Happy May, everyone!
A new month means it's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group post!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
Thanks to Alex for organizing the IWSG, and May's awesome hosts - having done it last month, I know how tough hosting can be - you guys are all rock stars! <3
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Back in March (OMG! Has it been that long?!) I finished the first draft of my new-adult, paranormal-romance, The Order of the Ancile: Book One.
Those of you who're already published might not find this a big deal. For me it's HUGE. It brings the total of novels I've completed a first draft of to TWO!
I have a handful of incomplete novels, most of which fell apart, and I lost interest in, when I got about ¾ of the way through, and started revising. Revisions are HARD for me. Once other people give me feedback, and I start seeing the flaws in my story, my willpower flees and I give in.
Sure, I can go back to these abandoned drafts in the future, and every draft is experience and growth. Now I'm at revisions stage again, I'm slightly alarmed by how well it's going.
In the past week, I've given my novel a read through, catching any obvious typos, and I'm amazed at how cohesive it is. Usually, by this point, I'm finding plot holes, and weak writing.
Not this time!
But now I'm wondering, have the years of practice paid off? Have my skills improved enough and my writing is stronger? Or am I actually blind to all the flaws, and kidding myself?
I'm scared once I hand this baby over to my CPs, they're going to read it and go "Erm, Clare, WTF are you thinking? This is crap!"
Okay, maybe not that harsh. My CPs are lovely, and I think my story is good. But is it good enough? I don't just mean good enough that my CPs, and close friends will like it. I mean good enough that publishers will be interested. Good enough that if it's released, I won't get a million horrible reviews.
I've spent almost a year and a half on this thing. What happens, after all this time, if I'm just not that good a writer? What happens if this love story I've invented, with twists and turns along the way, fails to elicit an emotional reaction in anyone who reads it? What happens if my characters aren't as likeable and relatable as I hoped? What happens if my villain is non-threatening, and no one can take the danger in the story seriously?
I know I'll never be able to please everyone, and I'll never know if my stories are any good if I don't share them, but right now, the idea of putting them out there for the world to see, scares the bejesus out of me, and I'm tempted just to leave my stories where they are – on my hard drive – for only me to see!
So, there you have it. What I'm feeling insecure about this month. Please feel free to share your own writing insecurity in the comments. A problem shared is a problem halved, as they say ...
Don't panic! CPs will guide you, but you have to do two things. Trust in their honesty, and trust in how you feel. You're right, you can't please everyone but as long as you are happy with what you have created, and you have good feedback from your CPs, there's nothing to worry about. Stay positive! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice. I trust my CPs, they're awesome. But, I dunno, since seeing the nasty side of reviews/ Goodreads, it's got me worried.
DeleteI will keep your advice in mind though, and trust my gut and my awesome CPs. I know one for sure never let's me down! ;) <3
Every time I see a writer in distress, it hurts. But after all these years, and there have been plenty, I think the insecurities are part of the package. The biggies even have insecurities. I think those insecurities fuel our creativity. So, the next time you're feeling insecure, cheer! It means you're full of creativity!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by, Joylene! And you're completely right, insecurities do fuel creativity, and spur us on to do our best, so we can prove those insecurities wrong!
DeleteTrust yourself; if you think it's good, then most likely it is. If there are any problems, they'll probably be minor ones that are easy to fix.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the advice, Laura! I'm usually pretty good at trusting myself, but lately I've seen the harsher side of review, and it shook me a little!
DeleteI had the sad experience this year of taking a break from self publishing Sacrifice HER because right now I'm just not feeling my manuscript. Don't let that happen to you. Keep going and don't let anything stop you Clare.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you've had to take a break from self-publishing Sacrifice HER. I hope the break helps your writing, though. And thank you for the encouragement, Sheena-kay; much appreciated. :)
DeleteI find feedback the most rewarding part of the writing process (I might be a glutton for punishment). Hopefully your readers will be sportive, but also give you some great feedback. Go with you gut.
ReplyDeleteI love positive feedback, and knowing I've reached someone with something I've written makes it all worthwhile ... it's just the harsh underside of that I don't like. But I will try my best to trust my gut, and my CPs.
DeleteI bet it's because you've become a better writer! I usually doubt my stuff, but I felt good about my third book. I bet your critique partners love it.
ReplyDeleteI hope so! Glad to hear you're feeling confident about your third book. I hope it goes really well for you. :)
DeleteOh my goodness, I can totally relate. In the end we have to trust our guts. No way around it. And that's what CP's are for. They rock while helping us avoid putting out crap out into the world. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteS.K.Anthony: IWSG
Hey S.K. Thanks for dropping in. Yeah, I will try my best to trust my gut and my CPs. I know they'd never lie to me, so I should be okay. :)
DeleteI have that feeling every single time I write something. You've got to trust yourself and your CPs. I bet you'll surprise yourself! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm usually okay, but recently seeing a lot of negative reviews for things online has me questioning everything. I know my CPs won't let me down, though, so I should be in good hands. :)
DeleteDo you like what you've done? If you're not sure put it away for a month and start on something else. Then go back and reread your work. Fix what you don't like and take it to your CPs. I'm sure they'll like it too.
ReplyDeleteWe are all out there on that weak branch, taking chances. You can do it too. :-)
Anna from Shout with Emaginette
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Anna. Taking breaks is great, and the month I took away from my project in April really helped.
DeleteCongrats on getting two novels completed. That is an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna! :D
DeleteYou're one step farther than me! I'm still debating who and when to get my manuscript out! I know it needs to be done, but man, I'm procrastinating. I feel like a stubborn two-year-old.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your CPs will all do your novel justice!!
Just because I'm thinking of sending it to my CPs doesn't actually mean I will though! LOL I know what you mean about being stubborn, and not wanting to let go. I'm sure once you do though, it will be worth it, and your CPs will love it.
DeleteAnd, if you ever need an extra pair of eyes, all you have to do is ask. :)
Congrats! That's a huge accomplishment. I'm sure your CPs will give you great insights.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I trust my CPs, so I'm sure I'll be fine! :D
Delete