"Ontario" Release Date, and Getting Motivated

Being a writer takes something special, something huge, and that thing is - motivation. 

Okay, so pretty much everything takes motivation, but in reality, a huge portion of what a writer does is based on how motivated they are and why they are motivated. What I want to tell you today is to STAY MOTIVATED! Find out what motivates you and hold to that thing like a kid follows Mickey in Disneyland. 

If you follow my blog you know that my motivation has been somewhat lacking lately. In my last post I presented you with a big list of writing-related things I was going to do. Yeah, guess how many of those things actually were accomplished on Friday . . . yeah, you're right. ZERO. Not because I didn't need to get them done, because I really do, but because I have been distracted lately. I haven't been very motivated. 

For six weeks I pushed and pushed myself and did nothing besides work on publishing Through the Paper Wall. Am I glad that process is over? Yes, I am. I was so excited to get working on publishing Ontario because it is very close to publishing quality, but I just haven't been feeling it. I haven't had that kick in the pants I need. For my first book I had a deadline that I had to make, because I told the world that was when the book would be available. I haven't had that luxury this time around. 

So, step one of getting myself back into the motivated world of serious writers: I am setting a release date for Ontario. Ready? Holding your breath? I know I am . . . 

APRIL 29!

Is that insane? Yes it is. But, it will also force me to get going! I want you to hold me to that date! I am going to do the best I can to be ready by then (certain things like cover art permissions may be out of my control), so send me lots of good vibes! And don't worry, I actually have worked on Ontario a bit. It's not like I am starting from scratch here. 

Another thing I haven't been motivated to do since I was caught up in publishing: Writing. I miss writing so much! Having a book published is totally awesome and I love the thought of having a second one published next month, but in all honestly, editing and formatting are really not my favorite things in the world. Writing is! So, I am getting back into writing. I have this amazing story called Lorn that just thrills me to death. I love it. I think it has huge potential. It's fantasy. It's young adult. It's edgy. It's also nearly complete. I wrote most of the story for Camp NaNoWriMo in August 2012 and it is so near the end I can't even believe that I stopped there. Well, it is finally going to end. For real.

Here's where I say a bit about knowing what motivates you. What motivates me more than anything in the world when I am writing? NaNoWriMo! Luckily, or unluckily, we will find out soon, Camp NaNoWriMo is making an appearance in April. That means I have only seven more days to finish Lorn. Wow, I am suddenly terrified ... This story is finally going to get finished, baby, and I have another fabulous one to work on in April, also one that I think has high potential. 

So, to sum up all of my ramblings today, I am jumping back on the motivation bandwagon, finishing a book, publishing another one, and starting yet another one, all within the next month or so. Yeah, I am totally insane, but whatever. It is gonna happen!

Here's to the lot of us getting motivated again!

- Heidi Nicole Bird