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| Alex Cavanaugh |
Your Hosts Today:
Julie Flanders, Murees Dupé, Dolorah at Book Lover, Christine Rains, and Heather Gardner!
Let me count the Insecurities this month.
1) I finished that manuscript I’ve been wrestling with for weeks, months–let’s be honest–years. It went to my all time favorite editor. She liked it. Then I sent it to an author who asked to read it. I’m still chewing my nails about that. Maybe there are really 3 Insecurities in this one paragraph, but I’ll bundle them into a unit.
2) I set up a Special Offers Mailing List and that was a huge Insecurity Issue for me, but I have a good start on my list of people who are willing to let me invade their inboxes once a month and offer them books or other rewards for taking up their time.
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| Denise Covey, Yolanda Renee |
3) I entered the WEP August Challenge and posted a bit of description. There were some excellent entries in this HOP, so I had every right to be Insecure.
4) My WIP is at 26,000 words and I’m terribly Insecure about it because I’m experimenting with it, so I’m either going to make something good or something really bad.
5) I was hugely Insecure when I invited Barry Lyga to be a guest on my site. I’m still experiencing fan-girl symptoms. He’s a super writer.
Well, that’s enough about my Insecurities. Now I’m off to see what others have to say about theirs this first Wednesday of September.
Here’s to fall!
It's such a relief to get a manuscript finished, especially one you've had for years. Sounds like you've already had good feedback!
Aw, sorry you've been experiencing so many insecurities. How exciting about your completed manuscript, though, as well as your current WIP. Hope all your worries right now end up being for nothing!
Sounds like an overall good month, despite the insecurities! Congratulations on the positive feedback from the editor.
Congratulations! Those are some wonderful steps forward.
Yeah! Congrats on finishing and hearing good news from your favorite editor. That is awesome! Good luck hearing back from the author who has it. 🙂
~Jess
CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING!!!! 😀 And even if your current WIP starts out rough, there's always editing until it's something gorgeous. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your insecurities. As unfortunate as it is that we all have them, sometimes it's nice to be reminded that you're not alone. 🙂
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com
It sounds to me like you have it all together, so way to hide your insecurities!
I write better than I feel. Thanks heavens for that. 🙂
Can I just say that having your manuscript done is a huge feat! I am proud of you:) Look what I just said-hahahaaa but you should feel so proud of yourself for what you have accomplished because you fight through the fear which many people don't do.
That is such a sweet thing to say. Thanks. It's people like you who keep people like me going.
Your insecurities seem to produce good results. 🙂
That's great you finished that one manuscript. I hope the author likes it too. Sometimes our experiments turn out much better than we ever thought they would. Good luck!
Sounds like you're not letting your insecurities stop you! Keep up the good work!
I know you posted about your insecurities but what I read was how much butt you're kicking! Moving forward with projects and such? Go, C.Lee!!!! And of course you'll get fantastic feedback from the author, breathe and . . . well just breathe, I know I'd be anxious too lol
Sweet, S.K. I'll let you know how it comes down.
I think you are amazing and you did so much, I think you should be proud of yourself. Definitely kick that insecurity to the curb:)
This summer I wrestled with a manuscript that seemed to take forever to write, but I was compelled to get that story out of me. I'm glad your mailing list is growing. Mine slowly grows.
Sounds like you are doing exceptionally well and aren't letting all those insecurities stop you. Yay!
Wow, you're on quite a roll!! Finished one ms and 26k on your wip! I loved Double Negative, and I'm sure your ms will meet with great approval. Also, writing and experimenting with something new might be fun. Enjoy!
Congrats on finishing your manuscript! That's awesome.
I can relate to pretty much all of these. That newsletter thing is nerve-wracking. I was terrified no one would sign up for mine, and that almost everyone who had signed up would dump me after the first issue.
I wonder if I signed up for yours? I'll have to check. I no longer know who I follow or how. Off to create a spreadsheet! 🙂
I have a story out to an author friend and it is nerve-wracking. And she already read it once! We can bite our nails together. 😉
The thing about being insecure is that it's the nature of this beast called writing and publishing. We pour our sweat, blood, tears and creativity into stories we really believe people will love only to have people give us a wide spectrum response instead of this "we all love everythinng you do" response.
Oh…to be an author.
I'm sure the author you sent your ms too will love it. No doubt! Sounds like you are really moving forward and kicking butt. 😀
Maybe I'm misreading it, but each of your "insecurities" sounds like an accomplishment to me. I wish I were doing so well. 🙂
Yay for fangirl moments! Yay for the MS being done! Yay for progress on the WIP. It was fun to stop by here and say 'yay' a lot 🙂
Gee – those insecurities sound very familiar – except for the Barry Lyga part.
Great job with moving forward with your projects. Especially your mailing list. I've just about given up on my attempts at creating a solid list. It's not easy, so excellent work!
Yay to the editor liking your look (and I'm glad you admit it might have taken years to get the story that far- makes me feel better). As to insecure fan girling – congrats that he agreed! Good luck with the next WIP.
In spite of your insecurities, you go ahead and face them and write wonderful stories. Yay for your editor liking your work. I bet the author will like it too. Umm, I thought all stories took years to write. Mine do. 🙂
Best of luck with your latest. Hope we see it live soon.
Way to be brave! I think sometimes if we just pretend these insecurities don't exist, they go away. At least, that's what I like to believe.
You're right, ignoring them is one strategy. I do that by keeping busy.
Yay! You finished a manuscript and that's a huge accomplishment. As writers we're always going to feel insecure but I know you got this, Lee!
Thank heaven for IWSG! It helps to tell everyone about these anxious moments.
Lots of insecurities, but lots done too. Great job! I'm dealing with productive nerves too. But I'm excited the autumn is near. Yay!
Love "productive nerves." That says it all.
well, what's a year for a manuscript, took Jiang Rong 40 years to finish WOLF TOTEM 🙂 Three months for me to translate it, about seven years to turn it into the film 🙂
Once again, you've put it all into perspective!
Hi,
Congratulations on getting your manuscript completed. I think it's great that you're letting another author read it. But I know how you feel. Letting someone read your work is kind of like letting someone else wash your baby. You don't really know if they'll understand it like you do.
All the best.
Shalom,
Patricia
That baby simile is perfect, Pat. That's exactly how I feel.
Lots of insecurities, but lots has been happening too. And Ioved the tongue-in-cheek delivery. 🙂
shahwharton.com
Got to have a sense of humor in all of this!
Woohoo! Sounds like you've been one busy writer this month. That's enough to make anyone insecure. Good luck.
How's Hogwarts? When I last visited it was going strong!
Lee, you are an AMAZING writer!
I feel you with regard to the experiment thinggie… my WEP entry was an experiment, but now it's grown on me and is demanding that I take it further…
Happy IWSG Day!
Yes! Great job on marketing, on working on your WIP, for stepping out and inviting Barry Lyga to be on your site! What a great idea! I missed WEP in August, but will see what I can do this month…
I think you always do a great job with descriptions. Best of luck on the new WIP. Can't wait to meet Barry!
Thanks Elizabeth. Hope you liked his interview.
Saw your WEP August post and really liked it. Congrats on your new ms!! Also saw your newsletter Lee and wanted to sign up. My email box is a huge mess right now. Sorry. If I could get Outlook to divert newsletters to a special folder consistently, I'd do it. My rule settings have a mind of their own. Frustrating 🙁
Hi Sharon. I don't have a newsletter. I just am sending out special offers once a month. I can't even consider doing a newsletter and stay sane. Sorry about the Outlook issue. I finally set up a server-side email and try to keep newsletter coming in there. So much to do, right?
Congrats on getting your 4 year project in shape so the editor liked it. I have one I worked on for much longer, but I'm not sure I could fix it.
When to stop is the question!
Congrats on completing your manuscript! I'm sure the author will like it, they asked to read it after all 🙂
– Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
You're taking chances, experimenting, and it's paying off. Keep going! 🙂
Yay for finishing! Sometimes that's the biggest hurdle. Now it's just revising. 🙂 Also, you are still moving forward in spite of insecurities, so you're winning this battle. Good luck and keep it up!
Congrats on finishing the manuscript! That's definitely not something to be insecure about, but I can understand how sending it out can be terrifying!
Guess we all have that feeling.
Congrats on finishing your manuscript and I bet the author you sent it to will love it! Best of luck with your WIP. Just take your time and you'll create something really good. 🙂
Appreciate the encouragement, Chrys. It always helps.
The best thing is that despite your concerns you forged ahead and did all those things anyway. Way to go.
Susan Says
Lots of teeth grinding during this process, Susan. My dentist is going to cringe. Thanks for the great comment.
It is super scary to have our work read by people we love and admire, but I know you have some awesome writing to share, so I'm sure it's great! 🙂
You, like the other authors here, do understand. Isn't it great to have IWSG?
Congratulations on finishing your ms. Wow, that is a huge deal. I've been stuck on chapter 42 of my WIP for over a year. I keep revising the first 41 chapters. At least they're showing promise. Now if I could just finish this thing! Happy IWSG, Lee!
I hear you about that loop! Well, keep at it and something will happen to get you past 42. I was forever at chapter 25 on this one. Then Whamo! Break through and The End.
It's always scary when we put our work out there for others to critique. It takes a lot of trust. Even if it gets ripped apart, it can be a learning experience to help make us better writers.
I do value my crit group. Without them I don't think I'd have the courage to put anything out for public consumption.
It appears you do some good work with your insecurities!
Can't stay in bed all day, right?
Lots of insecurity there, but you've got it covered. You always do a good job.
Not always. But I try for frequently. 🙂
I love Fall. It's my favorite season. Just wish it would cool off. Been a hot and sticky summer.
Man do I hear you on that front.
Greetings to you and best wishes!
Lots of good news in there amongst the angst. I'd say you'd conquered it!
Congratulations!
I'm sitting on it. So far it's under control. 🙂
Make something good!
Congrats on finishing your manuscript.
Thanks, Diane. Making something good is a goal I have.
The insecurities never go away, they just hide for a while then jump out at the worst times.
I think you need to quote, too. (I've been sharing it a lot this week.)
"You doubt because you care, and that can only lead to great things."
IWSG #119 until Alex culls the list again
That is a good quote. Caring leads to a lot of doubt. Thanks, Melissa.
Special Offers Mailing List … I keep putting off designing a monthly newsletter, but things like this keep popping up reminding me that I should. Oh, geez…I need a personal assistant who has way more clue about this stuff than I do. I've been doing research, but there's so much other there I'm getting dizzy.
Nice job with the manuscript. It will all work out.
I would love a personal assistant. It's on my list believe me. Thanks for the support as always.
A little experimenting is never a bad thing, could turn out great, if not, at least you'll know what works and what doesn't.
Good point. So Hi Ho, Hi Ho. It's off to work I go. Hey, that rhymes.
Congrats on the finish! That's big. Yup, the hard part is waiting for that feedback, but it will all be great. I'm sure of that!
Keep your fingers crossed for me. Well, no. On second thought you need to keep writing. Just think of me when you have time. 🙂
If your favourite editor has liked it I am sure the author will love it too 🙂
Hi Rachna! Thanks for stopping in to comment and help this insecure writer.
Hi Lee – well done on completing the book and as Alex says I'm sure the author will love it, especially as the editor already approves. Asking Barry to visit and guest on your site was a brilliant idea .. and I was so pleased to see Barry there.
Your WIP will be fine – there's always a story or two .. what you expect or that which sneaks up on you … good luck with completing it .. cheers Hilary
You're a great blogging friend, Hilary. Appreciate the years you've been here to cheer me on!
A wonderful post to read Lee. Good luck with your writing and may the results be good.
Take care and have a good day.
Yvonne.
Thanks Yvonne. Glad to see you're feeling better.
I'm sure the author will dig it.
I think I signed up for your newsletter. Let me know if I didn't!
It's so hard to know what I sign up for anymore. I've got lists that tell me to go to other lists. I'll check and let you know. Thanks. You're always so supportive of writers.