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  • Gull Island Romance
    • Sand, Sea, and Second Chances
  • Meet Catherine
  • Contact Catherine
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Children's Books by Cat Michaels
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
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Cat's Corner

Blogging About Books, Writing, Travel, Film & More

My Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road

12/8/2019

18 Comments

 
Was 2019 a bumpy ride for you? Or full of smooth turns and gentle curves?  
 
My #Gr8Blogs writerly pals and I are diving deep into a year-end blog hop, December Dreamin’. I’m looking back at my moments and lessons learned from challenges this past year on the writing road.
 
Check out my personal reveals, meet Critic Cat and Confident Cat, and then visit the #Gr8Blogs linked at the end of this post for more shared recollections and smiles. We hope you'll be inspired to dive into special December Dreams of your own.
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Photo: Unsplash

Bumpy Roads
​

Stalling
The conflict between Critic Cat and Confident Cat was brutal the first half of 2019.  Their arguments spun round in my head and wore me down.
 
I put it down to winter blues on top of moving from our beloved neighborhood of 20 years to our cozy yellow cottage.  While grateful for the new home, I felt overwhelmed and inexplicably sad.  
 
Didn’t post much on my blog or newsletter. 
 
Stalled on my adult fiction novel.  
​
Wanted to quit writing altogether more than once. 
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Early 2019: lots of bumpy roads on the writing journey

​Sigh.  The battle raged …

Critic Cat
​

Hah!  
Quit whining.

Get over it!
Why don't you stop writing? 
Throw in the towel.
Close it down.
Admit you're through.
Confident Cat

Hey, give yourself a break!
You just came through the holidays and huge life changes.
Find ways to nourish your soul, make yourself happy, and go there.
Your writing will follow.
If not, it’s ok to take a different path.


On the Come Up
​
I recognized I was burning out and struggled to shake off my funk.  It wasn't easy, but here’s what got me going:

  • Less is better
    Cut back on social media and authoring from what felt like24/7 at 100mph to half-days, five days a week, and only occasional weekends
  • Move it!
    Sandwiched my work between yoga flow during mornings at the gym and long walks in the afternoons. Added morning laps once the pool opened.  Also loved meeting new friends from the gym and neighborhood pool (especially the 5-yo cutie, who paddled alongside and chatted during my cool-down laps).
  • People who need people
    Stayed in touch with friends and sought new connections in person and cyberspace.  Volunteered more in the community.    
  • Great escapes
    Turned off my brain. Dreamed about my new garden. Downloaded light reads.  Binged two seasons of Outlander. Caught reruns of Downton Abbey (Mercy, how my problems paled compared to what these characters endured, especially Lady Mary dealing with poor Mr. Pamuk and dead Matthew!)
     

Makin' It

Exploring New Ways
Author/Illustrator Rosie Russell and I began collaborating on a new middle-grade book. (We’re up to chapter 22 in our tale about a shy 5th grader who must stand up to a mean girl to keep her friends and reach her dream of entering her horse in the county fair). 
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
map illustration by Rosie Russell
Co-writing is a special challenge when working with someone who lives 1,500 miles away.  But Rosie is a joy to work with, just as her name implies, and being accountable to another author nudged me back to writing.  

​Plus, I finally had drafts to share with my local writers’ support group.  It was way better to share our chapters instead of berating myself when another month went by without having written a jot for our feedback sessions.
  
Taking Chances
By mid-year, Critic Cat still hounded me, but Confident Cat convinced me to enter the Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards Contest.  Waffling until the the deadline, I submitted
 Sweet T and the Turtle Team.

Six months later ...

Turtle Team scored its third writing award and received a silver medal for children’s books, animal category 
 
PLUS 
 
Turtle Team won the Wind Dancer Films competition!  

That meant my book was being considered for a film or TV movie adaption by a major Hollywood production company.  
 I am still over the moon and goose-bumping! My book adaptation may never come to pass, but I was 99% ahead of other authors, who only dream of getting their books on the silver screen.  

Turtle Team wins film competition
Turtle Team scores Readers' Favorite silver
Celebrating Success
My Ups, Downs and In-Betweens on the 2019 Writing Road ~ catmichaelswriter.com
Cat at Children's Literary Classics Awards
Critic Cat continued to recede as Hub and I attended the Children’s Literary Classics Book Awards in Rapid City, South Dakota.

​Turtle Team had been recognized by CLC with a  gold medal, environment category.

​I was one happy Cat on award's night -:D.

(Hey, catch my photo walk to the American West and  that red carpet weekend HERE)

​As my 2019 roller coaster winds down, Confident Cat has been keeping Critic Cat in the corner.

But I want to be ready when Critic Cat strikes again. That’s the writing road, after all.  Having doubts. Constantly striving to be better. Navigating bumps and curves mingled with smooth rides.  Keeping going when everything feels hard and progress is slow.
 
Here’s to more of Confident Cat and readers like YOU, who keep me company on my writing road. Your support means more than you'll ever know.  Beyond grateful!
​
 
Your Turn
Thanks for stopping by.  What are you dreaming about this December as you look back over your year? Please share in the comment section.

But before you go, find more inspirational recollections from my blogging buddies at these #Gr8blogs, coming to you from California and all the way to New Zealand and in between -:D!
​
​Julie Schooler

James Milton


Julie Gorges



Rebecca Lyndsey
​
Rosie Russell


​Sandra Bennett


​
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18 Comments
Julie Gorges link
12/8/2019 12:34:08 pm

Loved your honesty and so glad Confident Cat is winning the battle! Spending almost three decades in this business, oh, how I can relate! I've sworn off writing more times than I can count. But, like you, just when I was about ready to give up, exciting things were just around the corner. Over the moon happy for all your well-deserved awards that came at such a good juncture in your life. I also related to changes you had to make to keep your sanity. As I've aged, I've learned to tame this crazy roller coaster ride of crazy highs and debilitating lows by keeping balanced and not losing my priorities (God, family, then my writing - in that order). And I try not to lose the pure joy of writing that got me started down this path. Congrats again on your awards and the thrilling prospect of a possible film or TV movie!

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/8/2019 10:10:04 pm

Thanks for your kind words and sharing your ups and downs on the writing road, Julie. It makes me feel better to hear from a seasoned writer such as yourself that roller coasters are “normal” parts of the process. I also admire your priorities for maintaining life balance. You’re doing something right to have logged 3 decades in the field!

Reply
Julie link
12/8/2019 09:39:34 pm

Congrats on keeping Critic Cat on a tight leash. It is hard work! BTW I love Outlander too!

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/8/2019 10:18:51 pm

Smiling here, Julie, just picturing your mental image of Critic Cat on a leash. Good to meet another Outlander fan. I just finished the book set in North Carolina and need to go back to read the others in the series.

Reply
Rosie Russell link
12/9/2019 11:20:54 am

Like Julie said, what an honest and heartfelt post about your writing. I remember when you were down, but what I remember the most, is when the next thing I know, you were blessed with the most wonderful things that could ever happen to an author! Congratulations again to YOU! It's December, so I'm over here waiting for what news you will get. Fingers crossed, and strong prayers sent. :)
What a joy it's been writing with you, Cat! You are teaching me so much and have instill the love of writing that I never knew I had.
Here's to a great 2020 for you!!

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/9/2019 10:29:11 pm

Your kind words make me smile, Rosie. The first months of 2019 were tough, and I’m glad they are behind me. I’m also glad you are re-discovering a passion for writing longer-form stories. Exciting to see where you go once we finish our middle grade book collaboration.

Reply
Sandra Bennett link
12/9/2019 09:18:23 pm

I'm so pleased confident Cat pushed to the front ahead of critic Cat. It would be a shame if you stopped writing. The awards and accolades prove kids love your stories, hang in there Cat, this road may be bumpy but we love having you along for the ride.

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/9/2019 10:49:27 pm

Staying energized and productive on the writing road is often a battle for me, Sandra. I appreciate your company and encouraging words about the journey!

Reply
Eiry Rees Thomas link
12/10/2019 12:45:54 pm

Your words resonate, Cat and they're inspiring. Your posts often buck me up when Critic Al comes calling. Bring on 2020 and more good news from the Confident stable. I'll be rooting for your continued success all the way.

Seasonal greetings and blessing to you and yours, along with the supportive group and everyone who look forward to news of your incredible progress, including the collaboration with Super Rosie xx

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/10/2019 01:42:15 pm

Eiry, your words make my heart happy -:D. I appreciate your company on this writing journey more than you know. Here’s to keeping that Critic side of us in the corner as we head into 2020 and dive into the joy of the season.

Reply
maria
12/11/2019 07:59:32 am

I totally agree to cut down on social media stuff to get back to what matters and that writing without any distractions. Social media and all that extra stuff you do does get in the way.

Reply
Cat Michaels link
12/11/2019 01:32:30 pm

Maria, yep. I find social media to be a blessing....great way to meet, connect with people.....and a curse....so much to keep up with and tempting distractions. Hard to find a balance, but cutting back works for me.

Reply
Melinda Kinsman
12/12/2019 10:43:55 am

Glad to hear Confident Cat is winning, Cat! Love some of your suggestions for finding a better balance. Wishing you a wonderful Holiday season, and a well-deserved break after all those amazing awards!

(Now, where did I put that Downton Abbey boxset...)

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/12/2019 09:04:50 pm

Appreciate your kind wishes, Melinda. So important to find ways to stay balanced and keep off stress.

btw...let’s ask Carson to find our DA boxed set!

Reply
Rebecca Lyndsey
12/12/2019 07:16:47 pm

I'm so proud of you and all you have accomplished. I understand totally about having to find balance in this author world and how it can really question your path. I've been doing that a lot this year. Teaching is just so mentally and emotionally exhausting, I have no creativity in me when I get home. So summers are when I write. It really puts me at a disadvantage but I find it too hard to do both.
Maybe 2020 will be a better year for both of us!! Merry Christmas!

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/12/2019 09:15:00 pm

Many thanks for your kind words and encouragement, Rebecca. I do not know how teachers find time or energy to do more once the school day ends. Yours is truly a full-time job. I hope you will continue to feel energized and tackle your writing and art during the summers. And if you decide the path or timing are not right, I hope you will also give yourself permission to try a different direction.

Reply
Kat Varn link
12/22/2019 10:54:32 am

All of the above .... except for your wonderful claim to awards! I get frozen and discouraged but then once I find the inner peace, a clearer path and lead comes forth! Happy New Year!

Reply
Cat Michaels
12/23/2019 05:55:16 pm

It’s a tough road, Kat. You. Ailed it perfectly with”frozen” and “discouraged.” Glad your path has become clear. Many thanks for reaching out. Life is always better in fine company’s -:D

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