If you’re anything like me, you’ve had plenty of times in your life when you were faced with a decision and your gut screamed one thing while your logical ol’ brain insisted on another. Maybe you listened to that feeling in the pit of your stomach, or maybe you did whatever your brain insisted was the rational choice. Or maybe the universe aligned and there was a big neon arrow blinking “THIS IS THE WAY” so you shrugged and figured okay sure I’ll listen to my gut this time.

I’ve had a lot of those moments in the past year or so. I’m the type of person who when I make a decision, I’ve made the decision. But it can sometimes take a lot of hemming and hawing — and often a lot of online research — to finally come to that decision.

When I decided to take a sabbatical from writing two years ago, as soon as I thought the words, I knew it was what I needed to do. Like instantaneously. I made a show of weighing the pros and cons for a couple weeks before officially announcing it, but there was no question in my mind that I needed a break.

During those months, I spent a lot of time reevaluating my approach to marketing, specifically where I was putting my time and money. There were a number of annual events that I’d done for years but they had stopped being successful, so I made a decision: I’m only doing book-specific events. Libraries, bookstores, book conferences, that sort of thing. The readers at those events may not all want my books, but at least they were readers.

(I also realized that if you run ads, people find and buy your books. Who knew!?)

So how do I know when to trust my gut?

More recently, an early reader of my current work in progress — a YA domestic suspense — suggested that I make a big change to the ending of the book. My first reaction when reading her note was “WHAT?!” My brain sputtered quiet excuses about why my way was right, and I closed the email, telling myself I’d reread it later. But her suggestion wormed into my brain and within an hour or two, I knew she was right. Her suggestion was not only better, it would shock readers. [insert evil laugh]

I shared the idea with my husband, who is an invaluable sounding board when I’m working through plot issues, and he immediately agreed the new ending would be better. As did another early reader. Best of all, a lot of the threads needed to make the change work already exist in the book! Authors like to say our subconscious knew before we did what was going to happen, and honestly, sometimes that’s the only explanation.

Often times you instinctively know whether something is right or wrong. I’ve received a lot of feedback over the course of my writing career — some good, some less good, all with good intentions — and one thing I always ask myself if my gut isn’t sure which way to go is, “am I hesitant because of all the work this would take or because it’s not right for this story?” If it’s simply me being lazy and wanting to be done with the book, then I know it’s good advice.

Marketing guttiness (aka instincts)

I’ve been wanting to switch newsletter providers for awhile but could never settle on the right platform. Partially because it’s a lot of work and partially because there are so many options and honestly, it was never at the top of my list. Then Mailchimp made some changes that made the decision for me.

Starting … today, I suppose, I’ll be sending my newsletters via Substack! If you’re not familiar with Substack, it’s kind of a cross between a blog and social media — but posts can be sent to your subscribers’ inbox. I still plan to keep my blog here, but I’ll most likely also share them in that space as well. I’d love it if you’d consider subscribing! Substack has options where people have to pay to subscribe, but mine will remain free.

I’m not 100% sure how this will go, but my gut insists it’s time for a change, and I believe it’s important to listen to our guts.

I’d love to hear about a time you wisely listened to your instincts.