For The Love Of…Slogging Through by Artemis Crow

Slogging is such a great sounding word for such a physical act. Today, however, I’m talking about the mental slogging we do when the writing is difficult, when sales are scarce, when you wonder why you’re putting yourself through the effort.

I know I’m not alone when I have those times that I question why I continue to write when so few are reading the books. Word of mouth? Pffft. Sales? I need to look up the word in the dictionary to remind myself what it means. 

Maybe it’s because Mercury is in retrograde until the 22nd, but wow, have these last few weeks been a drain. On my productivity, on my enthusiasm, on my will to keep going. I’m struggling with it all as I write this. But the one question I keep asking is what will I do if I stop writing?

The first and most compelling answer is: I can’t not write. It took me years to figure out that this was my path. It took me years more to learn craft and then decide what I wanted to put out in the world.

My second answer: My series has so many more stories to tell, the world I created can’t be allowed to wither on the vine, the characters need to be seen and read.

Thus, the slogging. As difficult and seemingly impossible it seems to become a successful author, it’s the stories that motivate me to keep trying, to keep writing. Maybe my books will be nothing more than a vanity project, but they are my books. I’ve spent years worldbuilding and character creation. I will not let it all go, no matter how painful it feels now. I will put one foot in front of the other, I will write the books and release them in hopes that readers find them and love them.

This post isn’t meant as a pity party for one. It’s a frank talk about that which so many experience but are too often afraid to bring up. And creatives aren’t alone; we don’t own these feelings. There may be a lucky few who never feel weighed down, but they’re not the majority.

My point is that we all doubt. It’s what we choose to do in the face of that doubt that makes the difference. Me? I’m pulling on my big girl Wellies and slogging through the emotional muck until I come out the other side. When I slip and fall, I’ll scrape the muck off, pick up my computer, and slog through until I finish writing the next chapter, then the next, then the next.

Are you slogging through? Share your story so we can motivate each other to keep going!

May your words flow freely,

Artemis

The Zodiac Assassins series
Available on Amazon Kindle and Print, Nook and Kobo

Lyon’s Roar – https://amzn.to/2IBLeona’s Descent – https://amzn.to/2yaDfjWLibra’s Limbo – https://amzn.to/2q3VkNgLeona’s Cage – https://amzn.to/2QTbVyp

Gemini Asunder – https://amzn.to/2PyNUig