WRITING CAN BE STRESSFUL

by Judy Ann Davis

There are only two options:
Make progress or make excuses.
—Anonymous

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the projects you’ve planned for yourself?

Although I often find writing to be fun, it can also be stressful. I’ve been working diligently, trying to update the covers and formats for three novels in Ashmore Brothers series which are historical western romances, each with a mystery. I now want the three stand-alone books to be more consistent and appear like part of a collection.

The process has turned out to be more hours and days—and more intensive work—than anticipated. Covers have to be created with the help of an artist. The stories need to be lightly edited again for grammar, and then proofread with back information and links updated. Headings, margins, page numbers, and chapters, all have to be replicated in the same font and format.  Lastly, everything will need to be uploaded.

The funny thing about a labor intensive project is the yearning to step away and find some calmness and rest. But then, I sit in the sunshine and ponder about parts of the inside text that need more tweaking—and have the urge to get up and make the changes before I forget.

There’s a phrase by Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), French author of Madame Bovary: "I am irritated by my own writing. I am like a violinist whose ear is true, but whose fingers refuse to reproduce precisely the sound he hears within."

 

I’ve come to the conclusion, if a prolific writer over 160 years ago felt he was stumbling through the writing process, I have to just hang in, taking the process one step at a time.

But honestly, I feel like I’m climbing stairs instead of taking the journey on flat ground.

Have you confronted a project which seemed overwhelming? Hints and suggestions are welcome. 

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