There’s always something.

Derek Siddoway
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

This post first appeared in the August 2017 Everyday Author email.

I had it on my head last week that I was going to write about pioneers and how we as indies are bravely blazing a trail for future generations.

But then the shit hit the fan.

You may be wondering why we didn’t have a July EA email — truth is I was spending all my available time and energy getting my latest fiction book out for release. More on that when I catch up on Bestseller Quest posts, though.

Aside from revising and preparing for launch, we’ve been baling and hauling hay, moving irrigation pipe and a myriad of other summer farm activities. In the past three weeks I’ve been down with a nasty stomach bug and, most recently a summer cold. I also volunteer on our county’s Search and Rescue team and spent the last six days in the High Uintas hiking my tail off.

Oh yeah, plus the 40 hours a week day job.

My apologies for the rant — we all have crazy busy lives. The point isn’t for you to feel sorry for me, the point is for all of us, there’s always something going on. And most likely always will be

We all dream of that magical day/week/month when we’ll just sit down and do this writing thing and have no interruptions or distractions. But those days/weeks/months don’t exist.

No matter what stage you are in your author career, there’s always going to be something.

It’s easy to feel hopeless, frustrated and stressed. As a community, indies have set the bar high. We are relentless. We push ourselves at a sometimes grueling pace. That doesn’t mean we’re superhumans.

In times like these, instead of “powering through” I instead fall back on my systems and schedules. I focus on discipline and order, not on making up lost time. I get the sleep I need and I try to keep this crazy train balanced on its tracks.

There’s always something.

No matter how organized or productive we are, sometimes life gets wild. Like feral alley cat with rabies wild. Hang on. Keep fighting the fight. We got this.

The Everyday Author

For authors who can’t quit their day jobs (yet)

Derek Siddoway

Written by

Author of medieval & frontier fantasy. Gentleman of fortune. Also founded @Undaunted_Books and @BookReview22. I’m just about that word count, boss.

The Everyday Author

For authors who can’t quit their day jobs (yet)

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