm been feeling kind of stressed since my release date is only 11 days away, and I know I have to get everything in order by then. Then I have another release date in June, a third sometime in the fall, plus the print version of all three books to hopefully have out this year as well. I had a lot of anxiety over asking permission for the non-public domain material quoted in the June book, but I actually got permission to quote the two George Harrison songs, for only $100 each. I kind of knew his estate/publishing company would be nice about permission and fees, but it was stressful during the process of research and asking. I'm not looking forward to asking permission for the Paul Simon song, since I've heard he's a lot more careful/stingy about granting permission.
ReplyDeleteAn approaching release date can cause a lot of stress. Wow! You have a lot of books come out. I'm envious!
DeleteThings that help me de-stress; Playing with my dogs, a drive in the country, a warm shower, a nap, a glass of wine, shoe shopping with my daughter-I also find that when I'm not so stressed, my writing flows better.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Chrys. Thanks!
Stress is a killer of creativity and can make writing harder.
DeletePlaying with pets is a great one! I'll add it to my list. Thank you, Debra! :)
My biggest anxiety is not having enough reviews, and being too under-confident to seek them out. I worry that if I send my books out to reviewers, they will all think it sucks. :S
ReplyDeleteWhen things get that bad. I usually just take some time away from the computer and watch a movie or take a walk.
Reviews cause a lot of anxiety. Not having enough, trying to get them, and then of course bad reviews.
DeleteBad reviews. Course I read one yesterday so the pain is still fresh. My mother would say you can't please everyone. I know that. But I still want to. Thank you for a wonderful post. Felt like medicine.
ReplyDeleteBad reviews are a killer! Keep your chin up, Joylene! It;s just one person's opinion.
DeleteYou're welcome. :)
You know, I actually have some 3 star reviews that are glowing, and it leaves my hubby and I scratching our heads as to why they rated the book 3 stars. Some people think 3 stars means, "It was good." No people. No. It means, "It was palpable, but I probably wouldn't come back for more." Anyhow, back to the cheese...
ReplyDeleteDeadlines cause me the most stress. I hate them. Truly and honestly. BUT, they're a necessary evil.
True Heroes from A to Z
Really? The 3-star reviews I've received are nit-picky and nasty. I know we don't want 3-stars but I'd rather of your nice ones then my mean ones. haha
DeleteI haven't had to worry much with deadlines, but when I have I know it causes chaos!
I always worry that my current book isn't as good or better than the one before. I want to improve with every book but I'm never sure I can.
ReplyDeleteExactly! That is what I am feeling right now with 30 Seconds that'll be coming out in a matter of months. And I'm writing the sequel to Hurricane Crimes, so I'm afraid it won't be as good as the first.
DeleteI can de-stress from writing anxiety by painting, and de-stress from painting anxiety from writing. I can de-stress from both by reading a good book or watching a good movie. Chocolate helps.
ReplyDeleteDeb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Oh boy! You have anxieties with both things you love to do. Reading is a great de-stresser.
DeleteI think one other thing I do to overcome writing anxieties is to talk to those who love me, who won't judge, and who will help me put things back into perspective.
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic
A support system is important. I'm glad you have one! :)
DeleteThose Amazon rankings are all over the place, aren't they? I have deliberately been staying away from all that. I don't want to get caught up in the "how many have I sold today?" cycle. Checking it doesn't change anything, so it's better to obsess over selling more books!
ReplyDeleteI no longer pay attention to Amazon rankings. You're right that checking it doesn't change a thing.
DeleteGood tips, Chrys. CSI or Law & Order help take me away from the stress. A good book does that too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, J.L.! A show or book you can escape to always helps. :)
DeleteFantastic post, Chrys! I experience many, if not, all of these anxieties at different phases of my writing ventures. But the one that has the ability to drive me absolutely insane the most is promoting and trying to stay connecting with everyone, especially on Twitter. Lately, I've been taking it a few steps back and getting back to what matters the most; our writing!! But I always feel bad if I can't answer all of my tweets or continuously promote for my book and blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some really AWESOME tips=) Lately, I've been doing a lot of unplugging from social media and working out more because I almost forgot how much I loved to exercise!
I think we all end up experiencing all of the writing anxieties I listed (and more) at one point or another. Many people don't realize how stressful it is to be a writer. But it is!
DeleteYou're welcome! Lately, I've been focusing my mind on things to calm my worry over all of my current struggles by taking walks, snapping pictures everywhere I go, and reading. :)
I don't really have a writing anxiety. It's more like a reading anxiety in the sense that I always tend to be unsatisfied with my own stuff when I re-read it later. To destress, I listen to black metal, or go skiing. Now, unfortunately, the winter is almost over (only one more skiing weekend left)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
You're lucky that you don't have writing anxieties.
DeleteI used to have the same problem with reading my own work and not being satisfied, but that was because I kept comparing my writing to other authors, like Nora Roberts. I learned not to do that. My writing is mine, and hers is hers. :)
No writing anxieties--used to suffer from such, but have settled into a view of my writing as a part of growth.
ReplyDeleteOver from the A to Z.
That's great, Susan!
DeleteGreat post. I step away from the computer and do something else to ease away my anxieties. Marketing causes me the most stress. I'll be querying in a month, and I'm already stressing about that!
ReplyDeleteMarketing indeed does cause the most stress. At least for me, too. Marketing is what caused me to not eat properly or drink enough water, which is never good.
DeleteGOOD LUCK!!!!
Get up and dance is what I need to do! I went to a book store today and I got there at 10 am and when I looked up it was 5:20 pm!
ReplyDeleteWow! I would actually love to spend all day in a book store. ;)
DeleteYour posts are both practical and encouraging. I felt more relaxed even just reading that list. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen! Your comment made my day. :)
DeleteIt definitely takes a thick skin to stick with the writing game after publication and what comes of offering your work up to the masses for sometimes harsh judgement. ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree. But what's funny is that I would normally say I don't have thick skin. haha
DeleteHey Chrys, when you lay it all out like this, the writer's life is pretty darn stressful. I think No 1 would be too stressful - seriously, unplug from the net? You gotta be joshin' me! There's always the phone, I 'spose.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on doing a stellar A-Z. I have enjoyed the posts I've read.
Denise
It is pretty darn stressful! lol
DeleteYes, but the internet can cause a lot of stress and burnout, so unplugging can help some to recharge their batteries.
Thank you!! :D
Ooh I think "Get up and dance" is my favorite! Great tips. I play with the kids, watch movies, spend time with my hubby, and read. They each help. ;)
ReplyDeleteAll of those things are great ways to de-stress. :)
DeleteThose are fantastic tips! I use the reading, bubble bath and playing with pets ones all the time, and not just for anxiety relief, but because I love them.
ReplyDeleteI think submitting my work and rewriting cause the most anxiety for me. Submitting my work because I've had a very bad experience that still causes me to doubt myself, and rewriting because I HATE it! I'm solving that problem a little by limiting how many times I will rewrite a novel. Gone are the days of showing it to ten different people and getting ten different opinions. It wastes so much time.
And--hopefully this is good news--you CAN get huge sales as a self-published author. I know several people who have done it. You need great content, a strong and plentiful backlist of books, an eye-catching professional cover, tons of persistence, a little luck, and the willingness and know-how to keep marketing. But it can and will happen. :)
Submitting our work is always stressful. Not only the wait, but the fear of rejection and even criticism.
DeleteOuch. I can just imagine the kind of rewrites would go into a book after giving it to 10 different people. Right now, I do 2-3. After that I personally think it's too much.
The backlist of books is key. I am a new author, with just one ebook out, so getting those sales is tricky now. But I know that the more I publish, the more sales I'll get. :)
You're right though . . . it CAN and WILL happen. :)
Thanks for the very honest post. I've been through the same thing you have and it can be very depressing. Very. Depressing. But that's life. We plod onward.
ReplyDeleteWe do plod onward. And always will. :) Thank you for your comment, Lexa!
DeleteI de-stress by going and watching episodes of Mission Impossible (the original series) - they always win and make everything right. If you watch too many you end up thinking that all the world's problems can be solved by five people with face masks and over active imaginations, but it works for me :).
ReplyDeleteMy biggest stresser is low sales - I hate having a bad month. I don't like bad reviews, but I can compartmentalise them because, as you say, they are only an opinion. They are sometimes annoying, especially when the review simply complains the book wasn't long enough when it clearly says it's a short story in the description :).
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)
YES! I just got a 2-star review and the first sentence said "I didn't know this was a short story." That aggravated me because everywhere I promoted my ebook I made it clear it was a short story. There's a statement declaring it's a short story before the blurb! But what can I do? People will be . . . people. haha ;)
DeleteAmazing tips :) Shot and simple ^_^
ReplyDeletewww.IndianBeautyCenter.Blogspot.in
Editing content that is not my own that has to go live soon causes me the most stress, Chrys. Not until I see a mistake when it has gone live do the stress levels rise. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I saw your A for the A to Z. You have clearly comprehensively covered anything a writer needs to know about all aspects of both the craft and marketing it.
http://ragtaggiggagon.blogspot.ie/2014/04/z-is-for-zoo.html
That would cause me stress too!
DeleteYou're welcome. And I like to hear that because that was my goal. :D
I watch birds fly or snowflakes fall Good post!
ReplyDeleteBoth of those are very relaxing. :)
Delete