Sometimes life gets
in the way of your art and you wind up taking an unplanned sabbatical from your
work. Unfortunately the business of writing and keeping an audience is driven
by the momentum, slack off and you’ll lose much of your fan base. Sometimes it
can’t be helped, family emergencies, illness, “other” job requirements, and
even emotional recuperation are all reasons you might have taken a break. But
don’t let the break become permanent – get back in the game as soon as you can.
For a writer the best
way to keep your audience glued is to keep producing, that means write, write
and write. Now that you’ve been on a break, chances are your name just isn’t
out there as much (unless of course an earlier work has hit it big – even then,
too long between books or such will cut down on your doting fans).
Get back into
blogging, touting your backlist, write short stories if you can’t come up with
a new book just yet, and participate in CONSTRUCTIVE social media. Start
drumming up interest in you first and then your writing. Mention your previous
works but as always, don’t produce a continuous advertisement. Re-post an old
review or post now and then. Build the buzz about a well advanced work-in-progress
and let folks know that something is on its way.
Get your name out
there and make it a household word again.
While you may look at
the daunting task of rebuilding your audience, don’t get discouraged – you did
it before without having an established backlist to wave as a banner. You also
have experience this time around and probably a lot more contacts in the field
than when you first started out. What you don’t have is time to waste.
Make a plan. List the
promo items and activities that worked best before and try some of those again.
Start scheduling in-person and virtual appearances and get out there to work
the crowds. Don’t bother with excuses for your absence (unless directly asked
and then be brief), just announce loudly “I’m back!” And most importantly,
WRITE.
Writing Exercise: Write up a press
release announcing an upcoming appearance. Be sure to include reference to your
backlist and a brief personal bio (your bio should be writing related). Include
contact and buying info. Even if you don’t mail this out to the media (and why
not?) or it isn’t picked up for publication, post this on your website or social
media page.
Writing Prompt:
Think of 5 to 10 things that occurred during your sabbatical that you could
write something about, it doesn’t matter if its fiction or real. Make a list
and jot your ideas down as well.
