Erin Radniecki • Book Coach

Category: Writing Life

Posts about being a writer in today’s world.

  • Writing Through Resistance

    Writing Through Resistance

    I’ve been sitting here at my computer for a while, feeling resistant to writing anything. So, I thought I’d write a blog post about feeling resistant to writing! 

    I’m sure you’ve experienced resistance to writing at some point, too. When you sit down to write, fully intending to make progress, only to find your brain would rather do anything else. 

    Personally, as I’ve been sitting here trying to get started, it seemed like the perfect time to open Google translate and see how much of my college French I’ve retained. (Answer: not a lot, but more than I expected!)

    Why can it be so difficult to actually sit down and write?

    You want to make progress. You want to finish your book. And yet, when the opportunity arises, you suddenly find countless tasks that need to take priority. You’re easily distracted, jumping up for a drink of water, a sweater, to adjust the lighting, and so on.

    There are a couple things making it hard to write in this situation.

    First, the task that you are undertaking is a creative one, and creative tasks take a lot of brain power.

    Your brain is actually reluctant to take on activities that use large amounts of energy. It sees its primary job as keeping you alive, and expending energy on non-essential functions is not very efficient.

    So your brain would much rather direct you to consuming something safe that someone else has created. Like online cat videos.

    The second factor that makes beginning difficult, is that you’re fighting against inertia.

    Think of a train at rest at a station. When it’s time to move it takes a lot of effort to get rolling. But once it is going, the momentum carries it forward.

    The initial movement is difficult and takes a lot of energy, but things roll on smoothly afterward.

    So, how do you push back against inertia and your brain trying to keep you safe, so that you can write your dang book?

    Trick your brain

    In order to circumvent your brain’s “helpful” impulse to protect you, challenge yourself to write as badly as possible. 

    Think about it: when you sit down to write, you’re usually trying to write well. You’re trying to do your best and translate your ideas onto the page in compelling, descriptive prose.

    That pressure can make your brain freeze up. 

    Instead, remove that pressure, and tell yourself you are going to write terribly. Cheer yourself on as you go: 

    “Oh that’s awful!” 

    “So boring!” 

    “What drivel” 

    “You can do worse than that!” 

    If your brain is telling you that you can’t write well, then agree with it and write anyway!

    The size of the goal matters

    My go-to approach to tackle inertia is to set a very small writing goal: just 100 words. 

    When I’m feeling resistant to writing, I tell myself I just have to write 100 words, and then I can stop.

    That’s about one long paragraph. It’s such a small goal that it’s hard to argue I can’t do it.

    It’s as though I were staring down a huge weedy flower bed, but my job was only to pull one weed. It would be hard to say no to such a small request. But I would find it impossible to pull just one. (After all, I’ve put on my gardening gloves and have my trowel and bucket, I might as well dig a few…)

    And once I’ve written 100 words, I’m usually ready to keep going. I got the train rolling, and I’ve picked up momentum. 

    Acknowledgement, not excuses

    What these two approaches have in common is that they acknowledge how you’re feeling, and they reduce the expectation of productivity, but they don’t let you off the hook completely.

    Because the writing does need to happen.

    We can’t always wait until we’re burning with inspiration and momentum to write, or the book will never get written.

    When I use the 100 word trick, I typically end up with about 800 words. That’s not a lot, but it’s a lot more than I would have had if I let resistance win. And you can absolutely write a first draft in 800 word increments!

    It’s a fact: resistance is going to happen. It might show up occasionally, or every time you sit down to write. But you can’t let resistance run the show and still reach your writing goals.

  • Should You Worry If Your Novel Has a Twin?

    Should You Worry If Your Novel Has a Twin?

    I just finished reading a novel that had some strong similarities to the book that I’m writing – and I’m not mad about it. 

    If you’ve ever had the experience of coming across a published book that resembles your work in progress (WIP), you may have thought something along the lines of, “Ugh, someone else wrote my book and did it better than me! Now I have to start over with a new idea.”

    Step away from the delete key, because I’m here to tell you you don’t need to bail on your book when you discover your WIP has a doppelgänger.

    While at first it may seem that finding a book similar to what you’re writing is a problem, it’s really not the end of the world. 

    You may worry that there isn’t room in the publishing industry for books that are alike, that your idea isn’t original enough, or that you won’t be able to write a book of equivalent quality. Just the knowledge that a book like yours exists in the world can be disheartening, maybe even to the point that you want to give up on your story.

    Let’s take a moment and acknowledge that there are millions of creative people working on novels, screenplays, poetry, music, and art at any given moment. And it’s reasonable to assume that more than one person will find inspiration in a given topic or premise at the same time. 

    There’s actually a name for it when it happens with movies: twin films. (Anyone remember when Antz and A Bug’s Life both came out in 1998?)

    But just like twin films, which have no problem coexisting in the theaters, similar books can absolutely coexist on the bookshelf.

    In fact, here are three reasons it’s actually a good thing to find a novel similar to yours. 

    A Helpful Opportunity

    First, you have a chance to evaluate the book and note what you liked about it, and what didn’t work for you. Ask yourself how your book is different and unique to you. 

    Even though you may be worried these books are twins, if you look closely there will be big differences. They may have similar elements – maybe they are both mythology retellings, or they each have a Deaf protagonist – but it’s unlikely that they are completely alike. Stick with this exercise until you move beyond the panic and are able to compare and contrast the books with a clear head.

    It’s Market Research

    Second, finding a book similar to your WIP proves there is an audience for what you’re writing. People often have particular genres or tropes they like to read, so when they’ve finished a book they loved they’re desperately looking for another book with the same vibes. Knowing there’s a market for books like yours can give you the confidence to keep writing when things get tough.   

    Preparing for Publication

    Third, if you plan on pursuing traditional publishing, you’ll need to be able to name two to four comparative (comp) titles in your pitch materials. 

    A comp title is a published book that is similar to your book and would appeal to the same readers. And if you’ve found a book similar to yours, you now have a new comp title. Even if you’re not thinking about publishing, having a few comp titles in mind makes it easier to tell people what your book is about. 

    Now, back to my WIP and its doppelgänger.

    Did I have any panicked thoughts as I read this new-to-me book? Did I worry that all my efforts had been wasted because another author beat me to the bookshelf?

    Honestly, no. 

    I loved the book, I enjoyed reading it, and it motivated me to keep working on my novel. 

    You read that right: it motivated me to keep writing! 

    Holding a real life example of a book that could sit next to mine in a bookstore or library was exciting. It helped me picture what my book would look like, and what the reading experience would be like for my audience. It also helped me identify areas where I want to level-up my writing.

    Finding a novel similar to your WIP certainly has the potential to send you into a panic spiral. But before you freak out, take a breath and do a reality check. Novels are incredibly complex forms of writing, and each one is created by a unique author who brings their own voice and inspiration. 

    You can write the book you’re dreaming of, and even if you find its doppelgänger, you can be confident that your novel will be unique to you.

  • How Many Books Should You Write at One Time?

    How Many Books Should You Write at One Time?

    Fun fact: most writers have multiple book ideas floating around in their heads at any given moment.

    We’re creative beings, after all, and most of us like to play the “what if?” game.

    What if someone wakes up and discovers their life has moved forward 40 years overnight?
    What if someone reaches into their mailbox and gets bitten by a small monster? 
    What if someone uncovers a family secret that makes them rethink their whole childhood?

    Those three “what ifs” could be three completely different novels. And each idea is shiny, new, and chock full of possibilities.

    But what about your current book? If you start working on something new are you cheating on your work in progress (WIP)? If you pause to play around with a new idea, are you avoiding the hard work of finishing your current novel? Or is it all just a big creative playground and the more ideas the merrier?

    Truth #1 is there are no hard and fast rules here.
    You can certainly step away from your draft or manuscript and play around with a new project that has captured your imagination. Maybe you have two or three projects and you rotate through them, spending time on each one as your inspiration directs.

    Truth #2 is project hopping can absolutely be a form of procrastination.
    If you’ve reached a difficult phase of your writing project, your brain says “woah, this is getting hard, you’re spending a lot of energy on this, let’s find an easier path.” Suddenly you feel compelled to explore a brand new idea, and you are absolutely certain that this premise or this character are what you should be working on.

    So what should you do? Open the floodgates and let all the ideas frolic? Or have a strict one-novel-at-a-time policy?

    Your approach is going to be personal, but here are some tips to help you be thoughtful and deliberate about your choices. 

    Jot it down and tuck it away.

    It’s always a great idea to write down some notes about the things that inspire you. I mean, who hasn’t had a fabulous idea, only to lose it forever because you didn’t jot it down in the moment? Record those shiny ideas somewhere safe, and then see if that’s enough to help you focus on your primary project. If that doesn’t scratch the itch, you could consider spending more time on the new story idea.

    Identify what you’re avoiding. 

    Most of the time we chase new ideas because our current project has gotten hard. So ask yourself, what is it about my current WIP that am I avoiding? Another way to ask this is, if I could fix one problem I’m struggling with in this WIP, what would it be? Once you’ve identified the issue, decide if you want to tackle it, either on your own or with help, or if giving yourself some time away from the problem might help unlock a solution. 

    And if you do decide to give your current WIP some space, put a date on your calendar when you’ll check back in. You don’t want a little break to turn into a three month hiatus.

    Use it as a reward. 

    It’s valid to worry that new projects are just avoidance masquerading as brilliant ideas. If that’s a concern for you, make progress on your main book a prerequisite for playing with your new idea. Set reasonable goals for your primary novel, and after you meet a goal, reward yourself with playtime with your new idea.

    Create a schedule. 

    If you want to make regular progress on two or more projects, you might need to put on your project manager hat. Create a schedule that includes all of your projects and balances your time between them. Also schedule pockets of time where you get to choose in the moment which project your energy is directing you toward.

    Check in with your goals. 

    Multiple projects means slower progress, but that’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Ask yourself, if it takes me six months longer to complete Project A, am I okay with that? You might choose to prioritize fun and inspiration over speed.

    Be sure to factor in any deadlines that are looming. For example, if you want to pitch Project A at a writing conference, then that project has to be given priority, and Project B will likely have to wait. 

    If this topic is resonating deeply with you because you’ve been in this place before, or you’ve been stuck here for a while, this may not be a problem you can crack on your own. You’ve likely tried all the DIY fixes, and it’s time to get some help. 

    If that’s the case, it might be a good idea for us to have a conversation and put together a high level plan for you so you have a strategy to stay on track. You can book a free call here.

  • Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

    Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

    Years ago I spent a lot of time on my art-making hobby. I made 2D and 3D mixed media art in a spare bedroom that I referred to as my Studio. I never sold anything, but I did have pieces in a couple community shows.

    Let me tell you, there are a lot of supplies you can buy as an artist. Some of them are actual supplies, like paint, adhesives, cold press paper, and brayers. They are tools the artist uses to create their art.

    There are also “supplies.” Things like stencils, rubber stamps, and kits of all kinds. These always seemed to me like shortcuts to make art that would look like someone else’s art.

    I was sort of a purist. If I wanted to use a stencil, I would make the stencil. If I wanted to use fabric, I would typically alter it in some way. If I wanted to use a stamp, I would carve it, albeit badly.

    I wanted to make the elements mine, which in turn made the art I produced more mine. (I didn’t go as far as making my own paper, but there were days I considered it.)

    There’s been a lot of news about AI and writing since, well, ever since AI showed up on the scene.

    I’ve tried not to get too wound up about AI, one way or the other. I tend to lean more toward Luddite than early tech adopter, taking a measured approach and considering if the next big thing is really something to get excited about.

    But eventually I started to form an opinion about AI, and I can see that it connects directly back to my experience creating art:

    If I say I am a creator, then I should be the one creating.

    When I think about being a creator, I equate it with terms like craftsman, artisan, and maker. Someone who has spent time to master their craft. Someone who has applied themselves and developed a skill.

    That’s who I want to be, as a writer and a visual artist.

    I don’t care that using AI could allow me to do things faster or using less energy. (I’m talking about my own energy here, certainly not the energy used by AI.)

    When I write a book I want to know that I have worked hard to take an idea, cultivate it, shape it, and hone it into a unique, quality novel that has my fingerprints all over it.

    So when the questions fly regarding AI and writing, like…

    • Should writers use AI in their process?
    • Is it okay to use it for brainstorming?
    • What about for grammar and spell checking?
    • Could AI be used in place of a real live editor (or book coach)?

    …I’m not going to bother trying to answer them for other writers.

    But I do have a stance on how I will be using AI in my writing:

    I won’t be using it. And I want to work with other writers who choose not to use it either.

    I was in a meeting with Author Accelerator CEO Jennie Nash last month and she said (I’m paraphrasing) she believes the fundamental motivation to write a book, for most writers, is that you want to create something, not copy something.​

    I’m excited to engage with writers who want to create something and who are ready and willing to lean into the messy work of creating. Are you with me?