New Contemporary Romance Writer: Finding My Passion

I’ve been writing for quite a few years now.

However, in the last 18 months I’ve found the type of writing I’m passionate about.

It is scary and amazing at the same time.

When I first started writing, it was part-time since I worked a full-time job.

I looked around and found copywriting and thought it would be a good fit.

There were landing pages, product reviews, white papers, emails, content, etc.

I would try one and then another until I was overwhelmed and couldn’t focus.

I decided copywriting wasn’t for me.

So, I looked for something else, and I found Fearless Freelance Writing.

I could write personal experience stories and submit to different publications.

But the constant queries, pitches and tasks stressed me out.

I made excuse after excuse.

Procrastination and guilt made me worried and anxious.

I decided this type of writing was not for me either.

Then came the doubts:

• Was I cut out to be a writer?
• What does it take to stay focused?
• Why were others so far ahead of me?

My next opportunity came during a writer’s group I am part of called Monday Morning Manifesters.

We meet each week and hold each other accountable.

I was writing personal experience stories sporadically and posting them on my blog.

The came a monthly challenge to write a book in a month.

Yes, one month.

I’ve always wanted to write a book, but I didn’t think it would be possible, especially in this short timeframe.

And I haven’t ever written a book.

It was daunting at first but with encouragement from my writer’s group and my coach, I completed my first rough draft of a contemporary romance novel.

It was messy.

It was challenging.

It took me longer than a month because of the learning curve.

• Create character sheets
• Outline the story
• Develop the arc of the story
• Build conflict
• Etc.

Whew!

There were things I had to relearn or tweak after 32 years of business writing.

• The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect, just get the words on the page
• Don’t edit when writing–editing is its own task
• Focus on one thing at a time
• Accountability and consistency–keep showing up

You need to find tools and processes to help you work smarter and not harder. Here are a few of mine:

• I try to keep my desk organized so it doesn’t clutter my creative process
• I use an editorial calendar for my blog posts to stay on track
• I put together a simple project binder to keep my stuff organized
• I write in Microsoft Word since it is familiar to me

Since we started that first challenge of writing a book in a month, I have come further along in my writing than ever before.

• I am about to have my first book edited
• I am a quarter of the way through the first draft of my second book
• I am working toward a 3-book series that will be self-published (something else I will learn)
• I am continuing to publish weekly blog posts

But most of all, I am enjoying the process and having fun!

That doesn’t mean that some days aren’t harder than others.

Then I realized I had found my writing passion.

With that passion, I have 3 focus words that I keep on my desk. Consistency, accountability, and visibility.

What is your passion? Do you have focus words? I would love to hear from you.