Hi everyone. This time around, I thought I’d write a little about how things have been, how I’m shaping my process, and where things are at in general. It includes a few highs and a few contemplations, so if process and my learning curve aren’t your thing, check back next time and I’ll try and make it more exciting! 😊
Still here? Fab! I’ll start by saying a big thank you again to anyone who has liked/shared posts, bought/read the book, written reviews, checked in with me etc. Those things all make a really big difference, and I am so very grateful.
To be honest, I’ve heard it said before that the people who ‘show up’ are not always the people you might have expected to. It’s not a bad thing at all (we all have things in life which impact the way we interact at different times), but I have experienced a little of this, and sometimes it’s been quite surprising. Some people who assured me (without me asking) in the build up to launch that they’d spread the word etc. have been completely silent. Others who I hadn’t expected to share anything, have been very proactive in supporting everything. Some people have just consistently supported the whole way.
Regardless of which group people fit into, I am grateful to them. Life can be hectic. Not everyone is a reader. Sometimes, other things just take priority. I do have a request though – if you’re someone who is hiding away because you haven’t read the book yet – please don’t worry. I’ve had some books on my TBR (to be read) pile for years! It’s just nice for you to show up in whatever capacity you can manage. I trust that we all do the best we know how to in any given circumstance.
My process
I am always surprised when someone tells me what a great job they think I’m doing or that they see things are going well. It’s not that I believe the opposite, but other than a flexible plan which I continuously develop, I am generally winging it a bit (and having fun along the way) while I discover what works. Behind the scenes, things are not always smooth, but that’s to be expected.
Before launch, I had a super-organised list of things to do. I imagined a post-launch phase where it would all go to plan. In that phase, I’d naturally be cracking on with book two right away. The truth is, there are things I wanted to be resolved months ago which are still lingering on, and, for me too, life has sometimes gotten in the way. So where are things at? I’ll break it down…
Expanded distribution
I had ‘Fyn Carter and the Agents of Eromlos’ set up and ready for me to click the button allowing for ‘expanded distribution’ early on in the process. For those who aren’t aware, for me, expanded distribution would mean the book is available for schools, libraries, and shops to order in, and that it’s available in more places than on Amazon. The problem is, different printers/distributors come with different ways of working. Some work better for my goals than others, and I’m having conversations to help me decide which work best for what I want to achieve. I think this is nearly sorted, and the hope is things will wrap up in the coming weeks (fingers crossed!).
Events and the people I meet
I’ve scheduled in a number of events across the rest of 2024 (see ‘Events’ tab) and am looking into 2025. Again, I’m aiming to learn which work best for me, but in actuality, I’m finding that regardless of the type of event or whether it’s seen as successful in terms of sales, the conversations and connections are always one of the best and most valuable parts. This leads me to another group of people in terms of supporters I am thankful for: People I have connected with since the launch, who have just been open, inviting, and part of a fantastic community that I am discovering is far bigger than I imagined.
There is a whole world of people out there who love being creative and supporting creativity (including but not limited to writers, artists, bloggers, influencers, event coordinators etc.). When we meet, we connect. I also love meeting the ‘gatekeepers’, i.e. parents/guardians, librarians, and educators. As a writer of children’s books, I understand that sometimes readers will be reliant on others to provide the books. I enjoy the conversations that come along the way. I think this is because the people that take the time to have a conversation have a noticeable passion about reading and/or their art, and that is something I can embrace, because it means so much to me too.
Admin
Crikey – there is always so much admin! This can include arranging all of the above and more. It can be social media updates, preparing content, running a promotion, attending meetings etc. Literally all sorts of things. In recent weeks I have found the admin can overtake the writing a bit (scratch that – a lot), and this is where I am trying to find balance. Admin can take so much mental focus that it can feel harder to find my creative mindset. I might get a bit burned out and find I am not using my time as well as I would like to. It’s not a complaint. Sometimes I’m tired. Sometimes when my mind is in ‘business mode’, it’s harder to switch to creative vibes. Sometimes it’s both. That said, I have faith it will become more manageable as I find my feet with it. When you enjoy what you do, it doesn’t really feel like work. Admin is just a part of that.
Shaping my process
At present, my process is to say to myself I will do writing activities for a minimum of five hours a day, five days a week. I’m lucky enough to have this time available, but I know it’s not always like that for everyone. I used to do a little here and there, and it worked. That’s how I wrote my first novel. With consistency it all adds up. Plus, it’s worth remembering, if you write something you’re not happy with – that’s fine! You can usually edit it later.
My goal is to condition myself so that I am consistent and get used to breaking the barrier when creativity doesn’t flow right away. I sort of look at it the same way as I used to look at running. Sometimes you might not feel like you want to go for a run at all. It can feel like a chore if you’re not used to it. However, if you have your running clothes ready, put them on, pop on your trainers, and get out the door, your mindset can change pretty quickly. It doesn’t matter if you sprint, lightly jog, walk, or mix it all up. It can just feel easier to accomplish once you’ve started.
With writing (and let’s be clear – I love writing), it can be the same. If you carve out the time, pick up your pen/load up your laptop, and make yourself do ten minutes – the flow often comes. My hope is the more I spend greater amounts of time on writing, the more used to it and efficient I will become, so I can find my focus more quickly. The other thing I am finding, is no matter how much the admin distracts me, if I spend five hours a day, five days a week on writing activities, I clear the admin pretty quickly, and the rest of the time is left for words. As a result, I’m catching up on my tasks, and book two is progressing! It also helps to try and do one thing at a time… I’m still working on that part!
I think this brings us to the end of this blog. I hope my ramblings have been of interest in some way! Over the coming months, I hope to share some exciting things. It’s just a little bit too soon at the moment!
Perhaps I’ll share a few hints…
- Fyn Carter 2 now has a title…
- I’m starting to look at a different type of event…
- There may be a giveaway coming…
- I’m having conversations about a different way of telling a story…
Thank you so much for reading and have a lovely summer!
Ian x
Ps – I’m now on TikTok – My ID there is @_ian_h_creates
Ian Hunter Creates 