Acknowledging and Valuing Author's Exhaustion: Advice from Jeffe Kennedy
Unleashing the Might of the Author's Spirit: A Journey Beyond Writer's Burnout
Once upon a time at the 2019 SFWA's Nebula Conference, award-winning, bestselling author Jeffe Kennedy found herself on a panel discussing the perplexing conundrum of writer's burnout. Little did she know, this panel would become a beacon of enlightenment, not just for the audience, but also for Kennedy herself.
After the panel, an eager participant begged Kennedy to expound upon burnout during a lively conversation with fellow attendees. The fervor within the group was palpable, and one of SFWA's website representatives even proposed Kennedy pen a guest post on the topic.
Do writers need to start a dialogue about burnout more often? You betcha!
The Odyssey of Authorial Exhaustion: Jeffe Kennedy's Personal Entertaining Tale of Woe
The panel moderator, the illustrious Laura Anne Gilman, initiated by asking each panelist to recount their journey towards burnout. Kennedy’s turn arrived, and she shared her tale of turmoil that echoed strikingly similar experiences of her fellow panelists.
For Kennedy, the tipping point came after she decided to transition into a full-time writing career. After mastering the delicate balance of her dual roles as both an environmental consultant and a writer, she was laid off with a generous severance package—the perfect opportunity to dive headfirst into her writing full time.
Fired up at the prospect of forging a lucrative self-publishing career and diversifying her income, she aimed to double her daily word count and churn out multiple novels. As soon as I divulged this ambitious plan, the audience collectively groaned.
No matter what the self-proclaimed speed demons preach, raising the writing meter isn’t as simple as whipping up more words or dedicating extended hours. Writing is a grueling labor, and too much physical exertion can lead to exhaustion.
Kennedy managed to maintain this grueling pace for nine months, but her enthusiasm gradually waned. Eventually, she found herself in San Diego, weeping into a glass of wine with writer Thea Harrison, who intimated that she was verging on burnout and needed to mend her ways post-haste, lest she destroy her burgeoning career.
One crucial observation: every one of us had been warned about our burnout by a writer friend or loved one.
Detecting the Signs of Authorial Exhaustion
As the panelists recounted their stories, the audience—both at the panel and the subsequent lunch—listened with rapt attention. A common theme emerged: the inability to recognize burnout on our own.
All we could discern was a gnawing exhaustion, profound melancholy, diminished creativity, and general unhappiness. It's an intimidating thing to admit to ourselves, let alone the world, that we've drained ourselves to the brink.
The relentless drive to create, fueled by the current Indie Publishing environment, can be deafening. Some writers clamor for increased output and faster pace, implying that those who struggle might not be giving their all after all.
Don't fall for the hype.
Every writer possesses unique abilities and approaches creativity in their own fashion. Engaging in a laborious race to the finish line can lead to burnout, with consequences that can haunt you for years. The overzealous Indie Publishing cheerleaders don't care if you succumb to burnout.
Resurrecting the Author's Muse: Tips for Escaping Burnout
So, what's the antidote to writer's burnout?
- Acknowledging and admitting the problem is the first step—demanding kindness towards yourself as you nurture yourself back to health.
- Identify activities that fill your personal well and prioritize them above all else. This is non-negotiable in preserving your creative self.
- Monetization of creative work often exacerbates burnout, whereas discovering non-monetized creative pursuits can be the remedy. Passions like painting, baking, or jewelry-making can reignite the creative spark and provide a much-needed break from the daily demands of writing.
- Remember that your creative processes deserve reverence; burnout isn't a sign of feeble spirit but a warning.
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Best of luck, my writerly comrades—I'm rooting for each and every one of you!
- Jeffe Kennedy's personal account of authorial exhaustion serves as a lesson, highlighting the need for authors to discuss burnout more frequently.
- During the Nebula Conference panel, it became apparent that writers often struggle to recognize burnout on their own, reinforcing the importance of self-care and admission of burnout as a crucial first step towards recovery.
