by Rachel D. Russell, @RDRussellWrites

When it comes to the mental game of writing, I’m most certainly my worst critic. I think a lot of writers can relate to that. The uncertainty. The fear. The imposter syndrome.

It slows my progress and causes me to overthink. Every. Single. Word. I. Write.

I’m in the early stages of my next novel and, once again, those sayings that play on repeat in my head are echoing. Telling me I’m not good enough. That I have exactly zero good ideas. That I’m a fraud.

I’ve been reading a book called Soundtracks by Jon Acuff and it’s got me thinking about those thoughts. In fact, the entire book is about the things we say to ourselves as we overthink.

So, this time, I’m challenging those negative mental statements. Practicing how to shut them down. I would never say those things to any other author. Not even one whose books I don’t particularly like.

So, why do I say them to myself?

These are lies and it’s time to challenge them. To rewrite the stories I tell myself. To show myself the same courtesy, grace, and love that I extend to others.

Instead of facing the blank page with I don’t have any good ideas, I’m telling myself, “Ideas are everywhere and God has a story for me to write.”
Instead of telling myself Writing is harder for me than others, I’m telling myself, “I’ve already done this before. With God’s help, I can do it again.”

Instead of criticizing the words as I write them with This is the worst thing ever written, I say, “I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”

Instead of seeing all the red on a manuscript and saying, My editor hated my manuscript, I’m saying, “These are opportunities to deepen my story and my craft.”

And my new favorite? Instead of I’m an imposter, I’m going with, “I’m learning and growing with each novel I write.”

The catch? I can’t replace old lies with hyperbole or lies with a positive spin. 

I didn’t say “I’m the best writer ever.” That would be just as much of a lie as I’m an imposter.

I said, “I’m learning and growing with each novel I write.”

Lies must be replaced by truth. The result? 

I feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally. My stress hormones are lower. And my writing? Well, I’m not cranking out twenty-thousand words in a day yet—but I’m making progress. 

What lies and negative sound bites do you allow your mind to repeat over and over? What new, encouraging truths can you replace them with?

 

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Still the One

Cole Barrett, former Army Ranger, has a new mission objective. Sell his grandfather’s house and put Deep Haven in his rearview mirror as fast as possible. Deep Haven holds the hurts of physical abuse at the hands of his grandfather, a man now in a memory care facility with dementia. Recently divorced, single, and unattached, Cole just wants a new life as a US Marshal. One where he can forget the past and start new.

Unfortunately, there’s a tenant in the garage apartment who’s refusing to move. Even worse? It’s his childhood crush, Megan Carter, and her son.

She’s waited years for her first love to return.

Wedding planner and single mom Megan Carter is no stranger to Deep Haven. To her, it’s the place where she makes dreams come true—at least, everyone else’s. Her big dream is to purchase the Black Spruce Bed & Breakfast to turn it into a premier event venue and, if she can stay booked for enough weddings over winter, she’ll have enough money to buy the inn, move out of Grandpa Barrett’s garage apartment, and finally give her nine-year-old son, Josh, the life he deserves. After using part of her intended down payment to cover his hockey fees, she’s behind on her Black Spruce funds and only has thirty days to come up with four thousand dollars.

Still, she’s oh, so close…until her childhood friend-slash-crush, Cole Barrett, returns to Deep Haven. Unfortunately, he’s not back to fulfill a silly childhood promise to return, but she never expected him to evict her! The last thing she needs is more expenses. Or for another man to walk into her heart…and break it.

Maybe it’s never too late to finish a love story…

When a blizzard strikes Deep Haven, and Megan is overrun with wedding catastrophes, it takes a former Ranger to step in and help. But the more he comes to her rescue, the sooner she’ll be able to move out…and he can move on.

And that’s what they both want, right?

Rachel D. Russell writes contemporary inspirational romance focused on forgiveness, redemption, and grace. She’s a member of Oregon Christian Writer and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy. Her two Deep Haven Collection novels with Sunrise Publishing will release in 2021. When Rachel’s not cantering her horse down the Oregon beaches, she’s probably interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent enjoying her active family, including two teens and three keyboard-hogging cats. You can catch up with her at RachelDRussell.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.