When Inspiration Strikes, Listen!

I was in the middle of my first novel, "The Time of Your Life," when I had a dream.

An actual, sleeping dream.  I woke up so inspired, I knew I had to write the story.

So I took a break from "The Time of Your Life" to work on what would become "Carolina Rain." 

"Carolina Rain" was a short story.  A novella, I learned.  I did it all -- from typing the first character on my laptop to hitting the "publish" button -- in less than two weeks. 

I LOVED working on it.  I woke up excited each day to "spend the day" with Carolina and Danielle.  And when it was finished, I was genuinely sad. 

It actually felt good to take a break from my other novel.  It was during this time that I learned a lot of writers (at least novelists) do this.  They have multiple books going on at one time. 

The key is to take action when inspiration strikes! 

We never know where our next idea will come from, or when.  So give yourself permission to do something about it when it comes to you. 

Whether that's just writing down your thoughts so you can come back to them when you have more time, or actually doing the work right then and there. 

I advocate for the latter, as much as possible.  I believe inspiration, or passion, is our heart and our spirit talking to us.  It's a clue for a direction we should take. 

So respect that little voice.  Listen to those flashes of inspiration.  Whatever they are.  

Anyway, "Carolina Rain" was the first written work I've actually sold.  When the first person bought a copy (it's available as an e-book), I was ecstatic. 

"Carolina Rain" has had pretty much the same success as "The Time of Your Life."  Some copies were bought.  I received some nice compliments on it.  But that's it. 

Granted, the lack of sales could be due, at least in part, to my lack of marketing. 

That is something else I had no clue about when I first started writing.  There are a LOT of books out there.  It's difficult to get yours to be seen, let alone convince people to spend money to buy it! 

Difficult, but not impossible!  That's what kept me going. 

I was LOVING my new life as a writer.  I love working for myself.  Doing the work I want to do, when and how I want to do it.

I realize that makes me sound like a spoiled brat.  So be it.

I don't like working for someone else.  That became glaringly obvious with each additional "job" I had. 

I believe some people are cut out to be writers (or any other freelance career), and others are better suited to being an employee.  Though I tried to ignore it for a long time, I know which of those types of people I am. 

But back on topic... When a new and exciting idea hits you, take action!  You won't regret it.  It may not work out exactly as you thought it would, but it's true what they say:  You regret more of the things you didn't do than the things you did do. 

I'd certainly rather write a book, publish it, and have no one read it... than never take the chance and never know. 

Here's another one:  Do what you do FOR YOU.  For your Spirit.  For your heart.  For your greatest good.

If you're writing something because you think it's what you should be writing (or doing anything for that matter), chances are it won't work out and you won't be happy. 

Listen to your inner voice.  Your gut.  Your heart.  And most importantly, DO what it tells you!

Onward and upward....