I’ve been doing a lot of career thinking lately since I’m attempting to branch off into other genres beyond romance. It’s had me take a closer look at the authors around me. Well, actually, I’ve been looking at their careers. Probably not in the way that you’re thinking. I’m not comparing myself to the authors around me (ie who has the better career, etc.). I’ve been looking at their productivity. And what I discovered is rather upsetting. I realized I have not been working hard enough. My productivity is lacking.
I know how this started. When I first began writing for Ellora’s Cave I made the mistake of trying to write several books back to back. At first, I succeeded. But it didn’t take long until I hit a wall. A very tall, very thick, unforgiving wall. 
I ended up giving myself writer’s block for over six months because I was so burned out. I promised myself that if I ever got through it that I’d NEVER do that again. The problem with making yourself a promise like that is you have to be specific. I wasn’t. I ended up swinging toward the other end of the pendulum and I’ve never quite gone back toward the middle. Because of this gun-shy reaction my productivity has dropped–a LOT. I still make deadlines and manage to get in partials, but I’m not working near to the level I could be comfortably working. See I’m not talking about going back to a crazy land schedule. I’m just talking about getting to the point where I’m writing a couple single titles and a few novellas a year or three Blazes/Nocturnes and a novella a year, etc. Given the word counts that’s actually quite realistic.
So why haven’t I done it? Because I’m lazy I’ve gotten out of the habit. Yep, it boils down to habit. So now I have to begin the slow process of building the habit up again until it becomes second nature. Have you let any good ‘habits’ slip lately?
I’m right there with you! I wrote so much, so fast, in such a short amount of time that I ran face first into that same wall. Now, getting back into the habit of writing is very hard. The other habit I let slip is working out. and getting back into it is just as hard. LOL
by Sasha July 15th, 2009 at 1:59 pmSasha, Working out is about the only thing I have kept up. For the first time in my life I’m doing it regularly. I don’t enjoy it, but I still do it four to five days a week. (I’m trying to work up to exercising six days a week.)
As for the writing, I begin with five hundred words a day and work my way up from there. I like to keep it low so that it’s easily achievable.
by Jordan Summers July 15th, 2009 at 2:27 pmI am a newbie at this, but trusting your instincts about what is too much or too little may keep you writing a lot longer. Your daily routine now seems pretty reasonable, especially if working on projects you enjoy. Although many would deny it, I’d wager every major author goes through spurts of creativity. Except for the ones with ghosts churning out their prose.
by BernardL July 15th, 2009 at 4:13 pmBernard, Oh it will keep you writing longer there’s no doubt. The trouble is when you first start out in this business you don’t really ‘know’ where those boundaries are. My instinct and brain screamed that I needed to write as much as I could as fast as I could in order to get ahead.
It obviously didn’t work out the way I’d hoped.
And yes, creativity does come in spurts, but if you want to make a ‘living’ at this job, then you have to ignore those spurts and get into the habit of writing instead.
by Jordan Summers July 15th, 2009 at 4:19 pmTime Management
Ever since becoming a SAHM it’s gone out the window. If I want to get serious about any of my “hobbies” I need work managing my time into a habit.
by Sherri July 15th, 2009 at 4:46 pmSherri, I know time management is funny, even when you don’t have a little one running around. *g*
by Jordan Summers July 15th, 2009 at 5:03 pmIt really does come down to habit. And I think you not only have to find your own sustainable writing level, you also have to adapt as it changes. Some years take more out of us. Some books take more out of us. But daily habits in both writing and refilling the well make it easier to keep it in balance. Says the person who has paid for being better at the writing part than the refilling part.
by Charli July 15th, 2009 at 9:57 pmI agree, Charli. It’s definitely not a one-size fits all. Yeah, I think the refilling part is extremely difficult. Everyone has to find their own well.
by Jordan Summers July 15th, 2009 at 10:22 pm