086: 6 ways to deal with FOMO when everyone else is writing a book (and you aren't)

In this episode of Indie Author Weekly, I want to provide you with some reassurance, if you feel like everyone else is writing a book, and you aren’t. 

We are currently in November, and every November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. It’s that time of year when people from all across the globe come together virtually to each write a 50,000 word novel in the space of just 30 days. It’s a super cool concept and it can be a very effective way to get that first draft on paper. I love the energy of NaNoWriMo—when you’re participating in it, you get to really be a part of a bigger community, with plenty of writing resources. It’s awesome.  

But… what about if you aren’t participating in National Novel Writing Month? What about those times when it feels like everyone else is writing a book, and you aren’t?  

I’ve taken part in NaNoWriMo probably about a half-dozen times, and every year when I don’t participate, I definitely feel some FOMO about it. That’s totally normal. It makes sense to maybe feel a little guilty that we aren’t writing a novel, when it seems like everyone else is doing it. It’s okay to wonder if maybe you should be doing it, too.  

Here’s the thing, though: sometimes, the timing isn’t quite right. And as important as it is to prioritize book writing, we also can’t necessarily just drop everything to do it. Right? Right.  

TUNE IN to this episode for 6 tips on how to deal with FOMO about (not) writing your book...  

Resources & links mentioned in this episode: 

• Get podcast and book updates delivered to your inbox at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes .
• Learn more about all of Sagan's books at SaganMorrow.com/books .
• Get more focused and disciplined with Productivity Powerhouse at SaganMorrow.com/powerhouse .
• National Novel Writing Month .
• Episode 83 of Indie Author Weekly: how to fit "writing a book" into your schedule .
• Tune into Indie Author Weekly on your favourite podcast platform at SaganMorrow.com/podcast .
• Subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Apple Podcasts .

Let's chat about this episode: 

• @Saganlives on Twitter and Instagram .
• Hashtag: #IndieAuthorWeekly .
• Email hello@saganmorrow.com .
• Share your thoughts (or submit requests for future episode topics) in this survey at SaganMorrow.com/question 

Transcript

Hello friends! Sagan here. Welcome back to Indie Author Weekly, where I share my behind-the-scenes journey of writing and self-publishing books. 

If you’re new to this podcast, I am a productivity strategist for multi-passionate creatives: I help people manage their time and energy effectively, through customized, actionable strategies that work for your unique life and business. When I’m not teaching about productivity to solopreneurs, I spend my time writing books, such as my Polyamorous Passions romantic comedy series. And that is what this podcast is all about: the adventures of the author life. 

Get podcast and book updates delivered directly to your inbox at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes—link is in the show notes.

Now let’s get into this episode of the Indie Author Weekly podcast. In this episode, I want to provide you with some reassurance, if you feel like everyone else is writing a book, and you aren’t. 

We are currently in November, and every November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. It’s that time of year when people from all across the globe come together virtually to each write a 50,000 word novel in the space of just 30 days. It’s a super cool concept and it can be a very effective way to get that first draft on paper. I love the energy of NaNoWriMo—when you’re participating in it, you get to really be a part of a bigger community, with plenty of writing resources. It’s awesome. 

But… what about if you aren’t participating in National Novel Writing Month? What about those times when it feels like everyone else is writing a book, and you aren’t? 

I’ve taken part in NaNoWriMo probably about a half-dozen times, and every year when I don’t participate, I definitely feel some FOMO about it. That’s totally normal. It makes sense to maybe feel a little guilty that we aren’t writing a novel, when it seems like everyone else is doing it. It’s okay to wonder if maybe you should be doing it, too. 

Here’s the thing, though: sometimes, the timing isn’t quite right. And as important as it is to prioritize book writing, we also can’t necessarily just drop everything to do it. Right? Right. 

For example, I go through cycles in my business. I’m very multi-passionate, and as a result, I like to plan my different projects and workload in different chunks of time throughout the year. This past summer, for example, I was almost entirely focused on my work as a romcom author. Currently, I am in a cycle of focusing on my work as a productivity strategist—in fact, this week I am relaunching my signature program, Productivity Powerhouse! Get some awesome bonuses when you join at SaganMorrow.com/powerhouse. 

As a result of these cycles or seasons of business, when I looked at where I wanted to spend my time and energy this month, it didn’t make sense, at all, to join in on NaNoWriMo. So I’m not participating this year. And again—that’s okay!

If you’re feeling some FOMO right now, whenever you happen to be listening to this—whether it’s National Novel Writing Month or not—then here are a few things you can do to handle it, when it seems as though everyone else is writing a book and you aren’t…

1. Schedule it in. If you want to write a book, you do, at some point, need to set aside the time and energy for it! Get a step-by-step guide for how to fit “writing a book” into your schedule when you tune into Episode 83 of this Indie Author Weekly podcast. 
2. Reconnect with your current priorities. There’s a reason why you aren’t writing your book right now, isn’t there? Get in touch with why the other things in your life or business matter so much. 
3. Make a point of not missing out next time. If you’re feeling down because you aren’t participating in National Novel Writing Month this time around, for example, then plan ahead so that you do participate next year. Or, if that feels too far away, then you can plan to participate in the Camp version of NaNoWriMo, which I believe happens in April and July every year. 
4. Get back in touch with what you love about writing. If you feel bad or guilty or whatever it is right now because you aren’t writing a book, then that’s a good opportunity to check in, and really ask yourself: Why AREN’T you writing your book right now? Are you satisfied with your answer? There are no right or wrong answers here—the important thing is that you’re being honest with yourself. Sometimes, this means you need to get back in touch with your love of the craft, if you’re struggling with it. 
5. Cheer other people on. There’s nothing like community and support for turning a situation around! Just because you aren’t participating in National Novel Writing Month this time around, doesn’t mean you can’t be a cheerleader for the people who are doing it. Celebrate with them and support them! It’s a nice way to still be a part of it, even if you aren’t actively writing a book at this stage. 
6. Start today. Who cares if National Novel Writing Month started two weeks ago, for example? You get to make your own rules! You are the author of your own book and your own life. Why not start today?

So, there you have it. When it feels like everyone else is writing a book, just remember to stay in your own lane, okay? This isn’t a race. Your book writing adventure and journey is unique to you. Definitely stay true to your priorities and goals—by which I mean, be honest with yourself if you constantly come up with excuses for not writing, because in that case, years can keep going by without you writing your book—and at the same time, honour where you are at, right now. 

It’s okay if your book writing experience is messy. It’s okay if your author experience is a cyclical, seasonal adventure. It’s okay if you aren’t participating this time around, or if you’re a rebel when it comes to your methods of participation. You do you! That is how you will be successful as an author. 

To recap, those 6 tips to keep in mind when it feels like everyone else is writing a book and you aren’t, include…

1. Schedule it in
2. Reconnect with your current priorities
3. Make a point of NOT missing out next time
4. Get back in touch with what you love about writing
5. Cheer other people on
6. Start today

Now, I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you feel pressure to do what everyone else is doing? Do you feel bad if you don’t participate in NaNoWriMo? 

Connect with me on Twitter and Instagram, @Saganlives, to chat about it, or to let me know if you have requests for future episode topics. The more you tell me what you’d like to see more of on this podcast, the better that I can accommodate that. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please take 2 minutes to share this podcast on social media and subscribe and rate it on Apple Podcasts—any time you share it or leave a rating or review, it helps more listeners find the Indie Author Weekly podcast, so every bit counts! I really appreciate your support. 

Want to stay in touch? Yeah you do! Get podcast and book updates delivered directly to your inbox, plus unlock awesome bonuses such as free chapters of my books, at SaganMorrow.com/behindthescenes—link is in the show notes.

Thanks so much for tuning in to the Indie Author Weekly podcast, and I will see you in the next episode.