Welcome to our very first Pep Rally 🎉 We're thrilled to have you here!
Pep Rally is Boola Bos’s brand new weekly writer’s clinic! Every Wednesday, we open up a Substack thread to all writers for a full day of questions, advice, and writerly camaraderie.
Throughout the day we’ll be diving into productivity, mindset and motivation, and craft!
Hit the button below to come say hello and then pop back in throughout the day to get answers to your questions, meet other writers, and get motivated 🤩
Let’s kick things off by getting to know each other. Tell us a bit about yourself:
1. I'm working on my second novel! My first is on submission and has been for almost four months. Ugh. That's another story.
2. The challenge I am facing is that I just decided to change my 75k word novel from first-person to third-person, after having provided my writing group a few chapters of this change and all of them enthusiastically voting for the change. I've made the switch, and now I have to clean up the rest of the novel, which is due to my agent on 8/15. My challenges are: 1) I keep thinking my novel is crap and that I'm insane to think I could get it in good enough shape in two weeks and 2) I'm not sure it's high-concept enough, so I'm rethinking everything. This has a lot to do with the aforementioned novel on submission. So I guess my challenge is just the voice in my head!
3. Today I hope to write a 300-word scene. That's it. Because -- here's a kicker! -- I have Covid. lol.
Good luck to all my fellow writers! I am here to support you! ❤️
Kolina! What a massive achievement to be working on your second novel! You definitely have your work cut out for you, changing from first to third is a LOT. You kinda fool yourself into thinking it won't be because, hey surely it's just switching out the "I" for "she" right? (Even though you know it's not quite as simple as that) and then you start and it feels so massive and has such global effects on the story. So, 1: I would defo recommend taking a bit of time to acknowledge how far you've come on your writing journey, how hard you've worked, all the ups and downs, and what a big undertaking you're currently undertaking. And then, just as you would if you were speaking to your best friend, congratulate yourself, tell yourself how proud you are of yourself, acknowledge that what you're doing is a lot and it's normal to have a lot of big emotions. And then I think it's very important to try and find a way to be in a space where you are a writer, a creative, an artist, where it's just you and this story and you're helping each other to figure out how to get to the end of it and crucially, where it's okay to make "mistakes" (what I would actually call playing, i.e., trying things out without any concern about whether they'll work or not). In essence, I think you need to find a way, when you're working on the book at least, to step back from the space where you are an author, have a platform, are considering the desires of the market, your agent, readers... There's absolutely a time and place for that part of you and they're important considerations but my sense is that allowing that part of yourself into the part that's creating can cause fear, anxiety, stress, second-guessing, and that lack of trust in yourself as an artist, in your instincts can wreak havoc when you're trying to create. How is this sounding to you? Does it resonate or does it feel a little beside the point? If it resonates and you're looking for ways to reconnect with that writer / artist space, let us know and we can provide some practical suggestions!
Gahhh, thank you so much. You're right, I do need to step away from the author space and move into a creator space. I have 2.5 days with no children next week and am hoping to be fully recovered so I can have a very productive couple days of writing.
If you have practical suggestions for reconnecting with the artist space, please do share! Thanks again!
My MIL gifted me a candle for my birthday that says “Smells like Kolina is writing a bestseller.” So I’ve been burning that. I love the idea of meditating before. Will try that tomorrow! Thank you for allllll your support 💓
2.5 days sans kids will be great! Some suggestions for switching into that artist space: if possible, have one space, one soundtrack (of brown moise, beta waves, etc.), one scented candle, one particular aromatherapy scent that you use ONLY when writing. Your brain will bery quickly come to associate those as signals that it's time to get into creative mode which will help you focus on wamhat you're supposed to be focusing on. Before your creative session, I highly recommend ten or so minutes of breath work or meditation. If at all possible (and this can be difficult with kids and life in general), try to do your creative work as early as possible, for example after you've packed the kids off for the day but before you've spent time in your inbox, on social, or even reading the news. The less stimuli you put in (especially stimuli that relates to the business side of writing such as your author instagram or Publishers Lunch emails), the easier it will be for you to maintain a quiet space for you and your story.
Being on submission for months at a time is tough. I've been there myself and remember the feeling! Love that you're keeping busy by working on the second, even though I know the self-doubt -- and your deadline -- is such a challenge. Can you get an extension from your agent? Especially since you have Covid! Agents (and editors) are very used of giving out extensions. Too used of it! lol
Today we've been talking a lot about fear. The fear that all the time, energy, effort, resources, and hope we've poured into our manuscripts and into our dreams of becoming an author will come to nothing. This is not uncommon among writers. Objectively it is a really tough industry to break into. One thing is for certain though: learning how to experience fear without letting it stop you is key. If you've experienced this, these simple tips might be a good place to start:
Reframe Fear: View fear as a sign of growth and opportunity rather than a barrier. Embrace it as a natural part of the creative process that indicates you're pushing your boundaries (something that is crucial).
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when facing fear. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment and remind yourself that it's okay to be afraid. Self-compassion can reduce the intensity of fear and make it more manageable. (There loads of well documented benefits to increased self-compassion, more on this later!)
Visualization Techniques: Regularly visualize yourself successfully navigating and overcoming fearful situations. Imagining positive outcomes can help you feel more prepared and less intimidated by your fears.
I'm Bronwen, I live in Toronto, I JUST finished what will hopefully be the last major revision of my WIP before querying 🤞I'm super happy about it but also STRESSED, I feel like the stakes are super high (what if things don't go the way I want them to with querying / publication / etc.). I usually do pretty well in terms of having a (hopefully realistic!) sense of self-belief but it feels low atm. Today, I'm not doing any writing as I need a break! But I am reading and thinking about my next story ☺️
Finishing touches on my editing gig today. But then? Work to bring together the ending of my current Substack installments. There are several open threads to tie up and a converging timeline. Why did I choose such a crazy thing? I may also research for my WIP being “bootcamped” this autumn.
My brain feels so scattered right now. Focus is hard!
Just being well and getting some things completed or closer to completion. I’ve also been exposed to Covid (sorry to hear about you, Kolina!), so taking it easy.
Hi Nicole! So nice to connect with you :) Totally hear you on the scattered front, I've been there! It can feel really challenging to know what writing-related things to spend time on (for example, actually writing, but also being on social media, growing a Substack, researching agents, researching future projects, improving various craft elements). And that's before you even account for the rest of life... groceries, childcare, recovering from Covid! A lot of writers I've worked with have become frustrated because they've tried lots of different time-management tools to try and squeeze it all in and it doesn't seem to help. In my experience, what's often very helpful is figuring out what the priority is, giving more time to that, and less time to other things. But that can be a bit of a process. It can be hard to figure out what the most important thing is and then it can be really, really hard to let some thing slide a little. I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, Covid is a lot! If you'd like some practical suggestions to help with what I was talking about above (priorities, etc.), let us know and we can share some!
Hey Emily! Yay for working on your new novel! Tell me a little bit more about the procrastinating. When does it typically happen? And is this a recent thing or has it been ongoing for awhile?
Hi Meredith! Wow, there's a lot going on! That's really exciting about the R&R. How do you feel about the agent's notes? Do they resonate with you and feel like what the story needs? And how do you feel about your ability to implement them? Are you feeling good about it?
I said R&R to avoid extra explanation, but I should definitely explain! So I received great feedback from the 4 Rising Star judges (of the WFWA competition) — very complimentary, but they all told me to lost my first 3 pages (a 9/11 scene). That next week, I got a full request. I decided to delete the scene and make the necessary revisions (basically rewriting the first 15-20 pages) and going through the entire MS to be sure there are no holes. I’ve also noticed my writing has improved a ton since I wrote that book and am polishing a TON as I go! So now you know why I said R&R … though I didn’t mean to suggest anything special!
Wow, that's do fantastic that you got such positive feedback from the judges! And it's so helpful when everyone's feedback aligns, makes life a lot easier!! Excited for this revision. Sending you all the luck! ✨️
1) 4th/5th.... 6th? revision of my manuscript, Ocracoke's Daughter
2) Right now I'm trying to bridge the gap between being a new/beginning writer to an intermediate writer. My goals are to land a freelance gig, get published in a "respected" lit mag, and get full or partial requests when I start querying again. This has been SUPER TOUGH. 0/3 in 2024. Sad face.
3) Today I am super excited/anxious to meet with my beta readers and see what they think of the ending of my novel!
Hi Stacy! So nice to connect! Congrats on the progress with Ocracoke's Daughter. You should be proud of how far you've come, it's no mean feat to get to the fourth (or fifth or sixth!) draft so well done! I admire your drive and tenacity. It can be a really tough and long road and it's hard to eke out time for all the different things one seems to need to do (not just writing but also platform-building, etc.) My only advice would be to ensure you're spending adequate time on the most important thing (usually the work itself as well of course as your own wellbeing, but this varies from person to person), and not spreading yourself too thin across too many writerly pursuits. I'm excited for you to hear what your beta readers thought!
Hi Katherine! The dark academia sounds so exciting! Delighted you're spending some time dreaming up a new story, it's the best. Oh that pesky imposter syndrome, it always seems to be lurking and very often comes along with perfectionism. It can definitely feel like other people are doing things so perfectly (writing amazing things, getting amazing book deals) and so they must be experts and / or be naturally gifted and / or have all the right education and experience and connections. One thing I'll remind you of (because I know you already know) is that the vast majority of people, perhaps almost everyone, has had times where they felt like they didn't know what they were doing, weren't sure if they had the talent / skill / intelligence / knowledge / time to do good work, that they were in some way a "fraud" and that soon someone was going to out them, that they were dumb, untalented, you name it... This is unfortunately very common and for sure a healthy sense of scepticism around your talent or ability can be helpful but the date show that we are living in a culture where perfectionism is on the rise and where our expectations of ourselves and of each other are increasing. It's really critical to set aside time to counteract this and a good way to do this is to regularly practice positive self-talk. If this resonates with you and you'd like some practical pointers, let us know and we can share! Also bear in mind that people who are prone to perfectionism tend to underestimate how self-critical they are which can become a bit of a vicious cycle.
Who doesn’t love a bit of positive self-talk, eh! Here’s a few easy things you could try. Some might resonate, some might, I think the key is to keep an open mind and really commit to giving something a fair go.
Gratitude Practice: Each day, list three things you are grateful for. Focusing on positive aspects of your life helps shift your mindset from negative to positive (there’s loads of data to support this)
Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend or loved one. Acknowledge any mistakes without harsh self-criticism and focus on learning and growth. Remember that when things don’t go as you planned, it might really suck but it’s also provides an opportunity to learn something and perhaps try a new way.
Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with positive people who uplift and support you. Their positive energy can influence your mindset and self-talk.
Visualization: Visualize your successes and positive outcomes. Picture yourself achieving your goals and enjoying the benefits of your hard work. I don’t know this works but studies show that it does!
Also, I think it’s important to just remember that 95% of people started from nowhere, sure some ppl have a leg up but most just got to where they wanted to go by learning to not let their fear stop them, and how to keep going after rejection or failure. You’ve got this :)
Yay! I’ve been loving reading everyone’s responses. Here are mine:
1. I’m working on the first revision for one of my novels because I finally picked one to commit to working on.
2. One writing challenge I’ve been having is feeling like I’m not good enough, that what I write isn’t going to be enjoyed by anyone.
3. I had hoped to work on revisions today, but had some stuff pop up. However, I still met with my writing partners and we had a blast catching up, talking industry, and what we’re reading.
Hi Miranda! Oh boy, we've all been there. Writing a book is a long process and it's natural to lurch into worrying about what readers will think, what agents will think, if there'll be a market, whether one has the chops, and on and on and on. This can be really damaging to your creativity, as a writer and artist most ppl need to feel safe, unjudged, and be able to trust their own instincts to be able to do their beat work. A really useful thing to do here is to stick to the facts. When you hear yourself wondering if you're good enough or if ppl will like what you write you are firmly in the realm of conjecture. Bring it back to the facts: what have your beta readers said, what published books (that ppl must have enjoyed as evidenced by the fact that they're published) are similar to yours. Also, please remember, tattoo it on your forehead of you must, that EVERY writer started out not writing well. The ones who you love and admire were not able to write well at all at one point. And look at them now. The only way they got to where they are now is by accepting the discomfort of feeling like they weren't good enough yet and sticking with it, working on their craft, being open to feedback, and keeping at it. You've got this, Miranda 💪
Hey Steph! So nice to connect! Your WIP sounds so great. Excited to hear you're on your second draft. The climax and resolution are two very tough parts to nail. My only advice would be to trust your gut as you write, let it flow, don't worry whether you get the climax and resolution perfect in this draft, and try to stay as open as you can to where the story wants to take you.
Hello, hello! I'm Mirella, I'm a Seattle-based therapist and writer and aspiring author.
1. I am returning to the revision of my memoir manuscript after taking a two-month break to get a (related) clinical certification in treating survivors of narcissistic abuse. I also just started a Substack about a month ago where I write about my pursuit of publication and share what I'm learning (or what I've figured out for myself) as I go.
2. One challenge I am facing is just the sheer volume of things I have coming down the pipeline. I have to complete a re-credentialing process that I do every two years with the insurance panels that I'm on for my therapy practice, I also am getting feedback on three personal essays from the editor-in-chief of a literary magazine I really respect that I expect to receive any day now, and additionally, I'm going to be meeting with a branding strategist next week.
3. I'm coming to the end of my day as the woman who cares for my son while I work is going to be leaving momentarily, so I think for now, my biggest goal for the rest of the day is just to be present for (and with) my son, and then do some good planning for how I will use my time tomorrow.
Hi Mirella! That certainly sounds like a lot! All wonderful things though :) I find when life is very busy and, for whatever reason, it's not possible to even temporarily offload some things that the key is to actually slow down. So often ppl start putting in more hours, skipping breaks, etc. in a bid to grind through but in my experience this usually has the opposite effect. I would, wherever possible, stick firmly to your self care routines around eating, sleeping, resting, moving, and connecting. Sending you power in this busy but exciting phase!
Great Pep, Bron! My day started with 2 inches of water in the basement so my to do list went out the window, but...
1. I'm working on draft 3 of my WIP - adding emotional depth and correcting some elements of setting (note to self: next time do research before drafting.)
2. My biggest challenge is feeling like I don't need to spend 9 years on this manuscript only have it completely ignored by agents (like the last one)
3. I hope to find the excitement I feel when a revision really works and the scene becomes so emotionally important that I picture myself being interviewed about it in the future. (hey we all have vivid imaginations, right?)
Hi Debbie! Oh boy, I'm so sorry to hear about the basement... I hope it all goes smoothly with getting it dry and with the insurance. That's exciting that you're working on your third draft! Re: research, I've found you never really know what's gonna come up and it's normal when drafting to discover gaps in your knowledge about something that you'll later need to go and research. I would say when drafting just drift, wait and obey; later you can fill in the gaps :) I really hear you on point two. It's difficult not to spend time thinking about how much time, energy, resources you've put into it and not be afraid that you won't get the outcome you want (securing an agent, selling the book, etc.) The problem of course is that that can start to negatively impact your creativity, or your ability to create without fear. I think it's really important to cultivate your self-compassion, that voice in your head that speaks to you with the tenderness of a friend, who, when you make a mistake, pipes up to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, that you're only human. That part of you is the part that will help you navigate the very real considerations about the challenges of getting an agent, selling a book, without tipping over into fear or hopelessness. You can get strategic about building that self-compassion muscle, even five minutes a day can help to strengthen it. If this resonates with you, let us know and we can share some practical tips for increasing it! Another worthwhile pursuit is creating for the experience of it only. i.e., writing (or drawing or dancing or whatever) with a solemn promise to yourself that what you create will never be judged in any way or seen by anyone else. This can help you to reconnect with the pure act of creating which can sometimes be difficult to maintain when commercial considerations get mixed in.
I totally feel you on #2. I spent 3-4 years writing/revising/querying my 1st manuscript before paying for a partial developmental edit. She suggested restructuring the pacing and that scared the crap outta me so I shelved it. I'm slooooowly plugging my way back through it but I'm worried that might become a book that never sees the light of day.
I've spent another 3-4 years on manuscript #2 and the last year or so revising, getting beta feedback, etc. I definitely feel differently about this one and am doing way more in the way of learning craft so I'm still holding out hope BUT I also fear that I will still be in this same position years later. So far, not a single request from agents. Hoping to finish up yet another round of edits & start querying again in the fall. Hopefully the webinars & evaluations I've paid for are about to pay off.
I also have had some really exciting "revision ideas" from my current beta readers and totally rehearse future interviews lol. Dream big!!
This all sounds so exciting and I really admire your fantastic attitude! In my experience the best writers are usually the ones that stick with it amd learn how to continue enjoying and being excited by the process.
I'm sorry for joining late. I'm quite overwhelmed with emails lately and they just continue to pile up in my inbox. (anyone else?)
I'm currently working on a post for MomsLA.com - I am a regularly contributing writer for the site and have at least one post due each week.
I'm also querying my memoir-in-essays about life with an invisible disability. I spent some time this morning researching agents, trying to find that one (at least) personalized bit to include in my query letter, to demonstrate the agent is the right fit for my manuscript and me.
Generally, I'm challenged by interruptions and it being summer break means schedules are different. I also am dealing with chronic pain, and today happens to be a bad pain day.
I did research a few agents this morning, but I'm still hoping to complete my post for MomsLA. (Each summer I write the "100 Days of Summer Fun," a list that includes one thing to do each day from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Monday. I've been working on it in small-ish chunks. I have about a week left to go and then it's finished for 2024!)
Hi Wendy! You have so many exciting things going on 😊 I hear you on the broken routines of summer. Something I've found very useful is to keep a weekly appointment (even just fifteen minutes) once a week at the same time. I think of this as the anchor to my creative life and I try to show up for it no matter what. That way when routine goes out the window as it always does in August or around the holidays, at the very least I have this dedicated time to touch base with my writing life. I know that if a week or two or three goes by where all my plans get blown out of the water, at least I know that appointment reminder will go off and anchor me back to my writing life. And when I'm in a good routine with writing, I use that time to set my goals for the week, to think about next steps, to assess my progress. It's also very useful to spend some time each week working to boost one's self-compassion. It doesn't just feel nice to be nice to yourself, there's so much data to show that the higher one's self-compassion, the more motivated and productive they are, the better their moods, and so on. If you'd like some suggestions of simple ways to boost your self-conpasion, let me know!
Thank you for your kindness in your reply. I love the idea about your weekly appointment. I do take time for myself and my writing, but I realize now that has been one of the problems this summer - not keeping to a specific day/time. Thank you for helping me see that. And yes, would love some suggestions regarding ways to boost self-compassion. (no rush at all.) Thank you!!
Hey Wendy! Here's a couple of super easy exercises you can do. They're simple, the trick is in consistly practicing them. 1: Talk to yourself like you were a friend. Imagine what your best friend is going through what you're going through and then answer them just as you would a friend. You will almost certainly be far more compassionate and caring than you would be with yourself (we're all guilty of this). I do this in my head when I'm having a hard time but to make it a consistent practice you can set an alarm for once a week to sit down and write a letter from yourself to your “friend” (you) supporting them. 2. Do a body scan focusing on compassion. Start at the tips of your toes and slowly mentally picture every part of your body. Observe any feelings, sensations, aches. etc. without judgement. Then speak to your body as if they are you friend, child, pet, spouse, anyone you really love. You might want to let them know you think they're doing a food job, empathize if they're going through a hard time (experiencing pain, etc.), thank them for allowing you to do the things you do (write, spend time with family, whatever you enjoy doing). It sounds kooky but there's a lot of data that shows it helps us to boost our self-compassion (and can help with chronic pain). I hope this helps, Wendy! As ever, take what works and leave the rest 😊
Thank you so much, Bron! I'm sorry for the delay in reading and responding. I appreciate you taking the time to share these suggestions with me. Your support means a lot. Thank you!
Woohoo! Stoked to be here.
1. I'm working on my second novel! My first is on submission and has been for almost four months. Ugh. That's another story.
2. The challenge I am facing is that I just decided to change my 75k word novel from first-person to third-person, after having provided my writing group a few chapters of this change and all of them enthusiastically voting for the change. I've made the switch, and now I have to clean up the rest of the novel, which is due to my agent on 8/15. My challenges are: 1) I keep thinking my novel is crap and that I'm insane to think I could get it in good enough shape in two weeks and 2) I'm not sure it's high-concept enough, so I'm rethinking everything. This has a lot to do with the aforementioned novel on submission. So I guess my challenge is just the voice in my head!
3. Today I hope to write a 300-word scene. That's it. Because -- here's a kicker! -- I have Covid. lol.
Good luck to all my fellow writers! I am here to support you! ❤️
Kolina! What a massive achievement to be working on your second novel! You definitely have your work cut out for you, changing from first to third is a LOT. You kinda fool yourself into thinking it won't be because, hey surely it's just switching out the "I" for "she" right? (Even though you know it's not quite as simple as that) and then you start and it feels so massive and has such global effects on the story. So, 1: I would defo recommend taking a bit of time to acknowledge how far you've come on your writing journey, how hard you've worked, all the ups and downs, and what a big undertaking you're currently undertaking. And then, just as you would if you were speaking to your best friend, congratulate yourself, tell yourself how proud you are of yourself, acknowledge that what you're doing is a lot and it's normal to have a lot of big emotions. And then I think it's very important to try and find a way to be in a space where you are a writer, a creative, an artist, where it's just you and this story and you're helping each other to figure out how to get to the end of it and crucially, where it's okay to make "mistakes" (what I would actually call playing, i.e., trying things out without any concern about whether they'll work or not). In essence, I think you need to find a way, when you're working on the book at least, to step back from the space where you are an author, have a platform, are considering the desires of the market, your agent, readers... There's absolutely a time and place for that part of you and they're important considerations but my sense is that allowing that part of yourself into the part that's creating can cause fear, anxiety, stress, second-guessing, and that lack of trust in yourself as an artist, in your instincts can wreak havoc when you're trying to create. How is this sounding to you? Does it resonate or does it feel a little beside the point? If it resonates and you're looking for ways to reconnect with that writer / artist space, let us know and we can provide some practical suggestions!
Gahhh, thank you so much. You're right, I do need to step away from the author space and move into a creator space. I have 2.5 days with no children next week and am hoping to be fully recovered so I can have a very productive couple days of writing.
If you have practical suggestions for reconnecting with the artist space, please do share! Thanks again!
My MIL gifted me a candle for my birthday that says “Smells like Kolina is writing a bestseller.” So I’ve been burning that. I love the idea of meditating before. Will try that tomorrow! Thank you for allllll your support 💓
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
2.5 days sans kids will be great! Some suggestions for switching into that artist space: if possible, have one space, one soundtrack (of brown moise, beta waves, etc.), one scented candle, one particular aromatherapy scent that you use ONLY when writing. Your brain will bery quickly come to associate those as signals that it's time to get into creative mode which will help you focus on wamhat you're supposed to be focusing on. Before your creative session, I highly recommend ten or so minutes of breath work or meditation. If at all possible (and this can be difficult with kids and life in general), try to do your creative work as early as possible, for example after you've packed the kids off for the day but before you've spent time in your inbox, on social, or even reading the news. The less stimuli you put in (especially stimuli that relates to the business side of writing such as your author instagram or Publishers Lunch emails), the easier it will be for you to maintain a quiet space for you and your story.
Congrats on being on sub! Remember -- you did it once, you can do it again. And feel better soon!
YES SO TRUE! Have to remind myself I went through finding an agent, and I did it!
Thanks so much. On the mend!
Being on submission for months at a time is tough. I've been there myself and remember the feeling! Love that you're keeping busy by working on the second, even though I know the self-doubt -- and your deadline -- is such a challenge. Can you get an extension from your agent? Especially since you have Covid! Agents (and editors) are very used of giving out extensions. Too used of it! lol
Ha! Yes I imagine I will be asking for an extension. Thank you for the reminder that it's not a big deal!
Today we've been talking a lot about fear. The fear that all the time, energy, effort, resources, and hope we've poured into our manuscripts and into our dreams of becoming an author will come to nothing. This is not uncommon among writers. Objectively it is a really tough industry to break into. One thing is for certain though: learning how to experience fear without letting it stop you is key. If you've experienced this, these simple tips might be a good place to start:
Reframe Fear: View fear as a sign of growth and opportunity rather than a barrier. Embrace it as a natural part of the creative process that indicates you're pushing your boundaries (something that is crucial).
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when facing fear. Acknowledge your feelings without judgment and remind yourself that it's okay to be afraid. Self-compassion can reduce the intensity of fear and make it more manageable. (There loads of well documented benefits to increased self-compassion, more on this later!)
Visualization Techniques: Regularly visualize yourself successfully navigating and overcoming fearful situations. Imagining positive outcomes can help you feel more prepared and less intimidated by your fears.
I suppose I better go too!! 😄
I'm Bronwen, I live in Toronto, I JUST finished what will hopefully be the last major revision of my WIP before querying 🤞I'm super happy about it but also STRESSED, I feel like the stakes are super high (what if things don't go the way I want them to with querying / publication / etc.). I usually do pretty well in terms of having a (hopefully realistic!) sense of self-belief but it feels low atm. Today, I'm not doing any writing as I need a break! But I am reading and thinking about my next story ☺️
querying IS high stakes -- it's like we're seeking that validation that we're good enough to do this full time!
Exactly! Which is a dangerous game 😵💫
Congrats on finishing that revision! 👏 Huge achievement!
Thank you so much, Saso 🥰🥰🥰
Enjoy the break; so important!
Thank you, Stacy! ☺️
Hi there! I’m Nicole in Boise, Idaho!
Finishing touches on my editing gig today. But then? Work to bring together the ending of my current Substack installments. There are several open threads to tie up and a converging timeline. Why did I choose such a crazy thing? I may also research for my WIP being “bootcamped” this autumn.
My brain feels so scattered right now. Focus is hard!
Just being well and getting some things completed or closer to completion. I’ve also been exposed to Covid (sorry to hear about you, Kolina!), so taking it easy.
Hi Nicole! So nice to connect with you :) Totally hear you on the scattered front, I've been there! It can feel really challenging to know what writing-related things to spend time on (for example, actually writing, but also being on social media, growing a Substack, researching agents, researching future projects, improving various craft elements). And that's before you even account for the rest of life... groceries, childcare, recovering from Covid! A lot of writers I've worked with have become frustrated because they've tried lots of different time-management tools to try and squeeze it all in and it doesn't seem to help. In my experience, what's often very helpful is figuring out what the priority is, giving more time to that, and less time to other things. But that can be a bit of a process. It can be hard to figure out what the most important thing is and then it can be really, really hard to let some thing slide a little. I'm sorry to hear you've been unwell, Covid is a lot! If you'd like some practical suggestions to help with what I was talking about above (priorities, etc.), let us know and we can share some!
Thanks for running this, Boola Bos team!
1) working on my new novel
2) procrastination and self-doubt
3) 500 more words
Hey Emily! Yay for working on your new novel! Tell me a little bit more about the procrastinating. When does it typically happen? And is this a recent thing or has it been ongoing for awhile?
Hey Bron!
1. I've paused book 2 for an R&R on book 1.
2. Digging DEEP to look at this again on a wing and a prayer!
3. I have to get this MS to the requesting agent by 8/15 and so I have to edit at least 4 scenes today!
Hi Meredith! Wow, there's a lot going on! That's really exciting about the R&R. How do you feel about the agent's notes? Do they resonate with you and feel like what the story needs? And how do you feel about your ability to implement them? Are you feeling good about it?
I said R&R to avoid extra explanation, but I should definitely explain! So I received great feedback from the 4 Rising Star judges (of the WFWA competition) — very complimentary, but they all told me to lost my first 3 pages (a 9/11 scene). That next week, I got a full request. I decided to delete the scene and make the necessary revisions (basically rewriting the first 15-20 pages) and going through the entire MS to be sure there are no holes. I’ve also noticed my writing has improved a ton since I wrote that book and am polishing a TON as I go! So now you know why I said R&R … though I didn’t mean to suggest anything special!
Wow, that's do fantastic that you got such positive feedback from the judges! And it's so helpful when everyone's feedback aligns, makes life a lot easier!! Excited for this revision. Sending you all the luck! ✨️
Congrats on the R & R, Meredith!
Thanks, Debbie!
Hi! I'm Stacy from (near) Pittsburgh.
1) 4th/5th.... 6th? revision of my manuscript, Ocracoke's Daughter
2) Right now I'm trying to bridge the gap between being a new/beginning writer to an intermediate writer. My goals are to land a freelance gig, get published in a "respected" lit mag, and get full or partial requests when I start querying again. This has been SUPER TOUGH. 0/3 in 2024. Sad face.
3) Today I am super excited/anxious to meet with my beta readers and see what they think of the ending of my novel!
Hi Stacy! So nice to connect! Congrats on the progress with Ocracoke's Daughter. You should be proud of how far you've come, it's no mean feat to get to the fourth (or fifth or sixth!) draft so well done! I admire your drive and tenacity. It can be a really tough and long road and it's hard to eke out time for all the different things one seems to need to do (not just writing but also platform-building, etc.) My only advice would be to ensure you're spending adequate time on the most important thing (usually the work itself as well of course as your own wellbeing, but this varies from person to person), and not spreading yourself too thin across too many writerly pursuits. I'm excited for you to hear what your beta readers thought!
This is so fun!
1) Brainstorming a YA dark academia and letting myself take a break from a challenging revision
2) Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
3) Continuing to brainstorm and start working through a beat sheet
Hi Katherine! The dark academia sounds so exciting! Delighted you're spending some time dreaming up a new story, it's the best. Oh that pesky imposter syndrome, it always seems to be lurking and very often comes along with perfectionism. It can definitely feel like other people are doing things so perfectly (writing amazing things, getting amazing book deals) and so they must be experts and / or be naturally gifted and / or have all the right education and experience and connections. One thing I'll remind you of (because I know you already know) is that the vast majority of people, perhaps almost everyone, has had times where they felt like they didn't know what they were doing, weren't sure if they had the talent / skill / intelligence / knowledge / time to do good work, that they were in some way a "fraud" and that soon someone was going to out them, that they were dumb, untalented, you name it... This is unfortunately very common and for sure a healthy sense of scepticism around your talent or ability can be helpful but the date show that we are living in a culture where perfectionism is on the rise and where our expectations of ourselves and of each other are increasing. It's really critical to set aside time to counteract this and a good way to do this is to regularly practice positive self-talk. If this resonates with you and you'd like some practical pointers, let us know and we can share! Also bear in mind that people who are prone to perfectionism tend to underestimate how self-critical they are which can become a bit of a vicious cycle.
Thank you!! Always up for pointers on positive self-talk! ❤️
Who doesn’t love a bit of positive self-talk, eh! Here’s a few easy things you could try. Some might resonate, some might, I think the key is to keep an open mind and really commit to giving something a fair go.
Gratitude Practice: Each day, list three things you are grateful for. Focusing on positive aspects of your life helps shift your mindset from negative to positive (there’s loads of data to support this)
Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend or loved one. Acknowledge any mistakes without harsh self-criticism and focus on learning and growth. Remember that when things don’t go as you planned, it might really suck but it’s also provides an opportunity to learn something and perhaps try a new way.
Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with positive people who uplift and support you. Their positive energy can influence your mindset and self-talk.
Visualization: Visualize your successes and positive outcomes. Picture yourself achieving your goals and enjoying the benefits of your hard work. I don’t know this works but studies show that it does!
Also, I think it’s important to just remember that 95% of people started from nowhere, sure some ppl have a leg up but most just got to where they wanted to go by learning to not let their fear stop them, and how to keep going after rejection or failure. You’ve got this :)
Yay! I’ve been loving reading everyone’s responses. Here are mine:
1. I’m working on the first revision for one of my novels because I finally picked one to commit to working on.
2. One writing challenge I’ve been having is feeling like I’m not good enough, that what I write isn’t going to be enjoyed by anyone.
3. I had hoped to work on revisions today, but had some stuff pop up. However, I still met with my writing partners and we had a blast catching up, talking industry, and what we’re reading.
Hi Miranda! Oh boy, we've all been there. Writing a book is a long process and it's natural to lurch into worrying about what readers will think, what agents will think, if there'll be a market, whether one has the chops, and on and on and on. This can be really damaging to your creativity, as a writer and artist most ppl need to feel safe, unjudged, and be able to trust their own instincts to be able to do their beat work. A really useful thing to do here is to stick to the facts. When you hear yourself wondering if you're good enough or if ppl will like what you write you are firmly in the realm of conjecture. Bring it back to the facts: what have your beta readers said, what published books (that ppl must have enjoyed as evidenced by the fact that they're published) are similar to yours. Also, please remember, tattoo it on your forehead of you must, that EVERY writer started out not writing well. The ones who you love and admire were not able to write well at all at one point. And look at them now. The only way they got to where they are now is by accepting the discomfort of feeling like they weren't good enough yet and sticking with it, working on their craft, being open to feedback, and keeping at it. You've got this, Miranda 💪
Hi, I'm Steph from Southern California!
1. I'm working on a folklore-inspired novel, short story, and monthly newsletter.
2. Currently, I'm facing the challenge of finishing the climax and resolution of my novel (second draft) and revising the beginning of my short story.
3. I hope to get some words in today right after I post this! :)
Hey Steph! So nice to connect! Your WIP sounds so great. Excited to hear you're on your second draft. The climax and resolution are two very tough parts to nail. My only advice would be to trust your gut as you write, let it flow, don't worry whether you get the climax and resolution perfect in this draft, and try to stay as open as you can to where the story wants to take you.
Thank you for your encouragement and suggestions! 😊
😊😊
Hello, hello! I'm Mirella, I'm a Seattle-based therapist and writer and aspiring author.
1. I am returning to the revision of my memoir manuscript after taking a two-month break to get a (related) clinical certification in treating survivors of narcissistic abuse. I also just started a Substack about a month ago where I write about my pursuit of publication and share what I'm learning (or what I've figured out for myself) as I go.
2. One challenge I am facing is just the sheer volume of things I have coming down the pipeline. I have to complete a re-credentialing process that I do every two years with the insurance panels that I'm on for my therapy practice, I also am getting feedback on three personal essays from the editor-in-chief of a literary magazine I really respect that I expect to receive any day now, and additionally, I'm going to be meeting with a branding strategist next week.
3. I'm coming to the end of my day as the woman who cares for my son while I work is going to be leaving momentarily, so I think for now, my biggest goal for the rest of the day is just to be present for (and with) my son, and then do some good planning for how I will use my time tomorrow.
Happy to be here.
Hi Mirella! That certainly sounds like a lot! All wonderful things though :) I find when life is very busy and, for whatever reason, it's not possible to even temporarily offload some things that the key is to actually slow down. So often ppl start putting in more hours, skipping breaks, etc. in a bid to grind through but in my experience this usually has the opposite effect. I would, wherever possible, stick firmly to your self care routines around eating, sleeping, resting, moving, and connecting. Sending you power in this busy but exciting phase!
Great Pep, Bron! My day started with 2 inches of water in the basement so my to do list went out the window, but...
1. I'm working on draft 3 of my WIP - adding emotional depth and correcting some elements of setting (note to self: next time do research before drafting.)
2. My biggest challenge is feeling like I don't need to spend 9 years on this manuscript only have it completely ignored by agents (like the last one)
3. I hope to find the excitement I feel when a revision really works and the scene becomes so emotionally important that I picture myself being interviewed about it in the future. (hey we all have vivid imaginations, right?)
Hi Debbie! Oh boy, I'm so sorry to hear about the basement... I hope it all goes smoothly with getting it dry and with the insurance. That's exciting that you're working on your third draft! Re: research, I've found you never really know what's gonna come up and it's normal when drafting to discover gaps in your knowledge about something that you'll later need to go and research. I would say when drafting just drift, wait and obey; later you can fill in the gaps :) I really hear you on point two. It's difficult not to spend time thinking about how much time, energy, resources you've put into it and not be afraid that you won't get the outcome you want (securing an agent, selling the book, etc.) The problem of course is that that can start to negatively impact your creativity, or your ability to create without fear. I think it's really important to cultivate your self-compassion, that voice in your head that speaks to you with the tenderness of a friend, who, when you make a mistake, pipes up to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, that you're only human. That part of you is the part that will help you navigate the very real considerations about the challenges of getting an agent, selling a book, without tipping over into fear or hopelessness. You can get strategic about building that self-compassion muscle, even five minutes a day can help to strengthen it. If this resonates with you, let us know and we can share some practical tips for increasing it! Another worthwhile pursuit is creating for the experience of it only. i.e., writing (or drawing or dancing or whatever) with a solemn promise to yourself that what you create will never be judged in any way or seen by anyone else. This can help you to reconnect with the pure act of creating which can sometimes be difficult to maintain when commercial considerations get mixed in.
I totally feel you on #2. I spent 3-4 years writing/revising/querying my 1st manuscript before paying for a partial developmental edit. She suggested restructuring the pacing and that scared the crap outta me so I shelved it. I'm slooooowly plugging my way back through it but I'm worried that might become a book that never sees the light of day.
I've spent another 3-4 years on manuscript #2 and the last year or so revising, getting beta feedback, etc. I definitely feel differently about this one and am doing way more in the way of learning craft so I'm still holding out hope BUT I also fear that I will still be in this same position years later. So far, not a single request from agents. Hoping to finish up yet another round of edits & start querying again in the fall. Hopefully the webinars & evaluations I've paid for are about to pay off.
I also have had some really exciting "revision ideas" from my current beta readers and totally rehearse future interviews lol. Dream big!!
Good luck to you!
This all sounds so exciting and I really admire your fantastic attitude! In my experience the best writers are usually the ones that stick with it amd learn how to continue enjoying and being excited by the process.
Hello Bron and Fellow Writers,
I'm sorry for joining late. I'm quite overwhelmed with emails lately and they just continue to pile up in my inbox. (anyone else?)
I'm currently working on a post for MomsLA.com - I am a regularly contributing writer for the site and have at least one post due each week.
I'm also querying my memoir-in-essays about life with an invisible disability. I spent some time this morning researching agents, trying to find that one (at least) personalized bit to include in my query letter, to demonstrate the agent is the right fit for my manuscript and me.
Generally, I'm challenged by interruptions and it being summer break means schedules are different. I also am dealing with chronic pain, and today happens to be a bad pain day.
I did research a few agents this morning, but I'm still hoping to complete my post for MomsLA. (Each summer I write the "100 Days of Summer Fun," a list that includes one thing to do each day from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Monday. I've been working on it in small-ish chunks. I have about a week left to go and then it's finished for 2024!)
Hi Wendy! You have so many exciting things going on 😊 I hear you on the broken routines of summer. Something I've found very useful is to keep a weekly appointment (even just fifteen minutes) once a week at the same time. I think of this as the anchor to my creative life and I try to show up for it no matter what. That way when routine goes out the window as it always does in August or around the holidays, at the very least I have this dedicated time to touch base with my writing life. I know that if a week or two or three goes by where all my plans get blown out of the water, at least I know that appointment reminder will go off and anchor me back to my writing life. And when I'm in a good routine with writing, I use that time to set my goals for the week, to think about next steps, to assess my progress. It's also very useful to spend some time each week working to boost one's self-compassion. It doesn't just feel nice to be nice to yourself, there's so much data to show that the higher one's self-compassion, the more motivated and productive they are, the better their moods, and so on. If you'd like some suggestions of simple ways to boost your self-conpasion, let me know!
Thank you for your kindness in your reply. I love the idea about your weekly appointment. I do take time for myself and my writing, but I realize now that has been one of the problems this summer - not keeping to a specific day/time. Thank you for helping me see that. And yes, would love some suggestions regarding ways to boost self-compassion. (no rush at all.) Thank you!!
Hey Wendy! Here's a couple of super easy exercises you can do. They're simple, the trick is in consistly practicing them. 1: Talk to yourself like you were a friend. Imagine what your best friend is going through what you're going through and then answer them just as you would a friend. You will almost certainly be far more compassionate and caring than you would be with yourself (we're all guilty of this). I do this in my head when I'm having a hard time but to make it a consistent practice you can set an alarm for once a week to sit down and write a letter from yourself to your “friend” (you) supporting them. 2. Do a body scan focusing on compassion. Start at the tips of your toes and slowly mentally picture every part of your body. Observe any feelings, sensations, aches. etc. without judgement. Then speak to your body as if they are you friend, child, pet, spouse, anyone you really love. You might want to let them know you think they're doing a food job, empathize if they're going through a hard time (experiencing pain, etc.), thank them for allowing you to do the things you do (write, spend time with family, whatever you enjoy doing). It sounds kooky but there's a lot of data that shows it helps us to boost our self-compassion (and can help with chronic pain). I hope this helps, Wendy! As ever, take what works and leave the rest 😊
Thank you so much, Bron! I'm sorry for the delay in reading and responding. I appreciate you taking the time to share these suggestions with me. Your support means a lot. Thank you!