I hesitated to make this post because I like to keep my personal life personal, but it’s become apparent to me that my personal life is going to impact my writing. To keep it brief, I’ve been dealing with health issues on and off since August that has forced me to cut back on my pace for writing. It’s not serious, but it has disrupted my life to the point where I have to make adjustments.
Slowing down the writing
The first adjustment I made was lowering my word count goals. I used to write 3,000 words a day 5 days a week. My goal is now to write 1,500 words a day 3-4 days a week. After experimenting with this new goal for the past month, I’m happy to say that it’s working. I love writing. It gives me something to look forward to. Unless I’m truly at the end, I can’t see giving up the writing.
Stuff to give up
But there are some things I do have to give up. Audiobooks has to go. It’s a shame because it was fun, and my assistant and I worked through a few chapters in two different books, but it is what it is. Those will just have to go into the “put aside” folder. I also had to let my assistant go. I spent more time training him than I did in working, and while I’m sure that would have been okay if I gave this setup a year, I don’t have the energy required to keep it up. Writing is the top priority. I’d rather write new books than make audiobooks or have an assistant.
One thing I will add
The one thing I have added, however, is Radish. This is a new retailer for me, but it’s one I believe is worth pursuing. Plus, I can go at my own pace, and I’m just uploading books I’ve already published. Very low energy needed. If D2D were to start distributing to serialized fiction apps, I’d be more than happy to look into other serialized fiction sites, too. (D2D acquired Smashwords. My books will still be on the Smashwords store, but I’m not an all-in D2D author.)
No changes to some things
Thankfully, I never did a lot with marketing outside of this blog post, tweaking my website from time to time, and running the occasional ad. So I can keep up with this stuff. Years ago, I decided not to go into Amazon, Facebook, or Bookbub ads because those require authors to track and update keywords on all the time. That turned out to be the best decision I ever made because if I had to rely on that kind of marketing, I’d be up a creek without a paddle right now. Some authors rely on those ads for their livelihood. If you’re a writer who is reading this, my advice (for what it’s worth) is to focus on building your brand. Write your books, make some free so people have a risk-free chance to try you out, and spread your net wide because you never know when something will take off.
Pre-orders will be set up closer to the release dates
I am having to change the way I do pre-orders in the future. In the past, I could project up to a year out when I’d have a book ready, so I was able to effectively set pre-order dates. That’s no longer the case. I still want to do pre-orders because they give me time to get the blog post, links to the book in order, and the announcement ready for people on my email list. Instead of setting up a pre-order far out in advance, I’m not only going to put them up when the book is done.
As a side note: I only did the pre-orders long term on Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and Apple because those places made it easy to do them without the book already being finished. With Amazon, there have been glitches in the system where some authors didn’t have the final book go live on release day. Instead, Amazon put the draft version up, and that caused a lot of headache for the author and the readers. I only put up the final version of my book on Amazon for pre-order to avoid this nightmare scenario. Google Play/Books wants the final file. So that’s why it took so long for pre-orders to go up on Amazon and Google. But with this new change in my life, the pre-orders will start going up at the same time everywhere.
Ruth Ann Nordin's Author Blog 
So sorry about what you are going thru.. I enjoy your Books very much. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into writing a book. Prayers go out for you.
Thank you, RaNae. š That’s very sweet of you.
I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling well and that you have to adjust your writing for it. I hope the new schedule works for you and you see improvement on a bunch of fronts.
Thank you, Rami. š Sometimes it’s hard not to push myself to write more, but I’m getting better at slowing things down. (I’ve always been a go-getter, so this has been a challenge.)
I bet.
Ruth,
I’m sorry to hear about your struggles. You are the first author I bought for my first Kindle (first). I have bought each & every one.
You are in my prayers.
In Christian Love & Hugs Kim
I’m honored that my book got to your Kindle first. Was it A Bride for Tom? I’m even more honored you’ve bought all of my books. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you. š
I am so very happy to find a few of your books now on audible. I was stationed with your husband at offutt AFB and enjoyed some of your early works. It is a lot easier for me to listen and enjoy your books.
I think I remember you. Was there a day when I was there at the Radiology area with a friend? I remember having to park across the hospital because of construction or something. All those years ago, it’s hard to remember the details, but I remember a lady with brown hair who was at the desk when I went there. I don’t even remember if I was there to see Tony or what or I was on my way through Radiology to do something else.
You and I went there together. I owed a person there some money since I gave them the wrong change at an event. I remember the brown-headed woman at the counter, and I believe I gave her an envelope to give to the lady. That’s what I remember. Hope your health revives with your less stress plan. God bless.
That’s right! I remember the reason we were there now. š
Dear Ruth, I’ve been slowing down for the past twenty-years. As the years pile on, we have to pace ourselves. Feel better dear friend and God’s Blessings. Never stop writing altogether. It’s what keeps our minds alert and our spirit fulfilled. All the best, your devoted fan, Dorothy Paula Freda
I’m glad you’re still writing. I agree. It does keep our minds alert and our spirits fulfilled. We need something that gives us a purpose. The pacing thing is something I have to learn. I’m not very good at it. š
Sorry to hear about your health challenges, but glad it’s nothing so serious that you have to stop writing!! Prayers for you!
Thanks, Joleene. š I’m learning that when I start to get tired, I need to stop. I used to push through it, but that no longer works. I appreciate the prayers.
Feel better and take care of yourself. Best gift we can give ourselves.
Thanks, Erica. I agree. That is the best gift we can give ourselves.