The Big "WB"
I recently bragged that I never really have a problem with Writer’s Block. Uh huh. Well, guess what. I can’t think of anything to write about for a blog. I started a new book, and I’m stumped. Ack! I’ve been infected with the Big WB. I hope this isn’t an indication of what 2012 is going to be like.
So I decided the best thing to do would be to sit down and think about writing. Like, why did I start writing in the first place? Where did I think I was going with it? I’m an avid reader and I love to tell stories. So why not put my tales to good use and write a book to entertain others? It sounds simple enough. It isn’t. And yet, I’ve had a lot of fun writing novels. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had working, and for those scoffers out there, it is work. It isn’t a mere hobby. Yes, this is something many of us run into at first. People ask how your little hobby is coming along.
I’d written a couple of really dopey books (that were never published), and after my husband and I married, he encouraged me to keep going. He didn’t think they were that bad. That’s all I needed – a little encouragement and I was off and running. I’m easy, and I can’t help it.
I self-published my first two books. I don’t often talk about the first one, but the second wasn’t half bad. I reread it recently and surprised myself. It’s called Secrets of Holt House and it isn’t part of a series.
At that time being self-published was the kiss of death, but that seems to be changing now, thankfully. Anyway, I submitted to a few traditional publishers and met with disappointment. Not one to keep beating my head against the wall, I tried submitting a book to Wings ePress, an epublisher who was recommended by a friend. To my delight and bewilderment, they liked the book (A Well-Kept Family Secret) and offered me a contract.
I might not be the brightest bulb in the lamp, but I knew one thing. I knew I had to keep writing while I tried to find a home for that book. So while I waited I worked on Bubba’s Ghost. By the time I got together with Wings, I had the second book ready. Woohoo! I waited a few months and submitted the second book to Wings. Again, to my delight and surprise, they liked it, too. You couldn’t keep me away from the computer after that. I was a writing fool, and having a blast. Do people still say “blast”? I have no idea, nor do I care. I had a blast.
I started a second series and Oak Tree Press offered me a contract for Bogey Nights. It took a couple of days for my feet to touch the ground again. Maybe I’ll never get used to my writing being accepted, and maybe that’s a good thing. It keeps me humble. And Oak Tree Press is releasing Bogey’s Ace in the Hole, the second in the new series, in February.
Well, I could continue and name every book, but that’s not what this is about. It’s about being stumped. It’s about bragging and finding I should have kept my trap shut. I thought maybe blogging about writer’s block might help. Sometimes writing can be very therapeutic.
Between marketing and promoting, building book trailers (I now have two), appearances, family, housecleaning, and everything else involved in living a life, maybe I need a vacation. Oh! I just took one after finishing the last book. Okay, so I stayed at home and continued to work on marketing and promotion, but…
Wait! Hold the boat, I think I’m having a thought. I’m both delighted and surprised again. Gotta go.
Until next time, take a few minutes and smell those ol’ roses. Sometimes a few quiet moments will stimulate ideas.
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Categories: Story Beginnings, Mysteries, Story Ideas, Books, Authors, Fun, Book Marketing and Promotion, Humor, Family, Fiction Writers, Marja McGraw
Tags: Marja McGraw Blog Fiction Writers Books Mystery Blog Mystery writer Humor Humorous Mystery Writing Mysteries Sandi Webster Cozy Mysteries Family New books ebooks Marja's Mystery Blog writing Inspiration Oak Tree Press Work in Progress Personal Mysteries Writer's Block
Hi Marja,
Glad to see you overcame the WB. I don’t know about the rest of the world, but I still say blast. Your husband sounds like a gem. Glad you found him, and glad his encouragement kept you writing. I’m busy writing the sequel to “Blinded by the Sight,” while participating in JANO 2012. Happy New Year and keep up the good work!
Sharon (S.L.) Smith
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Thanks for stopping in, Sharon. I can't wait to read the sequel, so I'm glad you haven't seen the Big WB heading your way. I'm hoping for great things for all of us in the new year.
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Write your way out it, this made me laugh, bonne chance.
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Claire, if I made you laugh, then hopefully the Big WB really is gone. Thanks so much for stopping in.
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Marja,
I love your posts because, in each one, I get to know a little bit more about you. What I've learned so far is that you're an honest, kind, hard working, sincere writer and person.
When I get "stuck" in my writing or, actually, in anything, I walk away for a little while. I don't quit; I give myself a "time out" and go do something completely different. My intention is to distract myself and it usually works!
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Thank you soooo much for your kind comments, Patricia! I try. Usually I just type anything and it motivates me to keep going. I can always go back and rewrite. But this time my mind was a total blank. I think I've worked through it though. Thankfully.
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I'm glad you got over the dreaded Writer's Block, Marja, because I look forward to reading your novels.
I should receive my copy of "Old Murders Never Die" any day now. Can't wait!
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Thank you, Patricia! Old Murders Never Die is my own personal favorite of all the books. I hope you enjoy it.
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This blog made me laugh also. A few years ago I bragged that I never had WB--well, I'm eating crow now. For the past few months, I couldn't do any real writing--maybe editing here and there on old manuscripts.
Can't wait to read Bogey's Ace in the Hole.
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Thank you, Tricia! I'll tell a bit more about Bogey's Ace in the Hole before it's released. In the meantime, think Snoop Sisters, only they're called the Church Ladies. Only the Church Ladies can strike terror in the heart of the Bogey Man and his wife, Pamela. Too bad we can't take vitamin C or something to get rid of the dreaded WB.
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Bogey’s Ace in the Hole is being awaited with tapping nails. WB seems to have been a momentary lapse. Look forward to hearing about your latest inspiration. Happy New Year!
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Jake, You're a peach. I love it when you stop in. Your enthusiasm makes my day. Happy New Year to you, too.
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Glad you got rid of that WB! I don't normally have them either -- oops, I'm I bragging now?
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Uh oh, Ivana. Learn from my lesson. But, shoot, it's fun to brag sometimes. Thank you for stopping in.
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It is amazing how WB affects us all from time to time. I had a few moments today and thought, "I'll knock out a few reviews," only to have my mind clam up and stop. Words wouldn't flow. That is my cue to put the pen down.
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Thanks for stopping in. I think I've been doing so many things other than writing, that I'm almost out of the habit. Time to pick up the pen again before I lose my edge, if I ever had one.
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I think once you get busy working on promotion, book trailers, etc., it's only a matter of time before WB dissolves. You had the right idea. Write about it--and wait. Dorothy
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