A book cover has to stir my nerve endings, make me squirm, arch my eyebrows, grit my teeth. A book cover that reveals a man's six-pack does nothing for me. It's all out there and leaves nothing to the imagination. After the full reveal, what's left? As writers, we must recapture the art of allusion and begin by making our book covers do just that ... allude to what's ahead.
Don't listen to the naysayers. Tell yourself what you would tell your best friend ... because you should be ... your best friend. Write if you want to write. Write when you're scared. Write when you're sad. Write when death stares you dead in the eyes. Write when you're alone and lonely. Write when you have nothing left in your tank. Write as if your next breath depended on it. WRITE!
I was inspired to write when I read Valley of the Dolls when I was about 13 or 14 years old. Then I picked up Gone With the Wind. Then Thorn Birds. My future was cemented and I didn't even realize it until I hit my prime.
Short breaks help, but they are not the cure. Nothing helps except writing. Taking breaks that involve writing helps you feel like you're not leaving it far behind. I read, but when I do, I make sure it's a good read or I'll get up and write again because I'm so hungry for it. If you have a stack of good books handy, keep them close. Then when you need a break, read them. If you can sit still long enough to finish it, you'll be filled with ideas and ready to master the next chapter of your book.
