What if . . . I feel hopeless?

The "ugly middle" of a project can foster feelings of hopelessness . . .

• Hopeless that you'll ever finish, but
• if you do, it won't turn out the way you want it, which leads to
• a hopeless mindset,?Is this even worth my time?
• Any or all of the above means you might enter a cycle of avoiding the project, or
• only dreaming about it (all while hoping progress "automagically" happens), or that
• something will happen to spur you out of this hopeless, depressing mindset and into one of major progress.

Wow, that's a lot. Right??I get it.

In my pursuit of fiction, I've repeated this cycle for years to varying degrees. Probably because my nonfiction muscles are strong, but my fiction muscles are weak. It's easier to do the easy thing than the hard thing.

If you're feeling hopeless, here are some strategies I've used to break through to make progress and finally succeed on my goals:

• It's impossible to edit a blank page.?An ugly first draft trumps an unwritten draft every day and twice on Sunday. Schedule time to write and make that writing time inviolate. Let the words flow, whether you love them at the beginning or not. Plus, when you review them later, you'll most likely think,?Wow, this is pretty good! I wrote some pretty great stuff! Go me!?(At least, I hope you will. Give yourself some credit!)
• Writing your book is supposed to be fun.?Your book is your real estate—the one place that's all your own and you get to create something (that will be awesome) that combines your education, knowledge, experience, personality, sense of humor, and how you've helped others—all in one place! (And it will help you reach some of your other goals, too!)?This is all meant to be fun.?Make writing time fun. Play some great music. Drink a yummy beverage. Have a snack handy!
• And a creative outlet.?You're creating something from nothing, not unlike a blank canvas, empty room, or your work with a new client. This is your opportunity to bring out your inner eight-year-old and dance like no-one is watching—in the form of your writing. Instead of avoiding it, turn it into something you can't wait to do! I look forward to my writing time, because it transports me to another place, let it do that for you, too.
• Plus, you don't write, publish, and/or monetize your book alone.?While some people do, I don't advise writing the book, editing your own work, designing your own book cover, writing your own back cover copy (I could go on), and publishing "just an ebook over the weekend."?Please don't do this.?You'll take your ugly first draft and experience the joy of collaborating with a book doctor or editor, making changes and upgrades to your prose. Your final book cover will take your breath away. The back cover copy will make you want to buy your own book! Getting positive reviews will reinforce that what you've done is helping others and leaving the world a better place. Find your team—get on the calendars of your editor, proofreader, graphic designer, copywriter. You might write your words alone, but your book will be created by a team.
• Recognize when you're entering the cycle of avoidance.?If you haven't written for two or three days (or weeks or months), ask yourself?why.?Did you get sick? Move? Lose a loved one? Get laid off? Well then, for goodness sake, get yourself back to a place of equilibrium. Did you "just not feel like it," then sit your arse down and write some words. Repeat after me:?ugly words are better than no words. You can do this. I promise.

The last thing I would ever want you to feel is hopeless, because then all might be lost. Press your mental reset button and begin again.

I'll see you tomorrow!

Honorée Corder

Author,?You Must Market Your Book

Honorée Corder | I help professionals write, publish, market, and monetize their books.

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