IWSG - Mid-year Ups and Downs

Holy moly, it’s July. I took last month off because I just couldn’t get it together. So much was (and still is) going on that I had a hard time focusing and even pretending I was in a good head space. However, I’m trying this month to put something out.

This group is all about sharing our insecurities, successes, and failures so I’m gonna just put it out there. Warning now, this might become a rambling mess.

We are halfway through the most shittiest shows of shit show years. At this point I’m almost scared to ask what else could go wrong, because the answer is a lot!

So what will this all be about? Mostly a check in on what I’ve done and not done so far with half the year gone.

What I’ve not done is…well a lot. LOL I’d thought I’d have put out or at least finished more projects by now, but nope. I’ve published one book so far this year, in May which by the way time works these days seems like a freaking lifetime ago rather than just over a month ago.

And yes, I know that putting out a book is an accomplishment. But with the way I’ve been lately what I focus on is that I put out a novella, that took me way too freaking long to write because I can’t concentrate for shit. However, as my Squad likes to break out the pom-poms and cheer me on when I get down in the dumps, on the upside I have written 34k new words also since May.

That amazing feat was accomplished because I joined a challenge led by Tasha L. Harrison called 20kin5Days where you do just what you think, attempt to write twenty thousand words in five short days. Did I complete the challenge? Yes. Do I think the words will need major editing? Also yes. And am I finished with the story? No. Even though I set myself a deadline of June 30 to complete the first draft, it didn’t happen. The fact that I missed it bums me out, but I’m going to try and keep going and get it completed.

While June had me an emotional, stressed out mess due to everything that was and is still taking place with the senseless murders of Black people. The protests. The ongoing pandemic. It also ended up being my best month ever as an author. My first book released in 2014, then I didn’t put another book out until after joining this group in 2017. At most I’d sell maybe 10-15 books a month. When I released Being Hospitable, my first f/f story that spiked to 50+ in October, but quickly dwindled down. I don’t sell a lot of books, however this happened:

It was an unreal day and one I probably won’t have again, but still seeing my little book climb the ranks when I’m always in like the hundreds of thousands ranking for any and all of my titles was great. Of course the drop happened as expected, but screenshots are forever. LOL That unbelievable event happened because my little book was mentioned by a book reviewer I follow, but had no idea she 1) knew I existed and 2) actually read my books. I follow a lot of reviewers because I enjoy their content though I don’t reach out to peddle my wares.

Overall, I feel like I’m barely treading water. I have joined an anthology for the first time, so writing the short for that will at least get me something else published this year. Otherwise the chances are looking slim. It’s for charity which is why I joined.

The publisher’s proceeds from Love Me Always will be donated in their entirety to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Please note that Love Me Always is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NAACP.

If you aren't into reading romance, but still want to donate, please consider donating directly to the NAACP Legal DefenseFund.

Okay, I guess that’s it for now. Hopefully in August I can say I actually finished my current WIP and if I do, I’ll be once again entering query land.

I hope everyone is safe, and healthy. Be kind to each, wash your hands and wear your masks.

Until next time

~Meka

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.

The awesome co-hosts for the July 1 posting of the IWSG are Jenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet @ Roaming About, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!