Jenna Greene's Blog

Perhaps I shouldn't admit this, but I can go months at a time without feeling the muse. I hit the hay at night without having penned a single word, with no regrets about not having done so, nor any unfinished thoughts or plots in my head. My diary pages remain empty and my laptop remains untouched.

And when this happens, I go with it. I don't press the creative spirit, because I'm confident it'll eventually come back - when I'm rested, less busy, inspired.

It's hit me now. I'm scribbling away. My diary pages are filling up. I have two short stories in the works, with more ideas on the way. I am eagerly awaiting edits on my next novel - which I ordinarily despise. (Write drunk; edit sober!) I'm seeking new opportunities and even re-reading old poetry.

I had a book signing today, with a fellow YA author (one whom I adore, by the way). She is newer to the profession, and every time someone came to speak with me, mentioning they were a fan of my work, or anticipating the sequel, she became a bit envious of my success.

Personally, I still believe I'm at the beginning of my publishing journey. I sold 13 books today at the signing, yet I know a more prominent author might have sold 40. Two years ago, however, I might have sold none.

Here's my advice for myself, this fellow author, and anyone else thinking of writing and publishing: There will always be someone ahead of you on the journey. That being said, there will always be someone behind you on the journey too. You might not have sold ten thousand copies of your latest novel, but you are ahead of the person who hasn't even written theirs. I'm sure authors on the the New York Times Bestseller list, compare themselves to authors who have been on the list twice. Or five times. Or a hundred.

So there just isn't any point in comparing. Where you are at in the journey is where you are at. And good job, by the way! Good job to you and good job to me.

I'm fine with where I'm at. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. I can't wait to see where I go from here.

There are all sorts of studies, lists, and Facebook links to how much time (daily) famous authors spent writing. Modern writers post their stats for writing and editing. I doubt I'm the norm, as I write in short stints. Very short stints. Twenty minutes at a time, if I'm lucky. I could claim that it's because I have work, marking, volunteer responsibilities, a new baby, and a husband, but that's not the reason. With editing, I'm far too impatient to plod through grammar for long lengths of time. With writing, however, I write scenes, then need plenty of time to daydream up the next one. I will sit in a chair and think. Lay on my bed. Read for inspiration.

My husband will say, "What are you doing?"
"Writing," I'll reply.
In response, I'll get the oddest looks.

Of course, sometimes I can do 5-6 short writing stints in a day. That adds up. Then the produced pages multiply. It's quite nice to see. I can't compare myself to other authors, monitoring their progress against mine. I do what works for me.