Slowing Down

A year ago at this time I was writing Fool Me Once. I had already written Amber's Muse and it had been in several slush piles, rejected, and revised by me several times. Then when my story was accepted by the wonderful Beachwalk Press, I got what I call ... the writer's rush. Write as much as you can, as fast as you can. Produce more and more stories. So in almost a years time, I have published a good deal of novellas. And I am very proud of my back list. I love each and ever story. But, I think its time to slow down. It isn't about quantity. Its about quality. It also about learning and growth. My word count is growing. Amber's Muse was just under 15,000 words. And my longest to date, Finding  is 30,000. My next goal is to make it to 45,000 and then hopefully soon hit full-length.
I have slowed down in my writing lately. One, the kids are home for the summer. And second, I just haven't felt like it. I think I did too much to soon. I was sucked into the world of publishing. I have tried different publishers, as well as taken on a proofreading job. There is so much to do in the world of publishing from PR, to editing, to proofreading, and writing. And everyone opens their arms so wide. 
I've had to take a step back and look at everything. I'm doing way to much. I'm a writer and I want to be writing. I don't want to feel like I need to have a book out every other month to be someone. I want to write that book that sales great for many months, regardless of having a new book out all the time.
So, I am slowing down. Putting the flame out on the writer's rush. And just concentrating on the story. If it wants to get out 2,000 words a day, great. But if its only 500, that is great too. In the long run, its the quality that matters. Not the length or the amount. Just a good heart felt story that a reader will enjoy.