Tag: self publishing a book

How to Battle Writers Block

Tips to Counter Writer's Block

We have all been there. In that period when it seems words and phrases you want to write, just do not come to you, no matter how hard you try. You know what you want to say but, you just do not know how to say it. This frustrating, anxiety-causing phenomenon is called writer’s block. And it is not uncommon.

When writing books, we are often pushed to produce pages of the written word on demand. You have to finish the book, your publishing house says. ‘We need that chapter by Friday’ rings in your ears, causing you stress and panic. Other times, it may not be the pressure that is causing your mind to blank on you but just the lack of creativity and motivation to write.

Let us look at what are some of the common causes of writer’s block and how you can overcome it:

Why does Writers Block Happen?

The American Psychological Association (APA) does not think the term, writer’s block exists. They term the issue as more of a time and discipline problem. Psychologist Steven Pritzker told the APA that it’s “An artificial construct that justifies a discipline problem.”

Whatever it is, it does happen and below are some of the reasons why:

Lack of Creativity

Sometimes it might just be your lack of creativity even though you are motivated to write. Your motivation might come from your book publisher breathing down your neck or your own will to finish your book. But you just can’t create words that don’t appeal to you, no matter how much pressure you are under.

Lack of Motivation

You lack the willpower to sit down and write a page. Even a single page seems too much for you, and you are not motivated to do it. In these cases, it may simply be burnout, and you need to take time to recharge your brain and mind. Other times you may need a push from an external party to make you finish your book.

Self-Doubt

Writers sometimes feel they may not be good enough. Who will want to read this, echoes in your ears from time to time? Imposter Syndrome is a very real thing, and something that does not just affect people who are writing books, but other professionals as well.

Unclear About Plot

As a writer, you may be on your way to writing your book and, all of a sudden decide that the plot progression is not what you expected. You may decide to change the ending, but you are not sure of what it should be. This is something that is not uncommon and a reason why many writers have alternate endings to books that they never share.

Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

Now that we know what causes it let’s look at what we can do to work through it. These strategies may work at different times and can be used together or separately. At the end of the day, your goal should be to get back on track.

  • If you feel that you are lacking creativity or motivation when writing books, why not change your surroundings? Sometimes sitting at the same desk, starting at the same window, just does not do it for you day in and day out. Why not get out of the office or home and go to a coffee shop or even a park? The change in scenery can sometimes make all the difference.
  • Try working for solid periods. This is something that has gained popularity and is referred to as the Pomodoro Technique. You can sit for 25 minutes with no interruption at all. This means turning your phone off and all messaging apps on your computer. After 25 minutes, get up and take a break.
  • Scheduling time to write is a great way to meet deadlines and something that bestseller authors use all the time. Put it on your calendar and stick to it.
  • Reading before you write is a great way to inspire creativity and motivation. Even if you read a chapter or your favourite poem before you write, it keeps you on the path of writing well.

Tested Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

Knowing what causes writer’s block and how to overcome it is a great way to start to be more productive. These tips will put you on the right track. And, as mentioned, if you believe that it doesn’t exist then half of your problem is already solved!

Here is to productivity and happy writing!

Connect with Austin Macauley Publishers for more such blogs and submit your manuscript if you are looking for publishing your work. You can also make a quick and easy submission through the online submission form. You can stay updated with our new releases and activities by joining our family of authors and readers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Creative Ways to Celebrate Publishing Your First Book

Publishing Your First Book

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve invested your time, effort, and all the hard work. You’ve written, revised, proofread, edited, and formatted your novel. Now it’s out there for the world to see.

A popular way for authors to celebrate their books is to host an event. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lavish one or if you’re doing it on a budget; a celebration is a must! There are a variety of ways to commemorate this moment. You may treat yourself to a holiday or get some nice jewelry to reward your hard work and efforts. So let’s dive into how you should go about cherishing your first novel being published!

Acknowledge Every Milestone; Regardless It’s a Big or Small One

If you’re an author, you are aware that there are days when the creative juices flow like high waves and fill the pages, and you can accomplish and achieve many things. But, there are times when writing a sentence can be exhausting and tedious. You could be staring at that same page for several hours. However, each day plays a significant role and is a stepping stone towards your goal!

Similar to other occasions, it’s equally important to celebrate this day in one way or another. You must celebrate all the milestones associated with the launch of your book. For instance, your first sale or earning your first $100.

Throw a Book Release Party

Before planning your party, consider if you actually need to host a party. When you’re a first-time author with limited resources or prefer something else to cherish these moments, that’s perfectly fine and is your choice.

You can also celebrate by taking a copy of your book on a trip and record the journey of your novel’s “vacation” by posting it on social media. You could take out to dinner with the people who contributed to the book or aided you during the writing and publication process.

If you’re a first-time writer and the book is close to your heart, you must seriously consider throwing a launch party. There’s only one debut novel. It’s an enormous accomplishment, and you shouldn’t downplay its significance. If you’ve managed to publish a book that has been close to your heart, then take pride in the accomplishment.

Some Other Creative Ways To Celebrate Your Book Launch

There are numerous ways to show appreciation for all your hard work that is paying off. The kind of book you’ve written reflects how you decide to honor your own characteristics.

Here are some suggestions for ways to commemorate this significant event in your own life:

A celebratory dance is a big YES!

Get together with family and friends.

Treat yourself because you deserve every bit of it! Get a luxury item like a piece of clothing or watch, or even upgrade your writing gear.

Print a few pages or images of the book’s cover for souvenirs.

Plan Your Next Steps

Publishing your book is just the first step to creating a successful career as a professional writer. If you’re committed to making a career in writing books, just being published isn’t enough.

You now have a new task to finish, including marketing and promoting your novel. Now you must work towards becoming well-known and recognized in your field.

You may have believed that creating a story by working non-stop was challenging, and you’re done with the hard part; however, marketing books require an entirely different set of skills.

Book launch parties are an excellent way to market your book. The more enthusiastic you feel about your novel, the happier people will be, so let your excitement shine through. Invite your family, friends, fans, and people who helped you write your book. Tell them how much you appreciate their support, and they’ll be more likely to endorse your book. Word of mouth can be the most effective method to market any service or product, particularly books. Also, take plenty of pictures. You can pick photos from your book’s release, post them all in one go, and reuse them in your marketing campaigns.

We hope that you enjoyed reading about our suggested tips and that they will be helpful to you. We wish you a successful writing career. Be a part of Austin Macauley by sharing your manuscripts here for review. You can also submit online by filling out this Online Submission Form.

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