How I Got Unstuck and Moved Beyond My Fears

After three years of trying, I (finally!) succeeded --- converting my kid lit books for digital distribution without layout being a hodge-podge of misplaced text and drawings.  Sure, I had one e-book already.  However, it took six months and a sizeable hole in my checkbook to hire the coding guru who formatted my first e-tale, Sweet T and the North Wind.

I can’t put my finger on why it took three years to accomplish my goal.  A messy confluence of factors weighed me down for 156 weeks, and I stress now just thinking about them:

• Overwhelmed by basics of writing, publishing, marketing as a new Indie authorprenuer
• Me, learn coding? Hah! 
  (I hate math.)
• Beat myself up for not accomplishing my expectations
• Hamstringed by time constraints of work and family
• Exhausted juggling multiple writerly priorities
  (building my blog and newsletter, starting a critique group, writing two print books, establishing social relationships, finding readers, visiting schools, etc.)
• Frustrated/discouraged after a gazillion failed attempts to do my own digital conversions
• Lacked confidence: would e-books find young readers? Were they worth my time and effort?

But I was determined.  Over time, support from family and friends, plus attitude adjustment, tipped the scale:

• Shifted my thinking: I can do this!  It’s okay to "fail"
• Celebrated small victories instead of rushing off to the next challenge
• Discovered new, user-friendly, free conversion software for Mac users:
  ibooks Author: creates e-pub files for i-Tunes; Vellum: creates mobi files for Kindle
• Received encouragement that I can, indeed, write a good tale for kids
• Cut back my daily work schedule and added more time for play
  Spending less time at the keyboard makes me more productive.
• Resisted the urge to compare myself to other creatives
  This is really hard for me!
• Turned to family and friends to recharge when I felt low

Nothing happened overnight. I still struggle, especially with accepting I’m where I need to be and not where I expect myself to be. 

​But I turned the corner.  So after three years of trying, my first Cat-formatted e-book, The Magical Aquarium book is on i-Tunes AND pre-order with Amazon for a 17 February release.  Beyond-excited and relieved!
 
Sure, there’s more to tackle ahead, but I’m moving forward instead of treading water.  And that’s a glorious feeling.

YOUR TURN: How do you keep going when you're feeling stuck?  Keep yourself out of that hole in the first place? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.

Photos: UnSplash, Creative Commons license

---

---

Thanks for stopping by.  Like what you see?  
Don’t miss a post!
Send this blog to your RSS feed or email.

Join the fun; join my tribe!
Updates - Special Offers - Fun Stuff
Kids: download your FREE coloring printables from Cat’s books
Young at Heart: download your FREE copy of a special Catly short story
Driving Down to Dillon: A Tale of Love & New Beginnings

Join cat's Tribe of readers

   Twitter   Facebook   Pinterest   Goodreads   Amazon   Instagram