Creativity doesn’t care how long it takes

There was an interesting conversation thread following me around over the past few weeks. The idea was brought up that time can be “wasted” by not doing the right thing or not spending your time wisely. On the contrary, it was also brought up that it is never too late. Love happens to 80-year-olds, career changes happen at any stage, and books are published when people are anywhere in their lives.

If you feel like you are wasting time, change what you are doing. If you are happy with what you are doing, and other people are saying you are wasting your time simply because it goes against the norm and not because you’re hurting yourself or others…then keep going.

I often feel the pressure on my writing that I’m running out of time. I see other people publishing their books, getting deals for new ones, or simply announcing new and exciting projects. It’s hard not to feel like I’ve been stuck working on the same project for years.

I have been working on the same project for 2 years, and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also the first project to make it through several drafts and almost through a rather successful revision.

I recently hit 30,000 words on my revisions. That’s almost 40% through the book! I need to remember to celebrate every milestone.

Maybe starting on the new projects, getting them planned, and through “draft zero” will help me feel better about taking my time with the revisions on this one project. I’m ready to try anything at this point, rather than sit and feel sorry about myself for taking so long. I know I want to take my time with this revision. I know that’s what is making it so much better. But my goodness, it’s really hard not to feel envious of other people’s progress sometimes.

I’m getting back to focusing on myself, what I want, and where I’m at in my journey. I am not wasting time by going slowly.

Happy Writing!

Rachel