Authors have all sorts of administrative tasks, from answering emails, to fielding workshop requests, to creating book ads, to keeping up with social media and writing blogs. These behind-the-scenes duties can keep us busy from morning to night.
When I’m in a creative phase, the writing comes first. But right now, I am taking a moratorium from writing to get these other jobs done. Yesterday, I spent the morning updating all the buy links on my website. This was necessary since I’ve added my full-length Bad Hair Day mysteries to Ingram. Readers should be able to order the entire set in print at their local indie bookstore. The paperback editions are also available at Barnes and Noble, but they have to be ordered online because they’re coming from another distributor.
Meanwhile, I finished the final proofing for my first futuristic romance trilogy that required substantial editing. I’d written these traditionally published books years ago and needed to bring them up to my current standards. These will need new covers and reformatting. Hiring a cover designer is next on my agenda. If I have to help search for images, that could take hours. At least I already have a concept in mind for each series. I’ve also asked ACX for my audiobooks to go non-exclusive so I can put them “wide” in terms of distribution. Once I get the rights cleared, I’ll kick this project into gear.
Price promotions and box sets are on the horizon also, but these will involve a learning curve. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while but had to get all my books uploaded first.
A Writer's Job is Never Done #amwriting #writingcommunity Click To TweetAs you can see, these are full-time tasks. Once they are completed, I can move on to new works. Or maybe by then, this virus will be gone and I’ll want to enjoy life and being a grandma. Who knows? At the moment, we have to take things day-by-day.
Thankfully, as a writer, this doesn’t mean much in the way of adjustment. Our normal routine is to stay home in front of the computer. Since we are in forced isolation, we can get even more done if we focus on our work and not the daily news. So batten down your hatches. Make a list of all these nagging tasks you’ve been meaning to do as a writer. And get to work! Use this time to your advantage. What will be the first item on your list?
4 thoughts on “A Writer’s Job is Never Done”
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It’s so true that a writer’s work is never done. Work keeps our minds in good condition.
Yes, although it isn’t good for my fingers. I get tendinitis from constant work, especially now that we can’t go anywhere for a break.
I feel the same way you do … I’m used to working at home and, in a sense, I’m in better shape than many of my friends who are used to going to work outside the house or to running errands, etc. whatever and whenever they please. It’s kind of hard to explain that to non-writers so it’s nice to see you articulate what I bet so many of us are experiencing. On the other hand, there’s all that guilt when you can’t focus and get work done!
Yes, the guilt is definitely there. So is the fear in planning future events that the virus will get me. But we have to work beyond these anxieties. Writing tasks keep me focused and away from the news, which is better for one’s mental health.