Here's the thing I'm most insecure about right now (and have been for some time, and will be for some more time to come!): putting my writing out there for the world to see.
A few months ago, I decided to publish a series of stories entitled Creepy Hollow, and those of you who hang around this blog sometime may have seen my announcement in December. Now, I'm enjoying writing these stories, I think they're kind of fun, and I'm really excited for the release of the first one in a few months' time. BUT, in those moments when excitement subsides, I can find many things to be afraid of.
Here is what haunts me in my darkest moments (okay, so it's not that bad, but you know what I mean!):
- No one will buy my book.
- People will buy it, but they'll think it's kind of crap.
- People will buy it, they'll enjoy it, but not enough to be interested in reading any more of my work.
Aaarruuuargh! <--- that's me wrestling with the insecurity demon ---> Down, you demon, down!
So. How have I gotten over these insecurities?
~ ~ ~
Don't forget to support other insecure writers!
26 comments:
Being brave is a great start. As writers, we have to be brave to put ourselves out there, especially more than once.
I can't say I've gotten over these insecurities. I suppose it'll get better with the more things you publish and the positive results from them. The good thing is that we typically get better with each work than worse. :)
I must admit I like the stick idea too.
Sometimes I think being brave is the more difficult end of writing. But yay to you for sticking with it and going for it. I have some of the same fears- who would want to read my work? But then I just tell myself I do. and I'm off to writing again :)
I'm planning on publishing my first book this year (provided I can get out of my own way, of course) and I have the same fears but I'm trying to beat them back with a stick because I want to live the life where as long as I'm happy with what I'm putting out there, the rest doesn't matter so much.
We'll see how it goes...
Good luck with everything.
I'm not sure these insecurities ever really go away.. I have these same fears... but you're dealing with them in exactly the right way... being brave and believing in yourself is the first step.
Good luck with everything!
As everyone has been saying, insecurities never really go away, but you can change how you deal with them. You're brave and you have me intrigued with just your series title alone! Good luck and keep writing.
Repression is the key for me. *laughs*
Thanks for sharing. I've yet to reach this stage and know I will find myself wrestling with that insecurity demon too. But reading other people's experience helps me to deal with it better. Creepy Hollow is a great title by the way. All the best for the New Year!
I think the key is not necessarily getting over it, but to just keep moving forward even though you're scared stiff. It's ok to be afraid. It's not ok to let the fear paralyze you. So just keep going. Keep going no matter what, and eventually the insecurities will fade away on their own.
I am such a coward! It takes me forever to build up the courage to take the next teeniest, tiniest step. Ridiculous!
There seems to be this common theme this week for our group. I posted on self doubt and have read several others. Maybe it's the beginning of the year and making all these goals then we start to doubt ourselves. Down, down, with self doubt. When it pulls up a chair beside you when you start to write, give it the flick and write!
Denise
Hi Rachel, new follower here via the IWSG. Welcome to the group! You'll find we all share similar demons here, I mean, insecurities, so it's nice to have someone to bitch to who knows exactly how you feel. I think your fears are universal to all authors. But I also think, the more you put yourself out there, the thicker your skin will get.
My advice is not to think about those things yet - just focus on your stories and trust that if you love them, someone else will too. Plus, when marketing time hits, the IWSG will still be here for ya. ;)
Congratulations on getting published! That is a big step in itself. I am as yet unpublished, but I can understand how you feel. I think a big part of being a writer is being okay with the possibility of failure and continuing to write anyway. "Being brave" is exactly it!
Allison (Geek Banter)
I can definitely understand being nervous about taking the leap into self-publication. I can't tell you that the sales figures are going to be amazing, but here's what I know:
You're a great writer. Seriously.
MUCH better than the insecurity demon tells you you are.
Best of luck!!
Hi Rachel. Firstly I have to say that I'm really excited about Creepy Hollow, it looks like it's going to be awesome. People will definately buy your book and inevitably it will not be to everyone's taste, because no book ever can be. But I'm sure that most people who read it will love it. As writers, publishing our work is a big gamble. You can't know for sure how it will go down, but if you don't have the courage to put your writing out there then you'll never know. Congratulations on being brave enough to take the risk, I'm sure it will pay off!
I think it's only natural for any writer to be nervous before publishing something, no matter how it's being published. Even if it's up for free. We're putting ourselves out there, opening ourselves up for potential ridicule. And even if there's nothing to criticise, there's always going to be at least one flamer out there who'll be mean just for the sake of it.
Still, being brave is a required part of the gig too! :)
I just went through the whole angst of letting someone read my writing about a month ago... and while I gushed all over my blog about how awful it was probably going to be, it ended up going really well.
There's nothing like being able to sit down and talk to someone about your art, as seen through a fresh pair of eyes.
Good luck and I'm excited to see how this goes for you!
You picked a good time for release as so many writers rushed to get their works out for the holidays. I'm releasing a book later this month and am looking forward to all those people with shiny new eReaders for Christmas. Good luck to you! You'll do just fine.
Ah yes, the insecurities. I hate them. The moment I give only one air, all of them come clamoring up for attention until I can hardly think of anything else.
The only way to beat them is to do whatever you're insecure about anyway. Good luck!
Welcome to the group! It's a great group to be a part of. One of my favourite quotes is by Nelson Mandela: 'Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.'
So feel that fear but do it anyway - be courageous. And having read the first in the Creepy Hollow series, I can vouch for the fact that people will not think they're xrap!
That was meant to be crap, obviously! My phone/blogger wouldn't let me go back and correct. Grrr...
Aw, I know what you mean- the thought of putting it all out there makes me shudder every time! But if we didn't love what we do, we wouldn't take that risk! I'm anxiously awaiting the release of your stories!
I know exactly what you mean! I'm still trying to pluck up the courage to show more than one person my work :-)
Good for you on being brave despite the insecurities!
Congrats on taking that all-important step. From my older branch on the tree, I know that insecurities never totally disappear and that insecurity breeds insecurity but one learns to deal with life's necessary demons, as in, what's the worst that could happen to you? Unless you're a real struggling artist who is one rand from skid row, you're still going to get on with your life post-publication; your family and friends will be proud of you regardless; you'll feel a sense of success and accomplishment whether you sell one book or one million; and you'll grow as a person. You're a success the sec you hit 'publish.' Good luck! (And, er, I know Hollow will be a success!)
Nothing ventured, nothing gained! I say GO FOR IT! All the experts seem to agree this is the golden time to self publish.
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