IWSG - What's Next? Release Hangover

It's the first Wednesday of March, which makes it time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG exists so writers can share their insecurities with each other and seek or give reassurance and advice. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list. Then hop around and visit some of your fellow insecure writers. Plus, be sure to visit this month's co-hosts.

The co-hosts this month are Janet Alcorn, Pat Garcia, Natalie Aguirre, and Shannon Lawrence! Hey, that's me!

The optional question for this month is: Have you ever been conflicted about writing a story or adding a scene to a story? How did you decide to write it or not?

I'm sure I've faced a few of these, considering the subject matter I've written in horror, but the example that comes to mind is from my fantasy novel that's in the works. I put a super steamy sex scene near the beginning of the book, but it's a mistake for the main character. There were reasons I put it there, but I consulted my critique group. While they were mixed on whether it should stay, I ultimately went with the naysayers and scrapped it, because I wasn't sure it was what the character needed right then. I did save the scene in a separate document, though, because it got great reactions. Someday it will likely be recycled.

My insecurity this month has to do with having finished the major push for my last book release. It was all I was doing for over a month, so once I finished with the bulk of it (of course, marketing goes on), I hit the release hangover. I'm struggling to pick up a new project with any relish. Part of that is that I'd planned to release a second book, a horror collection, this month, but I decided it was too soon and I'd burn myself out if I did it. Instead, that collection will wait until next March, though I'll likely put out a differently themed one before then, as well. 

So here I am, fussing around with a couple short stories, but having trouble deciding on my next big project so I can throw myself into it like I did my last release. It felt good to be in the flow with the writing, then the editing, then the release, then the marketing push. Now everything feels a bit inconsequential and scattered. It's always a weird place to be. Next time I need to have a concrete plan that doesn't involve releasing another book practically back-to-back unless they're both completely ready and the launches for both are pre-planned adequately.

And, of course, I'm waiting for those reviews to roll in, but I have my first two, which is awesome! Craft books and nonfiction take me longer to read, so I expect that of my own NF title, as well, and have just been reminding myself of that when I checked and had no reviews yet. 

I was a guest at Damyanti Biswas' blog today, posting about Writing Short Stories; Benefits for Novelists.

I was also a guest on Myth & Magic, a fantasy podcast, which can be found at the following links:

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/y9ae6fyh

Google: https://tinyurl.com/ya7qhzz8

Okay, it's time for my submission roundup for February. In February, my stats were:

9 submissions

4 rejections

0 acceptances

1 withdrawal (it was a simultaneous submission, and I'd sold the story elsewhere at the end of January)

22 stories currently out on submission

I did a thank you to some of the wonderful folks who helped me get the word out about my new book for last week's post. If you're looking for some great new reads, please check out that post! Huge Thank You, Writer's Fun Zone, Read with Fey, & Free Horror Reading

There's always The Business of Short Stories if you're at all interested in writing and submitting short stories or in doing your own collections. You can click the link or go to my Publications tab for more availability options, including my Square storefront, where you can buy signed copies of any of my solo titles.

The Business of Short Stories
Now available online and in select bookstores

What are your insecurities? What project are you currently working on? Do you get a bit scattered and "hungover" after a book release? Have you ever debated a scene in your book or story? Are you submitting? What did your submissions look like for February? 

May you find your Muse.

*Blue swoosh, by OCAL, clker.com