This is a topic many authors, especially self-published like myself, don't like to talk about. If you're like me, when you became a writer with dreams of publishing your books, you thought about the actual writing, the storytelling, the outlining, the editing, possibly about social media, but that's it. That's why I have a Bachelor's Degree in English instead of Marketing. I thought it was the most important part of being an author, but in reality it's only a part of the puzzle.
I will be the first to admit that this is something I struggle with. As much as I know certain things will benefit me, it's hard for me to do it when I just don't feel like it, when I would rather relax than exercise or write or wake up early. As I continue to push myself to be a better person and a better writer, self-discipline is in the forefront of my self-exploration.
I am finding that if I do a little bit of writing during the day while it's sandwiched between completing other tasks, I get it done. But on days like Saturday where I do a little bit of cleaning around the house and then laze around with my three-year-old, playing and watching TV, absolutely no writing gets done.
I may not have the space for it yet, but ever since I started writing books and publishing them, I've dreamed of having my own writing studio on my property. What is it about the tiny secluded space that send writers over the moon? They're just so completely perfect in their "away from them"-ness. (Yes, that's a Gilmore Girls quote!)
I've been trying for basically my whole life to be an early riser. It's never worked out well for me. I knew that if I just got up at 6am instead of 7 or 7:30am, I could get so much more done and still not be rushed to leave for work at 8am. Despite knowing that, when the time came to jump out of my cozy, warm bed, I failed to do so. I'd hit snooze (at least three times) and curl back up. My little black cat, Bob, is an enabler, too.
Alex Apostol 