Still working on that next book

I have been super negligent in keeping up with this site. Mostly because I have been working on my next book. Finding the time to build a website, has proven to be quite difficult. However, I have realized that I need to spend time each week writing on this site.

Entering the creative world of being an author has changed me. I view things differently now that I have the confidence to state I am an author. I listen to people’s stories in a different manner. Wondering if there’s something I can take from it and build a story around it.

I read books differently. I truly have a much deeper appreciation for every single word that an author has put on the page. Whereas before I might have skimmed through a “boring” part of the story, now I do not skip ahead at all. I know how much time and effort goes into every damn word we put down.

With that, I find myself taking more time to get through my second book. Part of it is because now I am balancing getting the first book published, trying to establish this site, become more active on social media, reading a lot more and even finding time to take online classes.

But the truth is I am also taking more time because I am enjoying the craft of writing more. The first book I wrote I just had so many ideas in my head and I had to get them out before I forgot them. I was afraid that this author idea was a passing thought in my mind. I needed to run with the little bit of confidence I had while I had it. This time around, I’m not as scared. I am enjoying developing the story more and thus, taking my time with the story.

I am about 75% done with it. I am also fully aware that it may take me another 2-3 months to finish it. I am ok with that. I write that story when I feel as if I have the time to do so. And more importantly, when the ideas come to me. The ideas for the second book have come to me more slowly than the first book. At first this was frustrating to me, but now I have realized that it’s all part of the process.

I’m curious as to what you may think about this? Do you find that some stories come to you faster than others? Do you have a hard time balancing all the different roles that you have to take as an author? How do you find the time to do it all?

Feel free to comment or send me an email to share your thoughts. Jennmctiguebooks@gmail.com.

Happy reading and happy writing!