The Vital Importance of Writing Ahead

Oh, you want to write and publish six books a year?

It can’t be done. What’re you thinking? No one can live at that speed, particularly if you’re not a full-time writer! Sure, some people can write that fast, but they have a whole staff of people working with them, and probably a few ghost writers! Even if you can write six books right now, you’re going to burn out so fast. Doing it year after year? Impossible!

I’ve heard that a lot the last couple years. Well-meaning friends have warned me that I’m setting myself up for failure, publicly proclaiming that I’m publishing six books a year.

Guess what? I done it.

Almost.

All six Madelyn of the Sky books came out last school year. The first four Cade books are out, and books five and six are on the way! The first three Altira books are written, book four is halfway done, and books five and six are fully outlined and ready to go!

But.

Cade and the Sleeping Scouts is set for release on March 1. That’s less than a month away. I got my final set of edits from my editor a week ago. Usually I can get through those in a day or two. No problem.

Except.

This week I’ve been hit by depression hard. Every time I look at the file, it’s like my brain convulses. It refuses to concentrate on anything. Not just writing; anything. Can I do any work for my day job? Nope. Can I play a game with the kids? Nope. Can I write? Nope.

Honestly, it’s a little bit of a miracle I’m able to do this. Maybe I’m finally coming out of it. Maybe tomorrow I can finally get through this edit and hand it back for proofreading and formatting.

We can draw out a few writing lessons here. The first is one I’ve harped on before: Depression doesn’t create art.

But moreso, I’d like to say this: Work ahead. You know you have a book coming out? Get it written. Procrastination is not your friend.

Because of my depression, I’m actually behind on Altira, too. I wanted to be done with all six rough drafts by the end of 2023. Clearly that didn’t happen. What’ll happen with our schedule of publishing next year?

Well, we’ve got that planned out, but more on that later.

Especially if you have a mental illness like depression, work ahead. If you’re an indie author, make sure you’ve got a book or two banked so you can keep writing, or if you have an episode like I’m having, you have some margin.

Work ahead. You’ll thank yourself later.