Helpful Tips when Struggling through Creatively Challenging Times
And the Glorious Books and Authors who Helped Dig Me Out of that Hole
I know it’s been a minute since I last posted—okay, more like two months—but I’ve spent that time struggling to rediscover my writing groove. This happens every time I take a significant break. Whether I pause for a book launch, edits, research, life, or to simply ruminate on what I might like to write next, regaining my momentum can take time—more time than I usually want to give. It can also create massive mood swings that are based entirely on my ability—or inability—to put words on a page.
When I’m writing regularly and meeting a weekly goal, these unproductive days are easier to bear. I can take a break or switch focus and do something else without feeling like I should give up and crawl into a hole. When I’m already out of practice and beginning a new book, those hard days feel like they won’t ever end.
What helps?
As I’ve shared before, exercise of any kind relieves the stress, releases feel-good endorphins, and gives my mind an opportunity to meander, organize, and create.
Interacting with other writers—as I did last month at Bouchercon in New Orleans and again this past weekend in Sacramento as a guest speaker for Capitol Crime’s Criminally Good Writers Conference—connects me to community and provides an opportunity to learn and give back.
Reading and listening to audiobooks pause the self-defeating noise in my head and allows me to find solace in someone else’s fictional world. It’s more than comfort and escapism. Since I also read critically, I’m inspired by the craft. I think…
“All authors struggle through creatively challenging times, yet this author managed to push through those obstacles and write a damn fine book!”
After all, highs and lows are a natural part of a professional author’s life, which goes deeper than the glitz and sparkle of book launches, conferences, and awards. We struggle with our doubts and burn through endless strategies that will trigger our creativity, focus our attention, and keep us in our seats long enough to finish the job we are contracted to do.
We moan and rejoice.
We soar with confidence and wallow in despair.
We remind ourselves that we and others have done this before.
But mostly, through it all, we persist.
And if we are fortunate, we are rewarded with a wonderfully satisfying book—which, oddly enough, can become a distraction of its own. In fact, right now, one of my biggest obstacles in regaining my writing momentum for my current work in progress is the editorial and book cover design process for my next soon-to-be-published book.
I’ll be posting the cover reveal for HAWAI‘I RAGE very soon!
Although I truly adore this stage of publishing, all the pauses and restarts definitely take me off track when I’m trying to create.
What helps restart momentum?
Putting my eyes on my manuscript and my fingers on the keys!
(I would have said keeping my butt in the chair, but I often write standing or kneeling on the floor!)
Finding a New Favorite Author:
I often choose my titles based on the genre or theme I want in my head, which is especially helpful if I’m trying something new. Or sometimes, I’ll reverse that and seek out entertainment is completely different than what I’m creating, like a memoir, science fiction, or fantasy. Either way, I have a knack for choosing what will serve me the most at that time.
Like reading a new-to-me author who inspires, entertains, and challenges me to write!
At this moment, that author is Taylor Jenkins Reid. I began by listening to her most recent blockbuster, then followed it up with four of her backlist books. Here they are in the order I happened to enjoy:
ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, Jula Whelan, and Taylor Jenkins Reid
MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid
CARRIE SOTO IS BACK by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Stacy Gonzalez and a full cast
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles
And I’m currently listening to DAISY JONES & THE SIX, also by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Pablo Schreiber.
Incidentally, I almost never read and/or listen to the same author back to back, but something about reading this author at this moment is exactly what I need.
More Marvelous Books:
DEATH ROW by Freida McFadden, narrated by Lauryn Allman
LAST SEEN by J.T. Ellison
BEAUTIFUL UGLY by Alice Feeney, narrated by Richard Armitage and Tuppence Middleton
THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan, narrated by Catharine Ho
THE COUPLE IN 5B by Lisa Unger
THE FOURTH DAUGHTER by Lyn Liao Butler
A LOVELY LIE by Jaime Lynn Hendricks, narrated by Hillary Huber
THE GREAT MANN by Kyra Davis Lurie, narrated by Ian Hackney
A Hui Hou!
Happy reading, my friends. I’ll be back very soon to reveal the beautiful and intriguing cover for Ranger Makalani Pahukula’s next adventure, HAWAI‘I RAGE!
Until then, may your days be happy, creative, and productive. The moment I publish this post, I’m going to dive back into my work. May we all find the momentum to pursue and complete what we enjoy!
Aloha,
Tori 🌺
Your note about listening to audiobooks struck a note with me. I started listening to books during pandemic and now also use it when I need a different perspective. I've found that I experience a story structure much differently by listening and that sparks ideas.
Just so you know your Lily Wong books have inspired me to drink more different kinds of tea, eat more Chinese food, seeking out new restaurants in San Diego and elsewhere, read more books about Shanghai and Hong Kong and read more Asian authors! So now we’re planning a trip to Japan! ! Your books have been a wonderful bridge to cultures I thought I knew something about.., but was really naive about!