the craft. you can't rush the work.

I saw a post somewhere on social media that said, “Don’t let the internet rush you.” [Insert praise break here.] It’s such a simple reminder, but I too have been a victim of allowing the internet to make me think that I should be moving faster than I am in various different avenues.

For instance, in my mind, my second book needs to be sold already. The fact that I am still drafting and going through my process has me thinking that somehow I’m behind because other writers are promoting their current, drafting their next, and selling another all at once. But I have lived long enough to know that there are so many variables in people’s lives that make that possible. So although the thoughts still come, I appreciate that they’re a lot more short lived these days. I don’t actually have the time to be worried about what other folks are up to. But it did make me think about process and how writing is just that. A process, which means it takes time.

We hear often that we have to fall in love with the process and it may sound cliché but it’s true. Honestly, I love writing. I love coming up with ideas. I love seeing them take shape. I love when I have no idea what I’ve written or if it’s good but when I come back to it, I feel like “you did that!” The honest truth is that the more we fall in love with the process, the result will always come. It’s science.

Right now, things are picking up for promo on my debut. June will be here faster than we know. So, there’s a lot of scheduling happening right now, and looking at campaigns, etc. Now, I have a draft of a sequel to my debut, but that’s a waiting game in itself. But sequels are tricky and most people honestly steer you away from them. Each book can and should stand alone, but there was such an easy part two, in my mind, to my debut that while I was waiting for other things to happen with it, I just wrote it. Having it see the light of day, however, is a waiting game. I was waiting to finalize the first book so I could make updates to the story where needed in the second. I'm also waiting to see how the first book does because if it flops, guess what? No one is going to give a damn about a sequel.

Then, there is this new work in progress. I’m close to 50k words into it. With that, I’m on a bit of a pause. Sometimes you have to take time away from the work and there’s no rushing that. I’ve been plowing away at it since NaNoWriMo but there are some other things I need to explore in my mind before sitting back down to write. I also hope to spend some time in New Orleans where my character is from to glean some of the feeling from the location to pour into the work. I’ve been to Nola a few times, but when you are immersed in a culture and can take some time to write, describe it, and feel the energy, well that is unmatched.

Occasionally, you’ll need to take breaks. Writing isn’t always the linear process I’m sure most of us hope it can be at times. Getting a break and then coming back to your work with fresh eyes is crucial. At a virtual event I attended, a writer said she takes a year away from her work after completing a draft. That may be a bit drastic, but I will say that with both books and articles, I have taken a beat to help clear my mind and come back to the work with stronger ideas on how to improve it.

In my breaks from the page, I also read. Sometimes other writers don’t like to read in their genre when they’re writing, but I do. I like to get a feel for things like pacing and storytelling in the particular genre. I like reading a comp title or two. I don’t think it impacts my story, but it definitely helps me understand how my work sits in the market. For instance, my debut is categorized as romance. But you know what I immediately noticed reading other romance novels? There is so much more sex than in my book. Now it didn’t make me go and add sex scenes to my story. But it one, helped me to realize that I will push harder for the Women’s Fiction title next time I write something similar. And two, that could be a critique from readers that are used to everyone ripping each other’s clothes off on sight. I’ll know that it’s not an indictment on my work, but more so noting that my story is a little different in that way and that’s OKAY! We should be innovating shouldn’t we?

I know so many of us feel like Issa’s character on “Insecure,” can we just fast forward to the good part? But what I’ve talked about in those two projects doesn’t even include the 10+ years I’ve been writing for public consumption. I couldn’t skip ahead. I had to count all of that as practice for being able to pitch a major publication. For writing this newsletter comfortably every week. And definitely for embarking upon writing a whole book.

Let’s not even talk about this whole 40+ hours a week I spend in my role as a director to feed myself while I pursue this writing dream of mine. There is a constant battle about how much more writing I could get done if that was my sole focus. But a modest debut advance in four installments ain’t cutting it for living in California.

All these parts of the process and life in general may not allow you to plow out a book every six months or every year and that’s okay. We’re not in a rush. We hold onto the mantra “take your time, but don’t waste it.” As long as you are making strides toward the goal, whether it’s just consistently blogging, or journaling daily, or pitching pubs, you are going to get there. God willing, I’m hoping to build a career here. Much like I feel extremely confident in my work within the music industry, it’s because I literally worked my way up from an assistant. I know the ins and outs. And I’m doing the same with writing. Learning more every day, challenging myself to be my best, and doing the work. Doing the work takes time.

Writing/Job Opportunities

In These Times Mag is accepting pitches for the Culture section. They are looking for essays, short stories, photo essays & graphic literature that explores & interrogates the ways race, gender, sexuality &/or disabilities intersect with class & politics. Submit to submissions@inthesetimes.com with CULTURE PITCH in the subject line. ($250-$800)

Mic is hiring a part-time staff writer for their Lifestyle team. They cover identity (race + gender), health, food, and career content. Send questions, resumés, and pertinent clips to jobs@mic.com.

Fortune Magazine is hiring two (2) fellows for their Spring Leadership Writer Fellowship March to June 2022. (Deadline Feb. 18)

Blue Stoop is hiring a part-time Co-Director of Development

A Novel Idea is hiring 1-2 part-time employees passionate about books and community. Send resume and cover letter to resumes@anovelideaphilly.com.

Pantheon Books is hiring an Assistant Editor.

Rolling Stone is hiring an Entertainment Investigations Report.

Penguin Random House is hiring a Multicultural Marketing Manager.

Harper’s Magazine is hiring an Assistant Editor. (40k)

Mashable is hiring a Tech Editor.

Defector Media is hiring a Staff Writer. (58.5K)