I’m the kind of author who sets personal goals and I’ll keep crazy hours and drive myself into the ground to reach those goals. HOWEVER. Ask anyone who’s really close to me, and they’ll tell you that there’s this mysterious LULL I always experience immediately after I launch a book into the world. Here’s what I tend to do in my lull season:
- Frantically start brainstorming another book–ANY BOOK
- Market my freshly-launched book at a fearsome pace
- Start feeling depressed because I’m not moving toward a goal RIGHT THIS MINUTE
- Get on Facebook way too much, commenting in groups although no one really cares what my opinion is on things, and I probably don’t either
- Drive my husband, my crit partner Becky Doughty, my best friends, and my agent nuts as I throw new book/series ideas out there at a breakneck pace
- Drive my kids nuts as I stalk around in an inexplicably bad mood, feeling exhausted, untethered, and aimless
- FINALLY DECIDE on what I’m writing next–things return to normal as I throw myself into my next project
I’m hoping there are some other authors out there who experience this mysterious post-release angst. This time around (in a year in which I had three book releases), I had to stop and admit that I’m mentally exhausted after cranking out my last book in a couple of months, so I’m actually trying to take a little break before I plow into writing the next one.
Well, to be honest, my break lasted about one day and it consisted of playing lots of video games. 🙂
My current fave video game, Call of Duty Ghosts
I also read as much as I can in those lulls. This time, I read A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green and it’s such an amazing historical novel!
So, maybe you’re asking what IS next in my writing lineup. Currently, I’m writing book two in a three-book cozy mystery series for Kensington Books (be sure to follow my newsletter here for all the info/updates on that as I can share!). I’m also probably going to work on another cozy mystery series to follow on the heels of this one.
My fourth Tess Spencer mystery, as well as the third Hemlock Creek Suspense novel, Deadlocked, are back-burnered for this year and probably for next. And for my Viking historical lovers…I’m not working on any historicals right now, I hate to say. While God’s Daughter and Forest Child are some of my personal favorites that I’ve written, they just don’t reach as wide a readership as my contemporary mystery/suspense novels do. But the ebooks are available FREE on Kindle Unlimited now, so be sure to recommend them to any of your reader friends who use Amazon Prime!
So there’s a little peek into my author life (and my driven personality!). I’d also like to say a thanks to everyone who emails me or lets me know through reviews that they’re enjoying my books. Your enthusiasm is like a breath of fresh air as I sit and wonder if my books are reaching anyone. And here’s hoping I’ll whiz through my next author lull season!
PS-I’d love if you’d join me on March 24th at 3 pm EST, for a Facebook Live discussion on my latest mystery release, Guilt by Association. This mystery is the book club selection for March for the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group. You have to join the group here to participate–and please note, the group only allows discussions of Christian fiction. I’ll be giving away some books and goodies to those who participate, and I look forward to seeing comments from my readers and responding directly to them!
-Heather
***Authors, please comment if you’ve experienced this kind of lull season! And readers, which of my books do you enjoy most, and why?***
Great subject, Heather. This is the reason I keep a daily journal. Looking through it, there are many subjects worth writing about, being, as it is, that I’m a slice-of-life, fiction writer. But the task is how to weave a story. I’m ahead of my game at the moment, with two releases this year and another in my able agents hands. But already I have an idea on what I want to write next. I’ll be using much from my daily journal!
Journaling is something I’ve been wanting to do, but sometimes I feel all my writing/creative energy has gone out the window on my books and I just feel weary of writing more, you know? Still, you’re so right that it’s great to look back on things and find inspiration. I wish you all the best on your next project!
Hi Heather! I do feel something similar. It’s hard to describe, but maybe the word that comes closest is “untethered.” You’d think that means freedom, but it’s not quite that positive. 🙂 It is a bit angsty. Kind of like a crash after the holidays. There’s all this buildup and anticipation and work to get ready, and then it’s pretty quiet after the big hurrrah. I might blog more during that time, I definitely go on a reading binge, and I’m sure I cook more. But in the back of my mind, after I’m done working on a book, if I don’t have a contract for the next one, I feel really uneasy and spend gobs of time looking for the next bright idea.
P.S. I’m so glad you enjoyed A Refuge Assured!
YES! Like a letdown after a big event! That definitely sounds right. It’s like I SHOULD be rejoicing that this book is finished or out in the world, but I can’t for some reason. I really think I am a bear during those lulls and I should probably channel all my productive energy into housekeeping during those times! 😉 And yes, I loved your book!
Yes! This! Going through it now! Can’t wait to see what you come up with in your next series!
So glad you relate, Peter. It’s kind of hard to describe, and I was totally unaware I consistently experienced this post-release until my close friend pointed it out to me. Now I’m trying to figure out ways to deal with it! And I know your next book will be amazing, whatever you decide to work on! 😉
A Western is what I’m working on, but my heart’s not really in it. Sigh. Hoping it’ll twinge the feelings pretty soon.
I understand that so much. Sometimes I start a book I know I need to be writing and I just don’t feel it. BUT I think if you stick with it, it’ll start flowing as you see where the story’s heading. Are you a plotter or pantser? I’m a little of both, leaning more toward the pantsing.
Lost. I find myself saying I feel lost in between books. I usually do some decluttering and a lot of busy work during that lull until I feel grounded again. Happens every time.
LOST is a very apt word for that feeling! I think I’ve used it myself! BTW–I’m giving away a softcover copy of The Secret Life of Book Club during that FB Live session in the Avid Readers’ group! 😉 I love that book and I’m always recommending it!
Hi, Heather! I love every one of your books—characters, settings, and plots. My favorite are your Viking books; they’re just astounding in research and character depth. I just can’t say enough glowing things about them!
Thank you, Pam! I am so glad you found my books! You are a blessing to me.
Guuuuurrrlllll…..
I love, love, LOVE this about you. It speaks to my own chaotic soul on so many levels. ❤️
I raise my Cuppa Joe to you, from crazy creative to another.
Becky
Now we just need to coordinate a visit so we can drink our coffee in unison and write brilliant things!!! 🙂
Haha, I enjoyed this post!
And am looking forward to your next releases, whatever they may be, and whenever they may come. Totally understand taking a slow-approach (that is my writing life XP).
And I also understand not currently writing any historicals at the moment. 🙂 All stories come when they’re meant to come.
As for my favourite book of yours…that’s a really hard question, Mrs.Gilbert!! It’d have to be a tie between “God’s Daughter” and “Forest Child”…can’t pick just one. ^.^
Thank you so much, Raechel!
While I’m not a published author (yet), I experience these lulls in between editing stints. There are times where I blaze through editing and revising, and there are times where I just stop and try to figure out what the world I am doing. 🙂 In those moments where I’m figuring out what I’m doing, I try to read books from my gigantic TBR pile and do a lot of free writing. It does help get me from Point A to Point B.