I've read a lot of debut author e-books this week, some of them I've been unable to finish and some have been fantastic.
I also read on the LoveCats blog something Lilian Darcy said that struck me. She said she had her first novel accepted by Harlequin Mills & Boon and in a way she wishes she didn't because she had to learn her craft and improve her story-telling in the public eye.
When I put both of this week's things together, I realise that I'm still in the learning phase and although I get frustrated at rejections and critiques, for me it's better to have that than to alienate potential readers by putting up 'still-learning' work.
I don't like public embarrassment. I've tougher it out for years but I hate it. Deep down it erodes at me, even though you'd probably not guess that from the outside.
I need a thicker skin. I need work on my craft. I need time for my learning, and time for my writing. I don't want to rush this journey. I have short stories published and I'm stoked by that.
I'm incredibly impatient, but I also want quality. So it comes back to patience. And that's what I've learned this week.
As frustrating as it is I agree, Cate. But we *will* get there :)
ReplyDeleteWe sure will :)
DeleteHi Cate,
ReplyDeleteMy CP says exactly the same thing. I'm going through this awful doubt period right now with my book on the 'imminent' publication list for March. These revisions are freaking me out because having them makes everything such a definite. It's like: ye Gods, this book will be out and people can see it and OMG they will all think I'm a fraud... they'll all get the red pens out and start picking up every little thing.
Then I have to quantify along the lines of: the publisher liked it enough to offer to publish it. The editor likes it too (even if I don't use commas properly, apparently).
And so I'm trying to stay positive.
It's crazy really. I want so much to write and be published. And now, the thought of it terrifies me.
Good post Cate.
Lily M.
(I missed some step in the comment - I think it comes up anon... it's just me!)
Hey Lily,
DeleteIt's kind of terrifying process, isn't it? And then when it comes out, it happens all over again. I gave up reading reviews because I was making myself ill worrying. I think you just have to write, learn, keep learning, and wear your tough armour :)
Good luck with your freaking out!
Cate xox