And one more thing I’d like to mention in regards to writing that first book. Yes, it can be a horrible, nasty, mess of purple prose, but in my case, book one is the first of a five book series, so I can’t just set it aside and start something else. However, the universe brought me a fabulous developmental editor and she managed to see the story through the all of the fluff. As hard as it was to receive her edits with all the RED LINES through my beautifully written MS, I learned a lot. Her painful critique has made me a better writer and better storyteller. And fortunately, book four is almost finished, and my writing is so much better because of what I’ve learned from my editors.
My point here is not to give up on that first book if you know it has potential. When we make an announcement to the universe that we’re ready for the next step in our career, we just need to be prepared, because that opportunity may come with the next workshop we go to, or the next event we attend.

One book. Stuck on one book. Sad. Well, that was last year, I’m not stuck any longer. 😀 Self-sabotaged this whole book and have been ripping out all the stuff that was added in for gods-knows-why. The two antagonists? Merged them now there’s one. The weird bugbear that has nothing to do with the plot? Gone. The twenty + chapters of the antagonists tormenting and hurting the protagonist? Why….urrg. Newbie writer self-thought that was a good way to get people to care. No no no no. Jez.

/facepalm

The strange vines that had some vague thing to do with the freed god? Gone. Facebook, twitter, pinintrst haven’t posted anything on the last two in months. Not good I guess, but I know if I start again I’ll hop around the internet for hours land on a search and start over researching again. Another day past; another day I didn’t finish. Focus. Focus, dang it!

Another way we can sabotage ourselves is by not backing up our work! Toss files on google docks, send them to yourself on email, save on a flash drive. You never know, your computer might eat hot lighting death from a power surge that frys your surge protector, a flood might come along, someone might break in and take your pc/laptop. The motherboard could be faulty and the blue screen will welcome you some morning. O_O (I’ve personally dealt with the lighting one, and a rare faulty motherboard before. not fun.)

And the classic write it all down in notebooks. I don’t do this one as my text looks like something a first grader would be ashamed of. I need Grammarly. <3

Humm. another way we can sabotage ourselves is by not having anti-virus on our pcs/laptops. Last month I had attacks on my email account, Amazon, Microsoft, google account and more. I had to call customer support to get my amazon account back. Get an anti virus like Mccaffe so it can block incoming attacks. (about 1k attacks this month.)

Change all account passwords! don't think you're safe it will happen. I was fine for 10+ years online and then last month BOOOM. I also set up Google and Microsoft authenticator. I hate it because if my phone dies then I'm locked out of everything. But.. it can stay on for a while. At least long enough to make it too much work for those s.o.b's

I'm sure there's lots more ways we can sabotage ourselves, I can't think of any at the moment.

*Tosses a hug at Kristen* As always another great article!

*Anyone that reads this wall of text gets a cookie.

I missed you, too, Kristen 😀 Been kinda withdrawn as to social media for a few years, but I’ve lurked on your blog 😛 You seriously sent me down a rabbit hole yesterday with the personality testing. It’s so interesting and a bit creepy.

I have a job that I’ll be starting on 2 May, but I’m getting a jump on my 9th rewrite of my novel today. I’ve listened to an expert breakdown of the screenplay for GREEN BOOK. I’ve listened to some online lessons on writing from Neil Gaimon. I’ve read Robert McKee’s books DIALOG and STORY. And suddenly a few pennies have dropped and my writing has improved immeasurably.

AND … I have a typing app on my Kindle now, so I can add a few sentences or paragraphs to my story during the odd break at work. *evil grin* I’m gonna get this book finished no matter what. *slams fist on table*

Well allegedly it is the ‘author personality’ but the INFJs are awesome in other careers just like other personality types can be authors. My personality is a tie between ENFP and INFP: The Campaigner and The Mediator. Basically a crazy idealist either way. Driven by imagination and allergic to rules, structure and authority. Sooo, pretty accurate.