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What terrifies you? I'm guessing it isn't the monster under the bed. Do you feel like by writing you've exposed a little piece of your soul and put it on display? Are you worried that-- People - either reviewers or critiquers - will tear apart what you write?
- That you're just not good ENOUGH?
- That you'll never get the call?
Strike a nerve? HOW DID I KNOW? Because we all have that part of us somewhere inside, that monster called self-doubt. These thoughts can become absolutely debilitating if left to fester. But what do we do about it? Just remind yourself of these truths and you will persevere.
- Using critiques you can and will make your manuscript even better.
- Not everyone likes the same things. Each reader finds the right books for him/her.
- No one is perfect. Even JK Rowling gets called on her adverbial dialogue tags! But by working on your craft, writing, revising, reading, and learning all you can, you will consistently improve.
- Getting the call would be great! Icing on the cake. But that isn't really WHY you're doing this. You're doing it because you have to. Because you can't NOT write.
Is it nice to be recognized? Of course! Should you want to? Naturally! But don't let your fear control you, because then you've lost sight of the real prize - the feeling of digging into that shiny new idea, of creating something from scratch that's uniquely you.
Great post. These reminders are always useful, no matter where you are in the process of trying to get published!
ReplyDeleteOf course I go through self doubts but I try to ignore them b/c even after the call I know writers continue to struggle with getting the book deal, will readers like it, will they earn out their advance, will they get the second book deal...etc. I know it doesn't end so I ignore them the best I can!
ReplyDeleteI must admit as much as I love writing, there are days I say, I should just stop. Find something else to do, then just like a scab I can't quit picking, I'm writing again. I simply love the art of creating stories. Then perfecting it.
ReplyDeleteI live in a cloud of self doubt. I'm halfway through my third MS after the first two bombed and wonder if it will ever see the light of day. I wonder if I'm missing out on life while doing something only I will ever enjoy.
ReplyDeleteWell, you described my thoughts pretty much spot on... especially the one about my fear of not being good enough. It's comforting to know that these feelings are common among writers... that I'm not alone.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Great post! I actually shocked myself earlier this year by thinking 'maybe I should just give up?' And THAT is what scares me lol. Sure, failure is scary, but even moreso, I'm scared that I'll give up and never give myself the chance to fail OR succeed.
ReplyDeleteSelf-doubt is the biggest enemy of writers, I think. It can put the breaks on a project. For me, it's been incredibly helpful to interact with other writers online or in person and realize I'm not alone. I can't say enough about the wonderful support that can be found by writers such as yourself.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You guys are awesome! Every one of these comments is wonderful and very real. I especially like the way Lori put it - "...even moreso, I'm scared that I'll give up and never give myself the chance to fail OR succeed." Because the minute you give up is the minute you will NEVER succeed. So don't give up!!! Let's keep supporting each other, okay?
ReplyDeleteThis is great, Lisa. Yes, doubt hangs over our heads like a fat, juicy rain cloud. But instead of worrying about the raindrops, we can rejoice when it rains so we can splash in the puddles.
ReplyDeleteWhat a weird comment. *hangs head* I'd better get back to revisions!
Very true! We write because it's who we are. We need to write like we need to breathe. We can't let fear stop us.
ReplyDeleteJulie - I think you got lost in that metaphor! LOL I still love it.
ReplyDeleteKelly - Love it!
ReplyDeletePerhaps I needed windshield wipers? LOLOL Cracking myself up
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lisa! I think it was Ally Condie who said you have to be standing out in the rain to catch lightning. We write because we love it, and rejection shouldn't be something we fear. :)
ReplyDeleteKristi - Ah another beautiful rain metaphor!! LOLOL I love it though! Ally Condy is awesome, and so so right!
ReplyDeleteI used to be very scared of putting my work out there. But then I thought - why am I writing if no one will ever read it?
ReplyDeleteI won't lie - I still get a stomach ache whenever I send work out for critique, but I end up with a better story once I see the reviewer's comments. And for that, I'm thankful.
Melissa - we all get nervous putting ourselves out there, but it's important to do it anyway, and it sounds like you have, so Yay you! ;D
ReplyDeleteI'll bare my flaws here...I'm a worrier. I will always think it can be better, I can be better, and it will never be good enough TO get the call LOL. But, I'm such a pusher I will keep going until I get there. I want to write and I LOVE it : ) You're right about that
ReplyDeleteBekah - It can always be better for EVERYONE, that's why we never really stop revising. But you're doing all the right things! And if you really LOVE it that's what matters most, the rest is time and effort and that can be managed.
ReplyDeleteMy self doubt is like the rain cloud always hanging over Eeyore. I need all my friends from the Hundred Acre Wood to keep me from getting sucked up in it. Another reason critique partners, like YOU, Lisa, are priceless.
ReplyDeleteIs there some RAIN METAPHOR conspiracy going on that I don't know about???? Um, I mean thanks, Leslie!!
ReplyDelete*sniffles* Thank you! I needed that reminder of why I do this. Lately I've been obsessing about 'The Call' and it's distracting. You're right though, that isn't why we do this. We do it because we love it and we can't not write. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteWriting because we love to and wanting vindication for all the time we spend writing is the rub- at least for me. Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteHeather - *hugs you back* :D We all obsess, it's our nature like I said. But we can acknowledge it and move on. Enjoy the writing!
ReplyDeleteElle - Thanks for coming by! It's validating when we get acknowledgement for sure. But in the interim we have to find that through other means, like blogging!
Well, you do have raindrops as your background ;) Maybe we need a bit of Annie instead... "The sun'll come out, tomorrow..." :D
ReplyDeleteGIrl Friday - ROFL!! I should have a rain metaphor contest. You guys must be writers or something!!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about the "real prize". Great reminder.
ReplyDeleteMargo - thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteLisa, I really love your point about no one being perfect. It helps me to realize that while I have to do something really smashing good, not every aspect of what I write has to be perfect! And every now and then, that tidbit of positive feedback, just helps me keep going! :-)
ReplyDeleteSusan - I have yet to meet the perfect person, writer or otherwise. Heck if our characters were perfect no one would like them! But yes, we all need positive feedback too, that's why this is such a great supportive community.
ReplyDeleteAnd some of us get the call but not the sale. Or make the sale but the editor gets fired. Or the publisher goes belly-up. But still we write. Because we must. Not writing is the real monster under the bed. Great post. Nicely put.
ReplyDeleteAnne - thank you! And thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOh yes!! GREAT post. And you know, even after I received The Call, I've been panicking about #2! I mean, what if I can't revise well enough? What if I go on sub and I get nothing but rejections? What if... Brrrrr. I think fear is always near--you just have to tell him to piss off! LOL
ReplyDeleteMonica - exactly! Hi Fear, I see you over there in the corner, but you need to go now, I have some writing to do.
ReplyDeletegreat post! a great reminder of why writers really write. The cure to a writer's fear is his own craft, I think. We must always remember that we write for the sheer joy of writing--and all our fears and doubts will melt away.
ReplyDeleteNutschell - yes, and once we sit down and start typing, it feels much better.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I view things. I'm writing because I can't imagine not writing. Yes The Call would be great, and so would a book deal. But that's not the only reason I slave over my novels and fall in love with my characters. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list of truths~ I needed to read that today :)
ReplyDeleteStina - The best way to look at things!
ReplyDeleteJess - Glad I could give you a lift!
Hey Lisa~ I also wanted to say thank you for being so nice about tweeting some of my posts when they relate to querying, etc. I really appreciate it, and am sending virtual espresso brownies and anti-pet-allergy spray so you can get that werewolf :)
ReplyDeleteOMG I love you! I hope my husband doesn't mind the werewolf... But I'll definitely take the brownies! Yum. Oh and you're welcome! Love spreading the word when it can help my fellow writers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! Definitely good to remind ourselves of these things from time to time!
ReplyDeleteAmie - Thank you! Yes, never lose sight of why you do it.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post Lisa! Fear can be debilitating. I'm VERY slow at moving to the next step (whatever it happens to be) because of all those fears you mentioned. Thankfully I have good blog buudies like you who help me keep moving forward! :)
ReplyDeleteJemi - you betcha!! Now keep moving!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had all of these worries at one point or another. I love the truths you've listed. It's true that everyone has different tastes when it comes to book (a good thing to remember when querying!) and that you have to keep writing because you love it. :)
ReplyDeleteGhenet - it's all part of the process.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, what a great post! And a very reminder too :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Rach
Rachel, so glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteOMG you're writing about me again,
ReplyDeleteAnd now I know not even my worries are original, LOL!
Ebony - only you could twist it that way. :P I'm so glad you came by!!
ReplyDelete