All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
A blog about the topics of writing, Writers helping writers

Quitter’s Day

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At the end of each year, many people worldwide make resolutions. Some writers make a few, while others have a long list.

It varies on how many are successful or quit. I read the other day that there is a thing called Quitter Day, and it falls on the second Friday of January. It is when people have quit their resolutions. I admit I had a small chuckle at that.

But my mind went to my writing. Are there writers that have resolutions when it comes to their writing?

Do they make a long list or a short one? One resolution that always makes my list is to write more.

Over the years, the list has included a variety of goals that have included writing more, enrolling in a writing course, and attending my writer’s group to promote my written works.

I have been successful with a few in the years that have gone by.

Writing gives me joy in a way that is hard to express to someone who does not write. Writers understand, even if they can’t adequately describe it to anyone, including me. That is one reason it is on my list.

Whether you make resolutions or not for life or your writing, I wish you the best of 2025. May it be full of love, joy, and laughter.

A blog about the topics of writing, Working on your writing craft

Procrastination: How Many Authors Struggle with It?

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I often found myself saying I would write a blog post next week. However, when I looked at my website, I realized it had been longer than a week—no, it had been months since my last update. Has it been too long?

Is procrastination beneficial for authors? Are there both pros and cons?

The answer is no when promoting your brand on social media,

You are only as good as your last buzz in our fast-paced environment.

It doesn’t take long for people to move on to other topics or personalities, and I can be just as guilty of doing this. Maintaining an active presence on your platform is essential to being an author.

When I get stuck on a particular project, rather than banging my head against the wall, I shift my focus to another project. Many writers juggle multiple projects at various stages of completion.

I’ve noticed that when I procrastinate on one project and revisit it later, new ideas often emerge to help me overcome the hurdles I faced earlier.

That said, I tend to feel a twinge of guilt when I procrastinate. I feel like I’m not putting enough time into my craft.

While not all procrastination is detrimental, it’s also not always beneficial.

However, as long as I am engaged in some way, I try not to beat myself up too much about it.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing ways

Getting a review for your book isn’t easy: Unless you want to compromise

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Keeping company with like-minded individuals can be an enlightening and enriching experience. It’s wise to connect with others to gain valuable insights. I hope to retain the numerous tips and information one can acquire through such interactions.

Recently, I learned a valuable lesson about editing and finding an editor from a gathering. A friend mentioned that she was currently seeking editors and had found someone willing to review her work in exchange for a review of their book. I was eager to jump on board immediately.

However, I’ve previously encountered situations where authors expected me to write their reviews first, with the promise of reciprocating. It felt like a dilemma as I’d have to compromise and give a positive review to receive one.

Obtaining honest book reviews without compromising integrity poses a real challenge for authors. It’s an arduous journey, especially for those who aren’t well-known like Stephen King or James Patterson.

I’ve offered free books in exchange for reviews, only to find that the reviews never materialized. As a result, I’ve ceased this practice. While asking friends or family members for reviews can help boost the review count on platforms like Amazon, it can also become time-consuming and frustrating for both parties.

Trying to promote yourself and your book can be an exhausting and time-consuming process. I’ve noticed numerous books online with very few or no reviews. Navigating this landscape can be tiring. But it’s an integral part of being an author.