Hi, have you met my friend burnout?

It's been a while since I posted on Untethered Realms last. In fact, I think it might have been well over a year. Eek. Sorry guys. 

I would have liked to say my absence was due to my sold-out international book tour, or that signing the books during that tour sprained my typing hand... But no. 

Unfortunately, the reasons for my absence is an old, familiar friend to writers everywhere... burnout. 

It's probably funny to see burnout referred to as a friend, but I did conclude that, while burnout is a thorny fellow, he actually is kinda good to have around. Why? He has a way of making us step back and reassess. 

On my side, I'm pretty much consistently go go go, even in the worst of circumstances (of which last year was basically one crap situation extended over about 200 days), but being this way comes at a high cost to my physical and mental health. 

By the end of those 200 or so days, my buddy burnout came over, seemingly to stay. I pushed on regardless because I had to, straight through Christmas. And by the third week of January, I was physically ill. 

At which point burnout grabbed me by the neck, made me look it square in the eyes, and told me, "You can't go on like this, Misha. Seriously come on." 

So to a large extent, being sickly plus burned out was the impetus I needed to take a harsh look at myself and... well... get a grip on some really bad habits I have. 

At the same time, I'm also having to look at every aspect of my life and how I'm spending my time, because I simply can't keep going on the way I did and expect for my exhaustion to go away. So at least for now, I've cut way back on everything I possibly can, in the hopes that I can open up my days and start fitting things in, somehow in a way that makes better sense. 

And none of these things would have happened if I hadn't burned out, even if it was seriously damaging to my health. 

So yeah. Not necessarily a bad guy, burnout. 

Do you burn out sometimes? Have you burned out recently? Did burning out make you reconsider your habits and lifestyle? 

UR is welcoming guests in the new year

To all the authors who love science fiction, fantasy, the paranormal, and all those wonderful in between bits of speculative fiction,

You're invited to write a guest post for our blog.

We want all your weird, wacky, intelligent, and creative thoughts on topics in these genres. We love to provoke what ifs and spark our readers' minds.

We're not looking for promotional posts. Give us thoughtful and fun. No more than 1000 words and a maximum of three images. Plus a short two to three sentence bio with your links.

Hitch a ride with Untethered Realms. We love to have guests. Just keep your arms inside at all times, don't drink Jezebel's punch, and please don't tease the T-Rex in the back.

Any queries can be sent to christinerains.writer@gmail.com

Reading Challenges

It's the time of year when eager readers jump into reading challenges. I've been doing the Goodreads challenge for a few years now. Every year, my goal is to read and review 100 books. (I'm a fast reader!) Before I had my son, it was easy to achieve. Now that I have a kid, I include books I read with him. Children's authors deserve reviews too!

There are all sorts of different challenges. There are genre specific ones, ones that help you read more diversely, ones to read banned books, and ones to re-discover the classics. You can do a little from each one or just try to clear your TBR pile.

Yet there is one challenge I think everyone who loves to read should take on: getting other people to become readers. I see folks all the time just surfing the net on their phones or playing games, and they have not read a novel in their adult lives. 27% of the adult population didn't read a single book last year.

Reading books is much easier these days too. You can get apps for your phone and tablet, or you can listen to audiobooks. Many folks have a commute. What a perfect time to listen to a good story!

 

If talking excitedly about your favorite books to people doesn't work, tell them that reading helps increase brain function, sharpens focus, expands imagination, and reduces stress. People do sleep better if they read a little every day. Well, if they get hooked on the book and want to keep reading, they do lose sleep!

If we can all convince one non-reader to read a book this year, we all win.

You can tell them they don't even have to pay for a good read!

The Best of Intentions...

I'm sure my Untethered Realms buddies are all looking forward to me being awesome on another one of my fabulous vlogs. No really. I have a Youtube Channel now. Currently it has two vlog posts on it.

And today's post... isn't one of them.

The sad thing is that I volunteered to do our first ever Untethered Realms vlog post more than two months ago, thinking that I'd have more than enough time to get everything done.

What I didn't bargain on was the whole-scale destruction of my available time.

So one day, I will get into a regular vlogging groove during which I will post one fabulous vlog featuring me (because I'm hugely entertaining on film, not to mention eloquent.) But today is not that day.

It got me thinking, though. Is it me, or is 2016 just rough on us writers? My writing is about a tenth of what I had (conservatively) anticipated having. Add to that the general stress and strain and just general curve-balls that is life...

Chaos, I tell you.

Sheer bloody chaos.

And I don't know why. Did someone push a button somewhere? In which case, shall we gather together with flaming torches and pitchforks? Because I for one want to kick that person's ass.

I mean really. Life being busy is one thing, but I'm one of those people who likes having something to show for my time. But it's almost year-end -- Don't laugh. You know you'll blink at the end of this post and we'll be singing Auld Lang Syne. -- and I've managed exactly one finished project in total. And only that because I had done 90% of the work last year already.

I could be pulling out my hair because of this. Really I could. In fact, I was there, emotionally, a month or so ago, but then I realized something.

Sometimes, even our best efforts and intentions won't lead to our expected results. Boo! Yeah I know that sounds like a serious downer, but actually it's not. Really, it's a permission slip to cut ourselves some slack.

I know I'm not this unproductive because I've been slacking. I've been struggling because 2016 is hard. And if you're sitting in the same boat as me. Gosh there are a lot of you.

Ahem.

Those of us sitting in this boat are going to have enough trouble keeping it afloat until things get better again. Let's not add to the weight by carrying along our guilt and failure anxieties.

So. I've had to adapt my expectations for what I want to achieve in 2016 because the alternative would be working myself into an early grave. And I've realized that that's okay. Hopefully next year our little boat hits a nice island filled with muses and plot bunnies and we can get some serious work done.

What about you? Are you in the same boat as me? Yes? Welcome. No? Call the coast guard. Please and thank you. 

When Reading Books on #Writing and #Marketing

It's important for authors to read books on the craft and marketing and how to stay sane, or at least making it look like you're sane so they don't take away your computer, pens, and paper.

Sometimes we'll come across a book that will simultaneously light a bonfire of inspiration and make us bang our heads on the desk for doing it all wrong. Books like this are priceless. Sure, they might momentarily derail us from our goal of appearing sane, but this wicked tug-of-war with your writer's soul is a great teaching moment.

Here are four things to remember when reading books on writing and marketing:

1) There is no one right way for everyone. This is vital to remember. I'm sure you've heard every writer's journey is different. Prepare yourself, because no matter how frustrating it might be, it's true. Pantser or plotter? Whatever works best for you, or rather, for your muse. Twitter or Facebook? Hey, maybe you don't need either one. There is no magic formula for success. You just have to try everything.

2) Everything? Okay, you don't have to do it all, but it helps to try new things. This is why you must know your personal limits. What are you willing to write? Some folks won't venture into R-rated works or write stories about horses, and most people will refuse to combine the two. How much time and money can you devote to marketing? A lot of us have no money to spare. Bills must be paid. So when someone declares book ads are the only way to go, you find a different way that works for you.

3) Let the book inspire you. Get excited, talk about it, and let it propel you forward to being a better writer. Even if you don't learn anything new from the author, you still can be roused to greater heights, and that in itself is valuable.

4) Let the book open your eyes to where you're going wrong. Sometimes we can be stubborn about things. We don't want to change. This could be what's holding you back. It might send you into a wailing fit or make you want to throw your manuscript into the mouth of the Kraken, but don't do it. You can save yourself by trying something new. It might be scary and/or difficult, and it might not even work, but breaking away from stale old habits will help in the long run.

We need these books to keep learning and improving. A good writer is forever bettering herself. Even if you only find one or two nuggets of information in a book that will help you, it is one or two pieces of knowledge you didn't have before. Keep reading and you'll find more. Eventually you'll have all the components for your own magic formula.

What books on writing and marketing have inspired you lately?

A Writer's Thanksgiving

When I asked for ideas for today's blog post, Untethered Realms member Catherine Stine suggested a writer's thanksgiving. Being from the UK, it's one annual event I don't celebrate. However, this year I am. I'm going to share with you all the things I'm thankful for as a writer.

I'm thankful I can read. I was lucky enough to have a foster-father who believed in the importance of being able to read and the fantastic worlds that were opened for you because you could read.

I'm thankful that as a young child I lived within a few minutes walk of a library. I spent many happy hours hunting for new books. I'm grateful all those reads were free.

I'm thankful I can write. It pains me that so many of the world's population cannot read or write.

I'm thankful I have the tools to write. The ability to use letters to form words that in turn form sentences, paragraphs, and eventually stories. A word processor that makes writing so quick and easy. A treasured fountain pen and notepads for when I prefer to scratch those words into life.

I'm thankful I have the time to write. Of course, I always want more.

I'm thankful I have the freedom to write. My words aren't censored. I don't live in fear of my life because of what I write or publish.

I'm thankful for the writing community. I don't think I've experience a more supportive and inspiring group of people.

I'm thankful for editors, cover artists, and all the people who help writers create books. I'm always in awe of their talents.

I'm thankful for being a part of an amazing writing group, Untethered Realms. My fellow Realmers inspire and motivate me on a daily basis. They support me when I feel down, kick my backside when I need it, and most importantly make me laugh when laughter is needed.

I'm thankful I love to write, and that I found my passion in life.

Lastly, I'm thankful I have readers. There is no better reward for a writer than to have someone read your stories and tell you they liked them.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Setting Writing Goals for the New Year

Happy New Year!

It's that time again when many of us make resolutions and set goals for the new year. Unfortunately the majority of people will not stick to them. We all start with good intentions and a positive outlook, but something happens along the way. A little bump in the road, a distraction, or a villain blows up your batcave. 

But we should not let these things deter us from our goals. We must stay strong.

Here are some tips to help you stick to your writing goals and become your own superhero.

1) Set smart (a.k.a. realistic) goals. You must be specific: know how much time you have to dedicate to it and make sure you set goals that are attainable in that time period. If you're going to get up one hour earlier in the mornings to write, make sure you're still getting enough sleep. You can't persevere if you're falling asleep at your desk.

2) Set inspiring goals. While you want to be realistic about what you can do, you want to do something that motivates you and leaves you in awe of what you've accomplished. This is what you dreamed about doing. Find a path that works for you to achieve it.

3) Break your big goals down to smaller, more manageable goals. Set daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Be aware of your schedule. One month might be much busier than the next. Also, know how you write. Are you fast or slow? Do you edit as you go along? For some people, measurable ones like setting a daily word count target work best. For others, one short story a month is a reasonable goal since they might only get a chance to write on weekends.

4) Reward yourself. Sometimes being a writer can be stressful, even overwhelming. Drafting, revising, editing, querying, marketing, and networking. Yikes! It helps to take a step back and do something else you like after you achieve a small goal. Go for a walk, enjoy a movie, or bake cookies. Relax. Winding down will help make you see things in a more positive light and boost your creativity.

5) Most importantly, be flexible. Life is going to take you on some unexpected turns. You might have to work later at the office or an illness could keep you in bed for weeks. Don't get discouraged. These goals are your own. You can change them. Don't let the villains stop you from reaching your dreams.

What are your writing goals for this year? Do you have any tips that help you stick with them?

Cheers!

Christine Rains