Writing challenges are a fun, albeit crazy way to jump start writing your romance. If you’ve been participating in Preptober, you have set goals, created space and time to write, pre-plotted elements of your story, and are ready to get started writing on November 1st.

Here are tips on how to prepare your life for a successful Writevember in November.

Preparing to Write

It doesn’t matter if you know what to write if you don’t have the space or time to get it done. To succeed at Writevember, you need to:

1) Make time to write.

At Writevember, you can set your word-count goal. A NaNoWriMo pace is 1,667 words a day, which can be done in an hour or so if you know what to write when you sit at your desk. Here are daily word-count goals for other book lengths:

• 20,000 – 667 words a day, 30 days
• 30,000 – 1,000 words a day, 30 days
• 40,000 – 1,334 words a day, 30 days
• 50,000 – 1,667 words a day 30 days
• 60,000  – 2,000 words a day, 30 days
• 70,000  – 2,334 words a day, 30 days
• 80,000 – 2,667 words a day, 30 days

Where can you find an hour or an hour and a half to write? Early in the morning? During lunch? Late at night? Whatever time you come up with, put it in your schedule.

2) Make space to write.

Have a designated area, preferably set up for writing and away from distractions, where you can write. Not only should it have your computer or writing materials, but also anything else you need, such as notepads, notes, phrasing books, research, inspiring quotes, etc.

3) Let your friends and family know your goal of writing a novel.

Enlist their support in your endeavor! The checklist below has an infographic from NaNoWriMo on “Caring For Your NaNoWriMo Writer.” Share it with your family and friends so they can help you achieve your goal.

4) Divvy up chores and other to-dos in your family for the month of November.

Just for one month, your family can help you with your chores. If you normally do the dishes or laundry or mow the lawn, pay the bills or take out the trash, ask members of your family take care of it in November. This is a good month to find someone else to host Thanksgiving if that’s normally your job as well.

5) Extend deadlines if possible.

If you have work, school, or other projects due in November, see if you can extend their due dates.

6) Anticipate distractions and nip them in the bud.

Distractions can be a huge problem in Writevember. Make of list of possible things that could stop you from writing and make a plan to avoid them or respond to them in a way that doesn’t keep you from writing. That could mean turning off your phone and notifications while writing. Or maybe asking your partner or a neighbor to watch the kids while you’re writing.

7) Knowing that Thanksgiving is coming, plan to write ahead a little before the holiday.

If you’ve set your daily word-count goals over 30 days, one of those days includes  Thanksgiving. Do you plan to write on Thanksgiving? If not you’ll need to find a way to make up the words.If you’re traveling, make a plan for writing while away.

One year, I hand wrote my story while at my mom’s house for Thanksgiving. It was the first year I won NaNoWriMo. That year I had to retype everything, but now with AI, you can scan your handwritten page using your phone and Google Drive. Then on your computer, find the PDF in Google Drive, and open with Google Docs. The handwriting will be transcribed into type. The font will be wonky, but Select-All and change the font and then edit.

If you’d like to take weekends off, here are word count goals based on 22 days (8 days off for weekends or holidays)

• 20,000 – 909 words a day, 22 days
• 30,000 – 1,364 words a day, 22 days
• 40,000 – 1,818 words a day, 22 days
• 50,000 – 2,273 words a day, 22 days
• 60,000 – 2,727 words a day, 22 days
• 70,000 – 3,181 words a day, 22 days
• 80,000 – 3,636 words a day, 22 days

8) Plan meals ahead of time.

If possible, assign cooking to someone else in the family. But if that’s not possible, use your Crockpot or Instapot to make cooking less time-consuming.

FREE Writevember Prep Checklist

Surviving Writevember in November

You’ve prepared your novel and your life to write in November. Now you need to get it done. Here’s how:

Get Ready, Get Set…

If you’ve done the above checklist and prepped your novel idea, then you should be ready.

The secret to making Writevember easier (besides the checklist above) is knowing what you’re going to write when you sit down at your computer. The more you plot, the easier and faster you can write. It is excruciatingly hard to sit in your chair to type if you’re drawing a blank about what to write.

Below are Day Before Writing To-Dos. You should do these tasks on October 31 and every day, after you’ve finished writing, so that you’re prepared to write the next day. Each day, you should be able to sit down, review your notes and the write 1,667 word without stopping.

Note to pantsters: You need to do this too if you want to avoid wasting time staring at the screen wondering what to write.

Day Before Writing To-Dos

1) Review your plot notes for the chapter or scene you plan to write tomorrow. Make sure you have enough to write to meet your 1,667 word goal. For day one, that means reviewing your opening unless you plan to write out of order.

2) Make any additional notes that come to you, such as dialogue or new ideas. Often when you’re writing, new ideas come to you. If those ideas are about tomorrow’s writing (or any future writing), jot them down in your document, comments, plot outline, or wherever you can see it when it’s time to write tomorrow.

3) Check that any research needed to write the next scene is done, and the data is in your notes or otherwise easily accessible. Try not to waste your time researching while writing. Anything you need to know to write, have the information with your notes or plot prior to writing.

Writing Day

If you’ve prepped your writing yesterday, then all you need to do is:

1) Go to your writing space at your designated writing time. Be sure to let your family and friends know that this is a “Do Not Disturb” time.

2) Turn off your phone and computer notifications. Keep your browser closed or better yet, turn off the Internet on your computer. Remember to let your family know you’re writing and can’t be interrupted. My rule was don’t interrupt me unless there’s blood or fire.

3) Review the chapter/scene notes from yesterday, including any research data you need to include.

4) Read the last chapter/scene from yesterday if you need help getting back into your story.

5) Write! If you fall short of your word-count goal, don’t freak out. You can make it up another day.

6) Do Day Before Writing To Dos. Don’t end your writing session until you’ve planned for tomorrow’s writing.

To your writing and life schedule easier during November, download the free daily planner sheet that includes Today’s Writing, Today’s Word Count, Total Word Count, and Tomorrow’s Writing. The left side of the page you can use for whatever else you need to plan for the day.

FREE DOWNLOADS

If you sat across from a literary agent or publisher, could you tell them about your book in a concise, captivating way in only 5 minutes? Wowing an agent with your book concept in only 5-10 minutes can be nerve-racking, which is why having a prepared pitch can be helpful.

What is a pitch?

A pitch is a concise and captivating summary of your book delivered in a few minutes. The pitch typically includes key elements of your book, such as the genre protagonist, central conflict, stakes, genre, and a hook that grabs the listener’s attention.

The goal of the pitch is to create interest and curiosity in your book to entice the agent to want to learn more and potentially explore further opportunities for representation.

Why should you have a prepared pitch?

The obvious reason to have a prepared pitch is to use it at a pitch session offered by many writer conferences. Especially if you’re prone to nervousness, having a crafted and well-practiced pitch can make the session go smoothly.

But other places you can use your pitch are at networking events with people in the publishing industry and at book events talking to readers.

Elements of Your Pitch

A pitch is different from a blurb or synopsis, although similar to those, you have to whittle your book’s entire story down to a few lines. You have very little time (30 to 50 words or 30-60 seconds) to deliver all the elements to intrigue an agent, so you need to make each word count and only deliver the most important elements of your book. Think short and snappy.

Note, you usually have several minutes to pitch an agent, but you have a moment to hook them, and you need time for the agent to ask questions.

Here are the elements of a good pitch.

Hook: Capture attention with a captivating hook. It could be an intriguing twist, a shocking revelation, a unique concept, or a tantalizing mystery that sets your story apart.

Protagonist: Introduce the main character or characters of your story including their goal.

Setting: Where and when does your story occur?

Central Conflict: What is the core conflict or challenge that the protagonist faces?

Stakes: What’s at stake if the protagonist fails or succeeds?

Genre and Word Count: State the genre and subgenre, and word count.

Crafting Your Pitch

Take the elements above and put together a 30-to-50-word, or a 30-60 second to a minute elevator pitch.

To create your pitch, you have a few structure options:

1. Answer who, what, when, where, when, why, and how?
2. Use your premise: character>goal>conflict.
3. Use inciting event: character>action>stakes.

For example, here are pitches for Pride and Prejudice

• Who? Elizabeth Bennet, a spirited and outgoing woman
• What? Overcomes preconceptions and judgements
• Where? English countryside
• When? Regency period
• Why? Social norms dictate she is of marriage age, and without marriage, her family is at risk of losing their home, as women can’t inherit.
• How? Through her interactions with the proud Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent and spirited young woman from Regency era England, crosses paths with the proud Mr. Darcy in a dance of wit, attraction, and misunderstandings. (27 words)

Or using the premise

Elizabeth Bennett, an intelligent and spirited young woman from Regency era England, navigates the societal expectations of her time when she crosses paths with the enigmatic and proud Mr. Darcy in a dance of wit, attraction, and misunderstandings. (38 words)

Or Inciting Event, character, action, stakes (catastrophe)

When two eligible bachelors come to Elizabeth Bennet’s small regency era English village, she must overcome her prejudice against the proud Mr. Darcy to secure happiness for herself and security for her family. (33 words)

You also need to include genre/subgenre and word count. You can put it up front or the end, but many agents prefer up front.

Pride and Prejudice is a 122,000-word historical regency-era romance in which Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent and spirited young woman from England, crosses paths with the proud Mr. Darcy in a dance of wit, attraction, and misunderstandings. (36 words)

Or

Elizabeth Bennett, an intelligent and spirited young woman from regency era England, navigates the societal expectations of her time when she crosses paths with the enigmatic and proud Mr. Darcy in a dance of wit, attraction, and misunderstandings, in Pride and Prejudice, a 122,000 word historical romance novel. (47 words)

Tips for Your Pitch

Remember, your goal is to have an agent or publisher perk up and take an interest in your work. This pitch shouldn’t simply be a summary. Like a blurb, it should create interest and curiosity. Here’s a few tips on how to do that.

• Capture the mood and style of your book in your pitch. If your book is light or humorous, your pitch should be too. If it’s serious or dark, your pitch should match that.
• Practice your pitch until you have memorized it. This way, you won’t stumble or get events out of order.
• Be enthusiastic about the work, but don’t expect emotional appeals to sway an agent. Agents appreciate that you love your work, but they won’t use your enthusiasm of it as part of their consideration.
• At a pitch event, if you’re practicing, let the agent know. That way, they know to give you feedback on the pitch instead of requesting or rejecting the book.
• Avoid rambling, vague descriptions, and excessive jargon. Keep it focused and clear.
• Create a “one-sheet” that includes a summary of the book, genre, word count, author bio, and contact information. Some agents will accept this along with your pitch. I always looked at them, but never took them (I have too much paper to handle already).

Giving Your Pitch

It can be scary to pitch your book, especially putting yourself out there for possible rejection. Most agents I’ve met are aware of this and will be gentle. Some will give feedback. With that said, here are tips for giving your pitch to help it go smoothly.

1. 1. Research the agent(s): Pitch the ones that represent the type of book you write
   2. Tailor your pitch to the agent: Customize your pitch to align with what the agent is interested in. Mention if you’ve read books they’ve represented or if there’s a connection between your book and their client list.
   3. Know your market: Be prepared to briefly explain your book’s audience and where it fits in the market (e.g., “Fans of XYZ author would enjoy this book” or “It’s Pride and Prejudice meets Twilight”).
   4. Focus on the main conflict: Clearly convey what your characters want and what stands in their way. Agents need to know what drives your story forward.
   5. Highlight the stakes: Why should the reader care? What happens if your character doesn’t achieve their goal? Show what’s at risk.
   6. Let your personality shine: Your voice is a crucial part of your story. Infuse your pitch with the same tone and style that’s in your writing, whether it’s humor, suspense, or emotional depth.
   7. Try to relax: Make your pitch conversational and engaging rather than rehearsed or robotic.
   8. Anticipate follow-up questions: Be ready to answer questions about the plot, characters, or themes. Know your story well, and be prepared to elaborate if the agent wants more information.
   9. Know the jargon: If an agent asks you how many POVs are int he book, do you know what that means? If they ask you to send a query or synopsis, do you know what those are?
   10. Be open to feedback: Some agents might offer feedback or suggestions during the pitch. Listen attentively and show a willingness to consider their insights.

Questions You May Be Asked

If you’re at a pitch event, you have 3 to 10 minutes with an agent. After your pitch, the agent will probably ask questions, which could be anything from:

1. Is the book finished?
2. What other books are comparable to your book?
3. What makes your book stand out from comparable books?
4. Have you written or been published before?
5. Are you working with or have you worked with an agent before?
6. Why did you decide to write this book?
7. Tell me about you.
8. What are your writing goals?
9. Do you have an author platform?
10. What questions do you have for me?

Responses You Might Get

The hardest part of a pitch is knowing you might get a rejection to your face. Ouch!

Possible rejections…

But most agents are aware of how challenging an in-person pitch is and will be gentle with you if they’re not interested. Pay attention to what they tell you if they’re not interested. Responses such as “that’s not something I represent” tell you that you didn’t research the agent well enough or that you don’t understand your genre.  If you’ve pitched a 120,000 word romcom as a first-time author, the agent might suggest you cut 40,000, then pitch again.

Sometimes the answer may be “it doesn’t fit with what I’m looking for now,” or “I don’t think I’m the best agent for this book.” While that can be an agent’s attempt at a gentle “no,” it could be true. Agents have their preferences. What might not be a “fit” for one agent could be a perfect fit for another.

Sometimes the answer will be no, but you’ll get feedback. Listen and learn! It could be the key to tweaking your book or your pitch for success in the future.

Positive responses…

If you’ve pitched well to the right agent, you may receive a request to submit. Pay attention to what they ask for and how they want you to deliver it. In many cases, they’ll ask for the synopsis and a few chapters to start with. Other times, they might ask for the full manuscript.

If they ask you to submit, they’ll give you a business card or other information with a URL on where to submit. In your query, remind the agent where you met them and what you’re submitting.

If they have guidelines on the page they refer you to, READ and FOLLOW them. You’ve done all this great work and gotten an agent interested in your book. Don’t mess it up by not following the submission guidelines.

When the Pitch is Over

When time is up, don’t dawdle. Thank the agent/publisher for their time. If the agent has requested you send something, make sure you have their card or information so you can follow up.

I think many people, myself included, dream of best seller status and making a living selling books when they first sit down to write the story rattling around in their brains. What most don’t consider is all the moving parts that are involved in writing, publishing, and marketing books. I bumbled around for a long time before I found my stride.

Here are a few things I wish I knew when I started my writing career:

One: Writers Groups Are a Must

I got my start in non-fiction writing and in 10 years I wrote two books. Then I joined a writing group, and over the next five years, I wrote seven books (mostly fiction), and that doesn’t count my ghost writing projects. The difference was the support, feedback, and information I gained from writing groups.

Writing groups are worth their weight in gold (if you get into a good one). These groups will give you the real-deal information and tips you need to know from writers who have been where you are and are now where you want to be. Books and blogs are helpful too, but there’s something about hearing directly from other writers on what worked and what didn’t that is invaluable.

The critique you’ll receive will help you learn the craft of writing faster, including the little hacks and tips that beef up your writing instantly (like eliminating filler words and reducing dialogue tags). You’ll get a sense of how readers will experience your book (what doesn’t make sense or plot holes) so you can fix them. My writing improved by leaps and bounds through critique and edits. I’ve internalized much of the tips and feedback I’ve received, so first drafts go quicker and require fewer edits.

Writing groups provide support from other writers who understand the challenges of writing and living life with made up characters yammering all the time in your head.

BTW…you can join Write with Harte FREE to gain access to a growing library of downloadable tools and guides, a weekly email filled with information and resources, and a weekly Zoom call to ask questions, get support, and have fun with other romance writers.

Two: You’ll Never Read a Book the Same Again

To be honest, this can be a bummer, but it will also reveal how much you’ve gleaned about good writing from your writer’s group and editors. For me, I frequently question authors’ use of a dialogue tags when they’re not needed. This is true of big-five-published authors, as well as indie authors. A well-known romance author sometimes head hops (point-of-view character jumps back and forth). These are things I never noticed until I became a writer.

Stephan King says that writers read as a way to learn about writing. It’s true. But it also affects the way you read and sometimes the enjoyment of reading.

Three: There’s No Secret Sauce (or Magic Formula) to Writing

Yes, there is story structure and plot expectations. Yes, there are “rules” of craft designed to make your writing exciting to readers. But there’s no one way to execute all this. Being a pantster (writing by the seat of your pants) isn’t right or wrong, or better or worse than plotting your novel, despite what die-hard pantsters and plotters might tell you.

Typing versus handwriting versus dictation–no right or wrong option. Following plot beats to the word-count-T or not–no right or wrong. Plotting dual lines for each main character or a single entwined plot–no right or wrong.

Scrivener or Word? Write in the AM or PM? Desk or laptop? Home or java joint? There is no hard and fast rule about any of this. The secret is to find what works for you.

There is value in talking with other authors and learning what works for them, especially if the typical writing suggestions aren’t working for you. But ultimately, you need to do you. The best way to figure out your writing style and tools is testing until you find the ones that work best for you.

Four: How to Turn Off the Inner Critic

One of the hardest hurdles to overcome is writing drivel. When the words don’t flow, or the ones that do are flat on the page, it’s easy to stop writing (it’s one reason for writer’s block). But you need to think of writing as any other new skill you learn; you suck at first and get better as you go along. The more you do it, the better you get.

The key to developing as a writer is to learn to get what’s in your head on the page in a flow state, not worrying if the words or sentences aren’t adequate. You fix that revision. First drafts are like a black and white sketch. You need to get the basic elements of the story on the page, and go back later to shade for depth or add color, and sometimes erase what doesn’t work.

I have a caveat…remember when I said you have to do you when you write? There are some writers who will edit while writing the manuscript. But almost ALL of them will finish what they’re writing that day first, and then go back to revise/edit. The writing and editing aren’t happening simultaneously, but one after the other.

Five: Writing and Publishing Takes Longer than You Think

First books take the longest to write. The more you write, the faster you get. But the process of publishing has many moving parts, whether you want to traditionally publish or self-publish. There is often a lot of “hurry up and wait.”

Traditional publishing, in particular, takes forever. You wait to hear if an agent wants to represent your book. You wait for the agent to edit and submit to publishers. It takes forever to hear from publishers and longer than you think to get the contract from the publisher after they say they want the book. From the time you submit the final book to your publisher to publishing day can take 12 months to 2 years. Royalties come every six to twelve months.

Indie publishing can have its share of waiting as well. Waiting for your editor to put you on the schedule and edit the book. Waiting for your book covers. Waiting for your publishing platforms to approve the book. Granted, this waiting is a few days to a few weeks, but still…waiting is hard when you’ve got a book to share with the world.

Six: New Stories Come Fast and Furious

Writing a book opens the floodgate to ideas. Suddenly and frequently, you see or hear something and think, “That would make a great book.” Characters arrive unannounced and uninvited, wanting their own stories told. It’s reassuring to know you have lots of story ideas, but sometimes, all the stories can get crowded in your mind. Get a notebook or something to store all these great ideas.

Seven: Start Marketing Yesterday

I didn’t do this correctly during my non-fiction writing days, but I got right when I started my fiction writing career. Before my first fiction book was done, I built a website, started an email list, and set up social media platforms. Especially today, it’s more important than ever to start talking to your readers now about your book. It’s the best way to create interest in your book, and have book sales the day you publish.

Eight: Understand and Use Deep POV

Readers love books that take them on an emotional ride. The best way to evoke emotion is through the use of deep point-of-view in which the reader vicariously experiences everything your point-of-view character does. It uses the five senses to create tension and emotion. Readers feel like they’re right alongside your characters, seeing, feeling, hearing, and experiencing everything the character is. The flutters of first love the anguish of heartache, and everything in between.

Nine: Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

This is a tough one for me still. It can be hard to see other writers and wonder what you’re missing or what do they have that you don’t. There is so much at play when it comes to success and not all of it has to do with your story or the quality of writing. Marketing to the right readers in the right way is part of it.

I had an author say it was “Stardust” that has some authors taking off while other don’t. I’ve tried to find Stardust on Amazon, so far, no luck. All this to say that sometimes outside elements or luck play a part. Colleen Hoover didn’t shoot to fame because of something she did (beyond writing books readers enjoyed). She became the number one bookselling authors because readers talked about her books on TikTok and other social media. That’s stardust.

Ten: Being an Author is a Business

It would be nice to write, publish, and have a big bank account and raving fans. But it doesn’t work like that. Becoming an author requires a strategy beyond writing. Like any business, you need to focus on the quality of your product and the packaging (covers, description). You need a plan to find readers (marketing). And because it involves expenses and income, you need to have a separate bank account and a money management system to track the money going out and coming in.

I created an LLC and run all my businesses under the LLC’s umbrella, including my author business. But starting out, you can set up a sole proprietorship (which is free). You do need a separate business account to make Uncle Sam happy (at least in the U.S.) for tax purposes, but that’s easy to set up. NOTE: I’m not a tax or legal expert, so please contact professionals for more details on this. At the very least, visit your city or county’s small business website for information on starting a business in your area.

You have a romance novel in you…let’s get it written!

The fourth Write with Harte Preptober Writevember Challenge starts October 1, 2024! Join now to get the information, tips, support, and resources you need to turn your book idea into a romance novel.

What is Preptober?

Preptober was initially coined by NaNoWriMo participants who used the month of October to plan their writing project for November.

At Write with Harte, Preptober is used to plan a writing project for Writevember (write a book in November), as well as provide participants with information, instruction, tips, resources, and more to plan and write a romance.

What is Writevember?

Writevember is Write with Harte’s version of National Novel Writing Month. It varies in that writers can pick their own writing challenge for November. Ideas include finishing an already-started novel. Writing a 30,000 word novella. Writing two 30,000 word novellas. Writing 1,000 or 80,000 words.

Further, writers who join WWH’s challenge receive daily tips, support, and motivation to achieve their goal.

FREE Preptober and Writevember Romance Writing Challenge

For years, I wrote books that got done mostly by a wish and prayer. I wrote a lot, then I wrote nothing. I got stuck, then the words flowed…until they stopped again. I pantstered and tried plotting with little success. It’s not that this method didn’t work. I wrote half a dozen books like this.

But then I became a ghost writer, and over the last several years, I’ve averaged a book a month (over 75 books to date). What this process taught me was that cranking out 1,000 to 2,000 words a day isn’t that hard IF you understand the elements of good romance fiction and have a plan.

In the WWH Preptober and Writevember Challenge I share with you my tips, hacks, and secrets for writing a lot of words in a short time and have them end with a satisfying romance.

The goal of the Preptober and Writevember is two-fold:

1. Understand good romance novels and a plan to write your own (October)
2. Write a novel (November)

The challenge starts October 1st, and each day in October, you’ll get an email with information, tips, and homework to plan your romance novel. Most lessons won’t take very long. Others might take an hour. Of course, finding time will be covered so that when November comes, you have the time and organized ideas to write 1,000 to 2,000 words in an hour or 90 minutes (or whatever your daily goal will be).

You’ll continue to get a daily email in November with additional tips, inspiration, and pacing cues to help you stay on track.

Along with daily emails, there will be weekly Zoom meetings to recap the week’s goals, ask questions, and get support.

Participants can connect between calls by joining the private Romance Writing Challenge group here at Write with Harte. If you haven’t joined Write with Harte, it is free, and gives you access to a variety of tools, as well as the ability to take part in groups and forums. You can join the Write with Harte Community for free here (Note, that joining Write with Harte doesn’t automatically register you for the Preptober Writevember Challenge. You’ll need to register for the challenge separately).

Don’t wait, join the WWH Preptober Writevember Challenge now! Learn more and sign up for free here: Preptober and Writevember Romance Writing Challenge

PS: If you’ve taken the challenge before and want to take it again, you’ll need to sign up again. Overall, the challenge is the same as previous years, with a few updates.

I don’t know what being an author was like before the Internet. Marketing was different for sure. And while there were bad reviews and haters, chances were most authors didn’t directly hear from them.

Today, reaching readers around the world is fast and easy, while at the same time, boosting the amount of work authors need to do. I listened to a podcast interview with Skye Warren once in which she talked about trying to do all the things when it came to her author career and it made her sick.

Then there is the direct input from readers that can be wonderful, in the case of fans, but really demoralizing from mean people. Let’s face it, many people say things to others online that they probably wouldn’t say face-to-face. The Internet has a distance that some people feel emboldened to speak their first impulses, but those on the receiving end don’t have that same sense of distance. Mean words hurt.

It seems to me that the Internet has made some aspects of being an author easier and yet harder, and sometimes overwhelming and emotionally fraught. Authors need to take care that they don’t let the work or negativity bring them down.

Self-care isn’t just a trendy buzzword; it’s a vital practice that allows us to continue doing what we love—writing with passion and purpose. Whether you’re overwhelmed by all the moving parts to writing, publishing, and marketing your romance novels, managing the ouch of a negative review, or booted from a group for saying “AI,” taking time to nurture yourself is key to sustaining your creativity and avoiding burnout.

By prioritizing self-care, you’re ensuring that your passion for writing remains as vibrant and enduring as the romances you create.

Building a Strong Mental Health Foundation

The sturdiest structures are built on a strong foundation. The stronger your mental health, the better you’re able to weather the storms that can batter you through the writing, publishing, and market process. A strong base of mental health comes from taking care of yourself as a matter of course, not just when the winds are blowing.

Here are tips to shoring up your mental health foundation.

By the way…I doubt much of what is listed below will be a surprise. Activities such as exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep are the solution to many of life’s challenges. But are you doing them? I know I don’t always maintain as healthy of lifestyle as I can.

Physical Self-Care

1. Regular Exercise: Engage in activities like walking, yoga, or stretching to relieve tension from long hours of writing.
2. Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet to keep your energy levels steady.
3. Adequate Sleep: Prioritize getting enough rest to stay sharp and creative.
4. Frequent Breaks: Take short breaks during writing sessions to stretch, move around, and rest your eyes.
5. Ergonomic Workspace: Set up a comfortable and supportive workspace to prevent strain on your body.

Mental and Emotional Self-Care

1. Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and improve focus.
2. Journaling: Reflect on your thoughts and emotions through journaling to process your experiences.
3. Creative Outlets: Engage in other creative activities like painting, music, or crafting to refresh your mind.
4. Reading for Pleasure: Take time to read books purely for enjoyment, without the pressure of analyzing them.
5. Positive Affirmations: Use affirmations to boost your confidence and combat self-doubt.

Social and Community Care

1. Connect with Fellow Authors: Join writing groups or online communities to share experiences and offer support. I you’re not yet a member of Write with Harte, join us for camaraderie and support.
2. Attend Writing Events: Participate in writing workshops, book signings, or author panels to stay connected with the writing community.
3. Set Boundaries: Clearly define your working hours and personal time to avoid burnout.
4. Reach Out for Help: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to a friend, mentor, or therapist.

Professional Self-Care

1. Organize Your Schedule: Create a realistic writing schedule that includes time for breaks and personal activities.
2. Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones in your writing process.
3. Manage Expectations: Set achievable goals and be gentle with yourself if things don’t go as planned.
4. Continual Learning: Take courses or read about topics that interest you or could enhance your writing skills.
5. Delegate Tasks: If possible, delegate tasks like editing, marketing, or formatting to professionals.

Spiritual Self-Care

1. Nature Walks: Spend time outdoors to reconnect with nature and clear your mind.
2. Spiritual Practices: Engage in activities that nourish your spirit, such as prayer, meditation, or reading spiritual texts.
3. Gratitude Practice: Maintain a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life and writing journey.

How to Take Care of Yourself in the Midst of Angst

Similar to how lifting weights will strengthen your muscles, the activities above will strengthen your fortitude and resilience when the poop hits the fan or something happens that knocks your confidence off-kilter.

But what do you do when the bad review comes in? Or when someone is particularly mean online? Or maybe your sales are down or your ad was blocked. Sh1t happens, right? How can you get up when knocked down? Here are a few tips.

1. Take a Break: Step away from your writing and give yourself permission to rest. Even a short break can help clear your mind. While you don’t want to be away from writing too long, it might be necessary to take some time off.

2. Practice Deep Breathing: Engage in deep breathing exercises to calm your nervous system and reduce stress. This sounds too easy, when the body and mind are stressed, people tend to take shorter breaths that lead to more tension. There’s a reason why pregnant women are taught breathing exercises for labor. It’s calming. It turns the focus onto something else. It brings more oxygen into the body.

3. Go for a Walk: A change of scenery and some fresh air can do wonders for your mental state. Walking helps clear your mind and can spark new ideas.

4. Engage in Physical Activity: Whether it’s yoga, dancing, or a workout, physical movement can help release pent-up tension and improve your mood.

5. Journal Your Thoughts: I whine a lot in my journal. Sometimes I don’t like that I’m negative in my journal, but ultimately, by writing all my fussing down, I get it out of my head and body. Sometimes the process of writing leads to a better understanding of what the problem is, which can help me find solutions.

6. Listen to Music: Put on some soothing or uplifting music to shift your mood and provide a mental escape. When I was a social worker, I had a few days a week when I had to work in an office in which my coworkers were always negative. On the way to work, I’d listen to Get Over It by the Eagles to psych me up for those days. Create a playlist of songs that perk you up. Here are a few songs to consider:

• Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves.
• I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
• Lovely Day by Bill Withers
• Roar by Katy Perry
• Firework by Katy Perry
• Don’t Stop Believing by Journey
• Happy by Pharrell Williams
• Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake
• I Am Woman by Helen Reddy
• Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen
• Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
• Unwritten by Natashia Bedingfield
• Ode to Joy by Beethoven
• Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
• Don’t Give Up by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

7. Talk to Someone: Reach out to a friend, fellow author, or therapist to share your thoughts and feelings. Sometimes, just talking things out can bring relief. I think sometimes we feel like everyone is doing awesome and we’re alone in our challenges. The truth is, others have gone through or are going through many of the same issues you are. It can be nice to realize you’re not alone in the struggle. And sometimes you’ll find tips to help you through it.

8. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation: Spend a few minutes practicing mindfulness or meditation to center yourself and reduce anxiety.

9. Declutter Your Space: This might sound like a weird strategy, but I know for me, sometimes my low mood comes from a disorganized space and mind. A tidy environment can lead to a clearer mind and a renewed sense of control.

10. Revisit Your Why and Goals: Set Small, Achievable Goals: Remind yourself of why you started this journey. Get back that feeling of excitement about writing and sharing your stories with the world.

11. Limit Social Media: This is especially helpful if the source of your challenges is online. Take a break from social media to avoid comparison traps, information overload, and negativity. Focus on what’s important to you. When you go back online, unfollow anyone who posts things that impact you negatively (I’ve had to do this a lot during election cycles).

13. Engage in a Different Creative Activity: Do something creative that isn’t related to writing, like drawing, cooking, or crafting. This can refresh your mind and inspire new ideas.

14. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Sometimes a negative trigger can lead to a spiralling of more negative thinking. I’m prone to this. One bad thing happens and next I’m listing all the bad things that could happen or piling on all the reasons why I suck and won’t be successful. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and that taking care of yourself is a priority.

15. Take a Power Nap: While you don’t want to hide away and give into the down feelings in a way that reinforces them, there can be a restoration in sleep. A short nap can recharge your energy and improve your mental clarity.

16. Treat Yourself: Do something nice for yourself, whether it’s enjoying a favorite snack, buying yourself flowers, taking a hot bath, or watching a comforting movie.

17. Practice Gratitude: Like deep breathing, gratitude is so easy that you wonder how it can actually work. But it does. Reflect on what you’re grateful for, both in your writing journey and in life. Gratitude can shift your focus away from negative stuff to positivity.

18. Limit Your To-Do List: Just this morning, I erased (not even crossed off) several items on my To Do list. I have stuff from yesterday that didn’t get done because I ended up spending time with my sister and mother. Tomorrow, I have the day blocked off to be with my hubby who is going into surgery. So why did I think I could do all the things? I can’t. So today, I erased (I love erasable pens) several items. Now when I look at my planner, it’s more manageable, and the stress is lowered. Prioritize tasks and allow yourself to push less critical ones to another day. Lightening your load can alleviate stress.

19. Reset Your Goals: Goals offer a roadmap and timeline to your success, but they’re not set in stone. If you’ve bitten off more than you can chew, or perhaps, the plan isn’t working and you need to evaluate and reset, do it. Don’t keep on keepin’ on with something that is making you stressed out especially if it’s not bringing you closer to your goals. Take a breath. Reassess. Make a new plan.

20. Stay Away from Negative Spaces: Okay, so you can’t always do this. Negative Nellys are everywhere. But you can try to avoid or limit time in spaces that you know have negative energy. Social media is one (see number 11), but there are likely others. I tend not to read my Goodreads reviews (by the way, reviews are for readers, not authors, which means you shouldn’t respond to them). I left a Facebook group once because I realized every day there was drama. Sometimes I’d perseverate on it even when I wasn’t online. I don’t need that. I left a critique group that I’d really liked, but a few new players turned the time into something negative and stressful.

21. Seek Professional Help: If feelings of overwhelm persist, consider speaking with a mental health professional. They can offer strategies and support tailored to your needs.

In all you do, you’re only as good as your attitude, energy, and mental health. As they say on the airplane, if the oxygen masks drops down, put yours on first, then help others. The same is true in life. You’re at your best if you take time to care for yourself first. Not in a narcissistic way. But in the way that gives you the energy and mindset to take on the world.