An Author’s Confession
I have been wrong. Wrong about a lot of things. Wrong about writing habits and capacity.
Dear Reader,
It has been an incredibly difficult season to stay up on my writing habits. After spending years, sharing how I write in the margins, I finally hit the wall where I have so little time to actually write that I may have been wrong all along.
And it pains me to admit it. But here I am, writing during a short coffee break from work and I’m straining to write something meaningful. And no matter what I have tried to write, I find myself needing to enter into the writing confessional.
Unlike a church confessional, my priest is my reader, you. And sometimes, when we step into the confessional, we find ourselves uncomfortable, spread thin, and ultimately, in need of some kind of absolution to the thing that ways so heavy on us.
My Confession
I’ve been wrong. I’ve been wrong about a lot of things. But most of all, I have been wrong about writing habits. What worked for me in the last season isn’t working in this season. Sure, I could make excuses about trying to sell and buy a house. I could make excuses about having four kids. I could even make excuses about having a new job.
But the truth is…
Writing consistency and habit is 100% on the person who wants to write.
And the problem is that we change as people. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to writing online or being an author. And the worst part about all of this is that even when I have time now to write, I don’t take advantage very often. And that is because of all the things I need to do.
My Other Confession
In the last six months, my posts have largely been outlines from ChatGPT with fill in the blank paragraphs. Sure, I uploaded a lot of my content to help it stay on brand and stay in my voice, but so much of my time has been divided that I have leaned too much on my AI assistant for writing things.
And for that, I am sorry. Not because the content wasn’t helpful. But because it wasn’t personal. In fact, some of the content has clearly been helpful. But most of it has been in the name of ‘minimalism’ but the reality of Mr. Computer not having any feelings.
Now, my books have been all me. Even my last one. But my Medium writing have been very heavily done by my AI assistant, Maggie (I named it after my English Springer Spaniel) which was originally my helper in outlines, research, and images for posts. But lately, Maggie has taken more of a front seat. And that is pretty lame.
Why am I telling you this?
Mainly, because it has weighed me down. And also because you should know. But, maybe you already did know. Nevertheless, this has been very true on Medium. Not as much here on Substack, but, Medium it has been heavy. And they don’t seem to care as much as they say they do there.
All that to say, I’m sorry.
If you are offended or disappointed or whatever else, that’s fine. Unfollow me, block me, or whatever you’d like. It’s up to you, and I can’t control your reaction. Most of all, I’m not afraid or worried about your reaction because there has been something burning inside me to start doing that won’t be popular anyway.
Where do we go from here?
For me, and those who stick around, this place is going to be a little bit more personal. And a lot less about the craft of writing. Well, maybe not less about the craft of writing as much as less about the “how-tos” and the guides to writing.
I am going to start sharing much more of my content that is related to the projects I am working on. More behind-the-scenes and updates. More about what I am learning and trying out and less about what is “best.”
And, I am going to get back into my faith writing more deeply and focused. I will share my projects here. I will share my posts about my faith here a little more. In some ways, I’m burning the ships and going back to where I have loved to live in writing. Which might slow me down some, but it will focus me and bring me greater joy.
If you decide to stay, thank you.
If not, I’m sad to see you go, but I’m fine that we part ways. Most of all, I hope you find what you are looking for and I know I will step into what I’m really supposed to be writing about.
Thank you for reading,
J.R. Heimbigner
Hi, I’m J.R. Heimbigner.
23 books published under my name and another two books under pen names. Multiple #1 Amazon bestsellers. I help everyday people turn simple ideas into books — and books into income.
And if you’re ready to build something real with your writing…
Check out my 90-Day Amazon Bestseller System — my complete step-by-step framework to go from idea to published book in 90 days (even if you’re starting from scratch).
We love you JR! Life is hard in the content creation meet real world intersection.
I've dialed back writing as I'm coding apps for my customers.
I find it's hard to do both of those while being a CEO and ghostwriting/producing a book for a big company.
Writing is on each of us authors. Love that. I haven't tried to put out a bunch of AI generated content to fill the gap recently for the same reason you feel guilt.
I knew it wouldn't be my best work. Love your honesty and I don't look down a bit on you for any of it.
Maybe you haven't been so "wrong" about advice on writing habits. I read yesterday in the New Yorker Mag that literally every day we are genetically slightly different...squadrillions of DNA bits changing places, modifying things, modifying YOU. So maybe you just need to develop slightly different habits...and not preach them to other writers as the ultimate way to be a successful writer. I am writing this last sentence with a smile on my face...but you DO get preachy about the ultimate way to write. I hereby absolve you. Go with God. : )