Tuesday 8 May 2012

Is it folly?

Like so many other new authors out there I have moments when I feel like giving up. During my writing process I am so immersed in the story that my doubts don't linger in my mind. It's the aftermath that the story leaves in its wake that I find hardest to deal with.
I love my stories, but while half of me knows that others will like my them too the other half is simply hoping that the former is right!! After a while I will question whether or not it's worth carrying on, whether it's something I'm cut out for. Because the stories aren't enough. They can be the greatest story ever in your mind but if you can't write them down and tell the story in a manner fitting for the reader, then what is the point? It is one of the hardest lessons I am learning as a brand new author.

Critic is good and when it is an honest critic it can be the most helpful thing to a writer, yet it still remains the hardest thing to hear and it will leave me questioning whether or not I am up to the challenge. Now working alongside a great editor, I am hoping for my writing to progress further. I also keep in my mind that you can't please all the people all the time. There are, after all, people out there that don't like the Harry Potter books or the Twilight books and I wonder how that's possible?? But it is. Even though all this is true I dare not compare myself to either of those writers or any other writer, I like to think of myself as a singular otherwise I might go crazy.

There is so many difficult things to overcome as a new author, but there is a lot of advice too. I have found that through networking on sites like Twitter and Goodreads, I've managed to meet so many other new and great writers that are going through the same thing. Also others that have been there before and have now come out of it on the other side with their sanity intact and, more importantly, they are still writing. Thanks to reading so much of the advice out there I have plenty of pools stored in my brain to dip in to whenever I get the 'self-doubties' and trust me I get them often!!! So I am still pushing forward and progressing with my writing but also my attitude towards it, I'm hoping that I will be able to turn the negatives in to positives more frequently and hopefully a bit quicker than I do at the moment!! Who knows, in the future the negatives may get less and less too and that can't be a bad thing.....can it?

Ann
xx

4 comments:

  1. I get the doubts on a daily basis. It's difficult being a self published author, or any type of author I'm sure, but as long as we keep trying, we can never fail, only when you have given up, have you failed. Keep your chin up, and keep those words coming! :-)

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  2. Agreed Alicia, such a hard journey.

    I certainly wouldn't want to give up though. As you say, that is when you've failed.

    Thanks for the support Alicia, we are lucky to have a great self pub community!! :-) xx

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  3. Ann,
    Great blog post! I have the same insecurities. My wife is unbelieveably optimistic and balances me out when I start doubting. It's good to have someone like that. I have just published my first book a couple weeks ago, and am starting on book 2. I am trying to walk the self-marketing/social media path, but simply am not good at it. I am employed full time and trying to write at the same time. Throw in three kids and I am probably insane. I want to review other new writers books and become part of the writer's community online. It's simply tough to find time though. This post made me check out your books, and I don't see any reviews on Amazon. All this babbling adds up to I want to read your first book and will review it for you. I might not get it done super quick, but I will commit to you that I will do it. I can post it on whatever sites you like. One thing though... Well, tell you what, email me and we can discuss: almich.mike@gmail.com. Hang in there and email me as soon as you can!
    Mike

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  4. Thanks Mike,

    I would love for you to review my work, I will email you asap.

    Thanks for the support.

    Ann
    xx

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