Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Insecure Writer's Support Group...


Holy Crap! (Pardon my language...) It is that time of the month again and I am not talking about female issues...

I'm talking about Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group!

So do I want to be an inspiration this time or a whiner? I've been whining enough lately I think, so perhaps I will go the route of inspiration!

So you're a new writer, eh? Think you have what it takes to get your book done and out there? Are you ready for that kind of commitment? Seriously, this isn't a "Of course I'm ready for commitment" kind of date just to get it in the sack and then ignore its phone calls until it finally gives up and you have moved on.... And by 'it' I mean your book.

Your book and its characters will stalk you. Editing will give you nightmares. Query letters will put you in the loony bin bound up in a straight jacket.

So where is this inspiration I spoke of?

Well, think of this. You have a book, all nice and shiny. Finished. Complete! You have submitted it to agents/publishers and you got accepted! Your book comes out, your successful, you do blog hops and book signings. You went to war with all of the above and you WON!!

The road to get there is paved with your blood, sweat and tears. This isn't a picnic, you know, but the rewards in the end are so worth it. Ask any author who has come to the end of the road, ask them if they would do it all over again to get to that final place. The answer would be a resounding, "YES!".

Of course, the winding road won't look like the pic above. It'd look more like the road to Hell.

But that's okay. You have created something special, wonderful and unique. You have people reading and reviewing your book. Most people like it. I say most simply because you'll get the oddball "Troll" out there who will post a snarky review because they have nothing better to do than try to elicit a response to their negativity giving them a false sense of power.

Or, they just don't like it.

That is okay, you can't please everyone. But you will please a good majority of them! So work hard, wipe that sweat from your brow when it comes down to crunch time. Cry when you are frustrated. Bleed a little when you get harsh criticism. Those cuts will heal, you'll develop a thicker skin and you will emerge Victorious!!

In the end, it will all be worth the pain, torment and frustration. It's like having a child, raising it and sending it out into the world to stand on its own two feet. You'll be very proud of it and yeah, you will want to do it again.

16 comments:

Jennie Bennett said...

Ha ha, love the stewy reference :)

Patricia JL said...

Great post for the Insecure Writer's support group. I published my book at the end of August and I would (and am) do it again.

Isis Rushdan said...

Wow. I'm not sure if I'm frightened or motivated :). Just joking. Although the path to publication looking like the road to hell was a little scary. Completely understand your point. This is a tough business which requires us to toughen up. In the end, we will be victorious.

Sometimes we need someone like you to tell us this.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'll sic the troll hunter on them!
Funny, once you reach that destination, you realize the journey has just begun.

Jamie Gibbs said...

Ha, that's a pretty damn good summary of the journey. One I look forward to starting on :D

Mel Chesley said...

Well you know, sometimes I can be as scary as this journey we've all decided to take. Most people think we're nuts anyway, so I'm fine with proving them right. ;)

And where is that Troll Hunter, I need to borrow him. lol!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I like the inspiration you site. I'm envisioning the book and it does help to drive one forward in the pursuit of publication. Thank you for being insecure with all of us for a day :)

Mary Aalgaard said...

Great words of encouragement. It is worth the labor pains! Thanks for finding and following me. Followed you back!

M Pax said...

It is a rough road, and publication is just the beginning of another road. Carry on writing warriors. :) We need some spears and a roaring chant.

Tyrean Martinson said...

You made me laugh and inspired me to get back to work . . . on that road, err, book. Thanks!

Mel Chesley said...

@ Michael~ I'm always glad to be of insecure service. ;)

@Mary~ Thanks for following!

@M Pax~ Yes, Writing Warriors need a roaring chant!

@Tyrean~ Glad I could make you laugh and inspire. ;)

Ellen Brickley said...

I loved this post. I especially loved this line:

"You have created something special, wonderful and unique."

Everyone who writes a book needs to remember this :D

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Hi, Mel! I love your mantra: you can't please everyone--that's something I live by.

Let me tell you about the business side of the book: once your book is accepted, there no happily ever after.

Like a marriage, you've got to push your book. No one can push your book like you can and it isn't pretty paved emerald roads we walk once there! ;)



♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

Melissa Sugar said...

I love your inspirational post. I often visualize how I will feel at a book signing for example as motivation to keep going

Mel Chesley said...

@ Elizabeth ~ True, there is no happily ever after. You still have to push and nag and worry just like you would over a kid who is out on their own. You never stop worrying or working for that matter.

@ Melissa ~ Good visualization motivation! :D Nice to meet you.

S. L. Hennessy said...

New follower and fellow insecure writer here. GREAT post! Haha, I LOVE the Stewy picture at the end! But definitely great (and inspirational post). :)
- http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/