by Kimberly Mitchell

We’re writers. We envision, create, write and revise. Edit and revise again, and finally, publish! Who can deny the thrill of seeing your words on the page, or the screen, knowing you’ve written something others will enjoy?

But what happens when your desire to write dwindles? When the success you envisioned doesn’t come to pass as quickly as you thought, or at all? 

How do you keep writing? 

I’ve relentlessly pursued my goal of being a published children’s author for years. I got a master’s degree in creative writing. I obtained an agent. I wrote and wrote. Surely publishing success was just around the corner. Instead, I’ve encountered rejection. Writers are fragile folk. Our egos can only take so much before sliding into a chocolate indulgent slump.

I found myself in this slump in 2014. My agent hadn’t been able to sell my latest book. I was half-heartedly working on a sequel with little motivation to finish, and I’d neglected my blog for so long I forgot to renew the hosting until it was too late to recover any of my site. Four years of (admittedly haphazard) blogging gone. 

I knew I needed to renew my vision for writing. But how?

Here are five steps I’m taking in 2015 to bring new purpose to my writing.

Focus 

In January, a few fellow bloggers had a discussion about the one word theme they were choosing for 2015 to bring focus to their blogs. I loved this idea. I chose the word Story. My blog this year would focus on my own stories lived out from my childhood to now.

Photo credit: Arkansas Women #Blogger Workday by Jenny Marrs  

Reach Out 

I’ve been so intent on my overarching goal of getting my books published, I haven’t wanted to spend the time and effort to get to know local writers. Selfish? Yes. I decided to change that in 2015. I began actively following Arkansas Women Bloggers and participating in conversations. I attended a blogger work day at the Artist Retreat Center in Bella Vista in February and met other bloggers. I’ve made it a goal to continue to meet and reach out to other writers locally through 2015. 

Step Outside Your Comfort Zone 

I love writing stories for children, but I felt my writing was becoming stagnant. I needed to challenge myself. I decided to commit to finding opportunities to write on subjects I don’t normally consider. Once a month, I would pursue a different outlet for my writing – one that challenged me to write outside my norm. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to write for three blogs I love and I’m happy to announce I’ll be reading an essay at Little Rock’s Listen To Your Mother show in May. 

Learn

It doesn’t matter how much you know about writing; you can always learn more. I’ve committed to learning how to be a better writer this year. I already have two local writing conferences on my calendar and a number of free webinars. I plan to attend a few local classes and actually read those books on writing that have gathered dust on my shelf.  

Renew Your Commitment

When I was younger, I didn’t understand why people wanted to renew their wedding vows after years of marriage. After slumping through 2014, I see the power behind recommitting yourself to someone, or something, you love. 2015 is a year for me to recommit to my original goal of being a children’s writer, but in a gentler and, hopefully, wiser way. 

I’ve already seen a measure of success this year. I’ve had the opportunity to guest post on three blogs I love, including Arkansas Women Bloggers. I auditioned for Listen To Your Mother Little Rock and was chosen as one of the participants. I’m currently outlining my next middle grade novel. 

But here’s the best part: I’m excited about writing again. 

While I’ve had less time to spend writing books, the renewed energy and enthusiasm I have for writing is worth the tradeoff. I’m excited to see what the rest of 2015 will bring as I continue with my renewed vision for writing. 

Have you found yourself in a writing slump? How did you renew your vision for writing?

Kimberly Mitchell loves journeys, real or imagined. She has traveled to five continents and over twenty countries, always with a book in hand (or backpack). Now she writes middle grade adventures to send her characters on journeys, too. She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband and the best souvenir she ever found, a Yemeni cat. Find out more at kimberlymitchell.us and follow her on Twitter @KSMitch17.