I’ve been writing on and off for 13 years, since I was 10. I’ve always read and written fantasy. I always thought I would finish and publish this epic supernatural story. After a lot of struggling on and off attempts these last few years suddenly, for the first time ever I’m writing contemporary romance. And it’s kind of working for me?
I just, I’ve always had this idea of the kind of author I wanted to be and the way I write. I’m a planner. I have these super detailed fantasy worlds that I’ve been building in my head for years. Then one day, I just sat down and started this awful, cringe, unplanned normie romance and I’m finally getting words down. It’s not…easy but it’s not hard like it has been. I just don’t fully know how to feel about this? Like this isn’t what I planned to be doing. I’m not fully sure this is the genre I every really wanted to be writing. But its what I’m okay at?
Then, with the new way of writing, I’m reaching new versions of old problems. There is an insane amount of time I’m sitting there telling myself ‘I really need to just trust the process’. The this doesn’t have to be a certain way because I can just bang it out and then go back and plan and rewrite and edit the crap out of it to make it readable? Which optimistically feels more achievable then when I’m sitting struggling to get it right to plan the first time.
So, I’m attempting to make accountability goals for myself to try to just worry about getting words onto the doc before I lose steam. Which normally is what kills things. The plan is 20k words on the doc in 4 weeks and then a reward. Who knows if it’s possible. But, just under 5k this week while working a bunch of overtime and being very busy at work. So maybe?
Have any of you experienced anything like this though? Any tips?
The only advice I have at this point would be to just go with the flow and have fun. I assume you’re writing as a fun hobby, so you just need to allow yourself to have fun. It took me a long time to figure out, too, and I blame this “side hustle” productivity culture we’ve got going on.
I used to feel so guilty when I didn’t write in every spare second I had, because it’s the one thing that makes me “soecial”, but…writing is my hobby. I can pick it up and drop it off whenever I want, no one’s taking it away. Not to mention…writing is also work for my brain, so of course I get tired and won’t always have the juice to crank out the words.
We can, and should, do things just for fun. Sing badly. Paint ugly pictures. Write bad books. Why do you feel like you need a reward for writing? Isn’t writing already a reward for doing your chores or your studies?
You can, of course, aim to pursue writing as a career, but you don’t have to. And I feel like if you let go of that pressure of having to write, or having to write certain things, you’ll be able to write more easily, and through that practice, you’ll just get better. Then, once you’re good and ready, the fantasy story will come to you
Maybe that’s the reason why it’s coming easier: it’s not your genre and you’re not taking it too seriously, so the words are flowing more…? While your epic works are more important to you so you overthink them, even pressure yourself to write them absolutely perfectly. With the romance the pressure is off, so it’s coming easier. ¯\_(ﭢ)_/¯
If it was me I’d say follow it through and see where it leads you! Every bit of writing we do is great practice, regardless of whether we publish or not. And if you ever do decide to publish it, you can use a pen name for your romance novels. If you become successful, romance can bring in a lot of money, and you can use that moolah to finance your fantasy and supernatural books. (*＾-‘) 乃
