Scraping the very Bottom

This blog post is not about running out of ideas as I don’t have that problem. It is also not about running out of money as I try not to talk about that.

This post is to talk about November 2018, but this isn’t about politics. I don’t talk about politics on this page.

In November 2018, I had hit rock bottom. My writing had flat-lined in terms of quality. I had no idea which mistakes I was making. I know I was making them, but I had no idea why or how to fix them.

I was also unable to write any length of work. I had seven different novels partially written, and I was unable to figure out how to fix them.

In short, I was ready to quit. I was going to give up and toss the towel.

I had written some novels, I knew I could do it again, but I was unable to figure out how to do it again.

Statistically, there is a higher chance for a novelist to quit as they are unable to finish the novel. However, I was getting into the part where I was going to quit due to the lack of progression.

For anyone reading this, who feels the same. This is not the time to throw in the towel. Think about all the time spent getting to the stage you are at. This is the time to double down and try again. It might be time to take a course or two. Or to spend money on an editor or critiquer.

This is not the time to quit. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

This journey is not something I can do alone. It takes support from many people for it to become a reality. The easiest way is to visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. They are available in all countries and for free in Kindle Unlimited. I do have a tip jar set up at Ko-Fe, where you can buy me a coffee. Or you can also visit me on Facebook. Your help and support are much appreciated.

Dealing with Failure

So my bid to lose weight has failed.

And failed hard. I’m back to 278lbs.

It’s not as bad as before at 286lbs, but it is getting there. It’s only a matter of time.

So whenever I fail at something, I do an autopsy on the situation. A court of inquiry on what happened.

Cause failure is a big part of life. We are humans, we are going to fail more times than we succeed. It’s inevitable.

So the question remains, how did I gain back over 10lbs from my low at 264lbs?

It’s simple, really. I stopped counting calories. Counting calories added time to make my food. The apps used are more suited to people who make individual meals instead of a meal for a family of four. It’s hard to keep things accurate when dishing out a bowl. I ended up guessing more times than I was correct.

After I stopped, it has become easier to eat second and fourth helpings of food. In short, I have slipped back into my old habits.

So I need a better plan than counting calories. I just don’t know what to do yet.

Any suggestions?

If you like what you are reading and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books. Or buy me a coffee. Your help and support are much appreciated.

Dealing with Bad Days

Bad Days

Everyone has bad days, weeks, or months. April is turning into a horrible month for me. My word count is meagre, I can’t seem to get to editing my Missed Drop Zone book, and there are too many distractions.

The worst part about it is the cyclical nature of the roadblocks and the fact that many of the barriers are in my own head. For example, a simple one like the fact that I have final exams going on and I have a growing need to study. This either causes a dark cloud of pure grumpiness, or it is a time suck. Either way, it makes me lose hours of the day as I put it off for my fiction.

This makes me grumpy, frustrated and all told, pissed off. I shouldn’t be; however, I am.  Once I am cranky, it is a dark cloud over my work. It amplifies any frustration that I may run into. Before when I would find something, like a plot hole, I just deal with it.

Plot holes are not a big deal. Most of the time, they can be solved with a sentence or three. Worse case, it is a new chapter. In short, not a big deal. When I am grumpy, however, it is a big deal. Finding a plot hole is a slowdown that I can’t deal with.

That makes me pissed off that I feel that way, which feeds the monster. Rinse and repeat.

How to Deal With Bad Days

This part I am struggling with. I’m not sure exactly with what to do about it.

Some people say to acknowledge that it is a bad day and to write it off. In short, go do something else and try again tomorrow. I disagree with that sentiment. If I were to do that I would have written for three out of fourteen days and have gotten nothing done.

When I had a job with an employer paying me, I had to perform every day. There wasn’t an excuse for having a bad day. Employers don’t have time for that shit. It is either buckle down and work for the eight hours or find a new job. Period.

Push Onward

For that reason, my theory is to push through it. Yes, I have bad days. Yes, they suck. Yes, it seems like I can’t do anything right and I am flailing. However, there is a time when you must work, there are no excuses. There is no fickle muse withholding favour, there is no inspiration that must be found and harnessed. There is only do or do not.

For all of those people out there that are struggling with productivity and getting things done. You are not alone, there are many of us struggling. We are at different parts of our creative journey, and my struggling may be someone else’s success.

Success is relative.

Success is what you make of it.

Success is in your head.

Set a bar, make it slightly out of reach and go for it. Then when you get it, pat yourself on the back and go higher.

When you fail, don’t lower the bar, try again. And again.

For me, that means that I have to suck it up, finish this blog post, and get to work. No more excuses, no more whining.

If you like what you see and wish to support me in my endeavours, please sign up to my newsletter, visit my Amazon Author Page and purchase one of my books, buy me a coffee, or leave me a review. Your help and support are much appreciated.