[Abigail]

I have totally lost it, and the will to market. I worked really hard with Invisible tears, which is maybe why it rode in the top 100 Kindle books for a while. But, having been working hard on Cupboard Love and almost finished, and after Amazon messing about and ruining all my hard work, I feel really burnt out and seriously lacking in energy to market it a lot more. I took my horse away for the weekend, cantered on some beaches, did a cross country course and had a lot of ME time, I guess having that quality time has made me realise that I don't want to sit at a PC checking my figures all day every day, but what to do, I am addicted! Of course I want to be a successful writer and after selling 16 to 17 thousand copies of Invisible Tears I feel I have achieved that by my scales. But I do feel we need to remember that life goes on too. Moan over, back to kdp! 

 

[Doug Lance]

Take a good hard look at what you're spending your time on and don't do anything that is a waste of time.

 

[Mel Comley]

Abigail, I hear where you're coming from. The last couple of weeks I've allowed myself half a day off and really enjoyed the freedom, it does make you wonder if it's all worth it.

Plan a couple of hours off during your day, hopefully that will help your mojo return! 

 

[vekelly1]

I totally can relate. I'm pretty new to the scene and find myself constantly checking my numbers and trying to market. I have started a new book which I'm really liking by the way. More than anything I just want to be passionate about what I do. I've come a long way. I don't think I've taken the time to appreciate the accomplishment of my first novel regardless of how many I sell. I do understand what's like to get discourage and stuck in a rut and lose my mojo. Got to keep on going.

 

[jimbronyaur]

Yeah, we all hit those moments in life where we question everything.  Don't let it get you too far down - why?  Because you said in your post that you want to be a writer... and that's a good thing to hear and see... think about it - you write, try so hard, give it all you got, and then your book sells like crazy.  You've got what you wanted but then there's a terrible question - "what's next?"

You'll be just fine.  Ride the highs and hold on for the lows, right?


-jb

 

[Dr. Laurence Brown]

Watching sales and numbers is very addicting and sometimes it does help to take a breather and step back for a bit. That's usually how story ideas pop into my head! Sometimes a little break is all you need to get motivated again.

 

[Nell Gavin]

Take a good hard look at what you're spending your time on and don't do anything that is a waste of time.

I think housework is a poor use of my time. Just saying.

 

[MonkeyScribe]

You've had some fantastic success and now you've floated back to earth. Feeling a little down is understandable. It's okay to take some time off, like catching your breath after a run. After that, focus on the story, think about the writing and the craft and not the marketing and the sales.

Hang in there.

 

[Paul Clayton]

I lost my mojo for a while, but got her back.  I keep her locked up now.  Now my problem is... I lost my little red rooster.  If you see him, send him back to me.  I guess he worked too hard in the hen house and... now he want to be free.  

 When you turn off the PC, look around.  The world is a beautiful place, well, most of it.  And there are some nice people, things, etc., in it.  

Enjoy!

 

[Theresaragan]

Abigail, how great that you were at the top 100. I don't think all the marketing in the world can keep you there forever...but maybe it can!? It's a wild ride and all the up and downs is an emotional rollercoaster ride. So glad you got some ME time. I am jealous of the whole horse ride thing. What a great way to spend time away from work.

Writing the next book makes me feel happy and helps me forget about the whole numbers thing. Hope your mojo comes back real soon!

 

[MQ]

It's incredible what you have achieved with just one book.  Keep that in mind and you'll get your mojo back.

Every sale motivates me to keep writing.

 

[Tess St John]

I think life is a constant balancing act!  If writing is what you love...write. I've seen a lot of successful writers say the more books you have out, the more you'll sell. And if you sold that many copies of one book...just think what it will be with more books...even without the constant promo.

 

[RobynB]

Mojo mishaps happen...I feel for you...but hang in there...you haven't sold that many books for no reason! Keep at it...but I agree with modwitch...reduce the time spent checking sales...it's liberating.

 

[SArthurMartin]

Tell you what, I'll stop checking my numbers from now until Monday if you do. Give yourself a weekend to recharge and reflect. Your sales numbers were phenomenal, and you made them doing what you love. That's something most of the people I know can't say.

 

[telracs]

i found that chocolate (only the high end stuff) works wonderful as mojo bait.

 

[RobynB]

i found that chocolate (only the high end stuff) works wonderful as mojo bait.

Mojo Bait...Love it. Great name for a book...or a drink.

 

[telracs]

Mojo Bait...Love it. Great name for a book...or a drink.

If it's a drink, it's made with Bailey's and Godiva Liqueur.

 

[RobynB]

If it's a drink, it's made with Bailey's and Godiva Liqueur.

Oh, dear dawg. I needs me some of that. NOW.

I usually crack open a bottle of Bailey's around Christmas. Perhaps I should rethink that.

 

[telracs]

Oh, dear dawg. I needs me some of that. NOW.

I usually crack open a bottle of Bailey's around Christmas. Perhaps I should rethink that.

yeah, definitely. open me now.....

 

[AnneMarie Novark]

About those sales numbers... I went cold turkey on checking them. From several times an hour to once a day. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and it has made a huge difference to that "hanging over my head" feeling of stress (that seems to be there whether sales numbers are good or bad). I had no idea how damaging it was until I quit...

I did this, too. And since my sales are in a decline, today I decided not to check at all. For the last several weeks, when I checked every morning and the dismal numbers stared me in the face, my whole day was spent in misery and feeling sorry for myself. Not good mojo.

Today, I'm taking a page out of Dean Wesley Smith's blog: Write the story, put it out there, forget it and write the next book.

Very liberating.