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I forged ahead writing my first two novels under contract with a gripping realization.
I had squandered my pre-contract writing time—my life when I thought of myself as a would-be writer.
I’d given it away to stiving, perfectionism, and hand-wringing hopefulness at my keyboard like some kind of Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning. Simply took that time and generously gave it to the needy hands of my own longing.
Now, those aren’t altogether terrible actions, right? I mean, we want to have goals. Improve. Hope.
Except, unlike Scrooge, my grand giveaway didn’t come from a place of epiphany. It came from insecurity. My actions came at the expense of quiet listening, growing, creating, usurping my opportunity to swim in a wide ocean of ideas.
Have you ever done that? Channeled yourself into a narrow, rigorous, task-oriented writing life that absolves itself of sacred rest and the liberty of making mistakes?
Writing under deadline is stressful. Maybe I’m unique in feeling that way, but from my conversations with other writers, it seems to be a general consensus. That stress has a time and place in our lives, but I wish I would have saved it for the time I’m
actually writing under contract instead of living it during my pre-contract writing life and letting it rule my schedule.
If you’re struggling with the striving, perfectionism, and hopeful hand-wringing, here are the three pieces of advice I’d give to my pre-contract self:
1.) Write with wild, creative abandon. Don’t self-edit as you lay your story down. Don’t worry about getting it “right” the first time—or even the second time. You don’t owe anyone anything with your writing.
2.) Write with joy and gratitude. Honestly, I hope that this holds over even after you have a contract. Trust that if God has called you to write, He has a plan for you. Waiting is hard, but know that your time of waiting can be rewarding and spiritually fruitful.
3.) Train the habit. Have a time each day you write. This creates the brain muscle-memory you’ll rely on when you are writing under a deadline. Creating a block of time you program yourself to write will free up your mind to “clock out” of writing time and be fully present with your family, day job, etc., when you’re not at your keyboard.
Maybe you’re still waiting for that first contract, or, maybe you’re between contracts. Shape this time in the margins as an opportunity to free up your mental space and be spontaneously creative.
What writing advice would you give your past self?
Then Came You
He’s in Deep Haven to relax.
Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb.
But then he meets Vivien.
Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.
Of course, she’s in trouble.
Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type—vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side—even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.
So much for relaxing.
Rachel D. Russell writes contemporary inspirational romance focused on forgiveness, redemption, and grace. She’s a member of Oregon Christian Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and My Book Therapy’s Novel Academy. Her debut novel, Still the One, released in January 2021. Her second novel, Then Came You, released in July 2021. Both novels are part of the Deep Haven Collection with Sunrise Publishing. 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.