Today, my insecurity is just wondering if I suck or not. As my publishing date looms, I almost feel like bagging the whole thing and stuffing my book into a box somewhere and never letting it see the light of day. I just don't have any confidence in myself. However, against this cowardly inner voice is that of my friend Kathy. Over Thanksgiving I gave her an ARC to read and she's already finished it. She told me she thought it was incredible which made me feel really good. It was the right kind of random input given at just the right moment to make me shake off my issues with my writing. Do any of you hear those voices? The kind that whisper to you that you suck? I hate those voices.
The other part of today's post is an interview. I was checking my inbox the other day, and I came across an email addressed to moi asking if I'd like to be interviewed. I instantly thought, this is going to be fun! I've never been interviewed before. So if you'd like to check it out, please go visit the lovely >>> click>>> Leigh Covington at her amazing blog.
I'm just tickled because I got to talk about my book. No one ever wants to talk about my book. I'm not saying that's a bad thing...that's just what writers are like, you know? They talk about their books, and expect you to listen. I'm content doing that because someone has to listen, you know? I try very hard to be a good listener because I don't think people get listened to enough (not even Alex and he has a whole lot of people listening to him).
Finally, I want to say that I appreciate all the support from the "to read" clickers on my goodreads sparkling cookie gif featured on the right.
Now for some Wednesday witchcraft.
On the gif below, place your hand in the center of the image and the dots will appear to move faster.
You're welcome.
Happy Wednesday!
I think I should interview you for my blog except I can't ever think of any good questions for that kind of thing.
ReplyDeletePeople listening to me? Crap, I have nothing to say!
ReplyDeleteThe "I think I suck" doesn't stop after the book is released. (Not to scare you, but it gets worse.) You just balance it out by listening to those who don't think you suck.
Hee. Hee. That's a good one. Listen, it's not your job to judge the quality of your own work. Writers are often lousy at this. It's the editor's job. And after that the story belongs to the reader.
ReplyDeleteGoing to check out the interview.
@Grumpy: Maybe you can host me for my blog tour in May? I have no idea what time of year is appropriate for a blog tour. Alex seems to be doing his after his book is released so I figure that's when I'll do mine...like a week or two after it comes out in May. I was gonna hit you up for it in like March seeing as you write five weeks worth of posts ahead of time.
ReplyDelete@Alex: O.o
@Deb: Thanks for visiting :)
Alex is right, it gets worse once the book is out. I received a few brutal reviews. One or two were even personal attacks. I try to focus on the great reviews. Everyone has an opinion, just know your work was picked up by a publisher because they believe in it. Now, you need to have faith and keep writing.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel insecure! Your book sounds awesome! I can't wait for it to be released. Then we'll all be buying it and throwing out reviews! Whoo-hoo!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your willingness to be interviewed, and I'm glad we got to talk about your book! :)
Aack! I just remembered that I haven't gone back into Goodreads and figured out why my "To Read" didn't register for your book and only shows up in my account. Because I'm definitely going to read your book, Michael.
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible with interviews (you can ask the several curators I pestered for a class once, it was awful on my end) or I'd poke you with a stick, badger and spoon.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've noticed with blog tours is they start about a week before a book releases, follow through that release week and then culminate a week after the book's out. The best way I imagine to arrange a tour would be to ask the folks of blogs you know have a high traffic and an audience that might have a taste for your book. Misha has done several guests on blog tours, hit her up for some advice or to be put in touch with the people that have used her blog to do a tour.
Your release date will be here before you know it (no pressure there), so it's good you are planning your blog tour now. As for the doubts...I AM QUEEN. Umm...that visual trick hurts my eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, I'm a new follower from Alex's Insecure Writer's Project (although I keep forgetting to do a post).
ReplyDeleteI think all writers have those times when they feel like they suck. I definitely have moments where I question the ridiculous amount of hubris I have to expect anyone would actually want to read my words...but then something good happens and I move on. Sounds like your something good is the interview. Congratulations!
No one has commented about the optical illusion? I spent like five minutes playing around with it on my own. Sheesh you guys are a tough crowd.
ReplyDeleteThat is frikkin' cool! What was I going to say in my comment? I was busy playing with the gif, hehe!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah! I would LOVE to hear about your book so I am heading over to the interview now. Super exciting! Being interviewed is fun!
I'm right there with ya. I hear those stupid voices all the time. You suck! You suck! Your second book is even worse!
ReplyDeleteI hate those voices. But I think everyone feels this way. I've had great feedback on my stories, but it won't be until I throw them out there for the world to read that I will know for sure. Worst case scenario--I really do suck. But then I will know. At that point, I will try my hand at singing :)
I'm off to check out your interview now.
And YEAH--those dots are flying! Crazy. I did it like a dozen times.
you hit it spot-on why I got a bird feeder ;)
ReplyDelete...and I'd have to say, since your book is published/about to come out, then you certainly don't suck ;)
as soon as I saw the optical illusion, I understood how it worked, but it's cool none-the-less
We all have those days where we think we suck. Your blog is great, and if that's any indication of your book, then don't worry. It will receive lots of love.
ReplyDeleteThat dot thing is freaking my eyes out.
Whoa. Trippy.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your writing is amazing. I think every writer goes through the same I-suck insecurity. When you're all done, you'll be shining, like that...ooh, sparkly. I can stare that thing for hours. Hypnotic trance. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the optical illusion! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't write books but I have a voice that says, "You Suck!" about life in general. lol Hey, it keeps us humble, right? No, it is actually a bad thing. I try to ignore it and say nice things to myself.
I wanted to say something profound but all I can do is keep touching my computer screen. I suck ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm always amazingly confident about my writing until it's time to show it to someone, and then I SUCK the almighty big one. Every time I show my writing to someone, it doesn't even matter if they like it, I go into a funk for a week knowing I suck as a writer. True.
ReplyDeleteAnd that visual is just like driving in a blizzard. Hypnotizing.
I have days on end when I think I suck, I'm not sure there's anyone who writes who doesn't. Objectively, having your book published has got to be a sign of non-suckdom, right? By the way, if you have any room left on your planned blog tour, I'd be happy to host.
ReplyDeleteI'll be over to Leigh's to read your interview later. I like her, she cheers me up :-)
And I love me some optical illusions.
Take a deep breath and publish it. I often live in "I-Suck" land, too. A common address for many of us. Will go check out your interview.
ReplyDeleteYou don't suck. I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteObviously, your book doesn't suck or it wouldn't have been accepted.
ReplyDeleteThe illustion seems to work better on my home computer...
PS: You might want to check my blog again. ;)
I think the "I suck" feeling continues even when people often tell you your book is good. For me, I think it's because I know I could have done it better as my writing improves over time. So I shove that "I suck" feeling into a closet, walk away, and do better on my next project!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
Being me, I had to try the hand thing. :) I'm not sure any writer ever gets over feeling inadequate - well unless you're a mega super star. Going to check out the interview.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your interview and opportunity to talk about your book! I'm headed over to check it out ...
ReplyDeleteI think anyone who does something that other people can judge (writing or otherwise) has voices that say "you suck".
ReplyDeleteI love optical illusions . . . both looking at them and trying to figure out how they work.
I totally have that voice! Good thing there are so many awesome people on the blogosphere :)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I hear that kind of voice sometimes. Usually when other stuff in life has gone horribly wrong and I'm feeling crap anyway. That's when I take a step back from the writing & recover from life's other crap.
ReplyDeleteI was going to comment about your interview and stuff, but I am straight up TRIPPIN' on that optical illusion. I've been staring at it for about five minutes straight.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm traveling to another dimension.
Glad you had someone there to give you a vote of confidence! Those self-doubt days suck.
ReplyDeleteBut... but... my hand covers the whole thing...>:|
ReplyDeleteDealing with "I suck" thoughts can be tough. The trick is to separate them from your emotions. I'm pretty sure this is -the- trick, too, not -my- trick. Any time people can divorce themselves from their emotions and look at things objectively, they can see the truth.
Of course, the truth -might- be that you suck, but even that can be good to know.
Not that I'm saying -you- suck, because I can see from your blog that you have the whole writing thing down. A blog can tell a lot about a person (as I will talk about in a post if I ever take it beyond the title and some notes).
Anyway... I'm way off track here, so I'll go read that interview, now.
I hate the "I suck" land for sure! Hang in there, it'll pass. You've got us around to get you through it. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the psychedelic picture. :)
I know that insecurity well. I thought writers were supposed to give you a chance to talk about your book after you listen to them. Well, some are just rude.
ReplyDeleteI'm just happy I'm not the only one who thinks they suck. Misery loves company I suppose. I'm pretty excited that your book's release date got moved up. I figured you were keeping mum about it until your big release explosion coming in the spring.
ReplyDeleteYou are on my "To Read" list! I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI too struggle with the "I suck" dilemma occasionally. That's why this IWSG is so important. We have to stick together! :)
If you didn't have the feeling that you sucked, you'd probably be an arrogant asshole that no one wanted to know, including your fellow bloggers (and obviously you have lots of blogging followers who comment and support you, Michael). It's human to feel like your creative efforts aren't good enough and that no one will like it. It's tough to put yourself out there. And frankly I think those emotions are a good and healthy thing even. Hemingway was very insecure but refused to admit it or address it and he was very, very destructive in how he related to other writers. Even called Fitzgerald (FITZGERALD!!!) a hack. And Fitzgerald was head and shoulders over Hemingway in the "who is a more skilled craftsman" category.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I am bad about updating my to-reads shelf - must get on that. And yes, I've heard that inner monstrous self-critic that says that my writing sucks, but I just keep writing anyway past all the suckiness and into the fun stuff, and then beyond that into stuff that is challenging . . and so on. Just keep writing, just keep believing in your talent, and keep writing more! Plus, remind the rest of us self-involved writers to listen some time . . .I think we can, when we're reminded.
ReplyDeleteThose "I suck" thougts come with the writer's personality. Good thing for friends who know you don't suck. I'll go check out your novel and see what it is about.
ReplyDeleteThat optical thing made my eyes hurt. I think I'm just tired . .
........dhole
I am in a trance from your optical illusion. I don't know how I scrolled down to write your 41st comment or if I'll even find my bed tonight. But I do know that you do not "suck." Julie
ReplyDeleteThe snow hurt me - you must be testing out an evil scheme to take over the world with digital snow.
ReplyDeleteI had a friend once who told me at the lowest time in my life, "You are strong." Those words are louder in my mind (most days) than the negative ones.
I'll tell ya what I told M. Pax who is worrying about the same thing - the only people who don't worry about sucking, are the people who actually suck. Ergo, you don't suck.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of sucking thank you for filling in my blanks. I just may sub "banker" w/ "Bernie Madoff" and we'll have a winner!
I cannot look at those dots!
ReplyDeleteIt's supposed to be true that by the time you finish edits for your book, you're sick of your own book. I can't wait to read it (and I'm being honest, per the post above).
There will be those who tell you that you do suck - just be ready for it and you'll be okay.
ReplyDelete"As my publishing date looms, I almost feel like bagging the whole thing and stuffing my book into a box somewhere and never letting it see the light of day. I just don't have any confidence in myself."
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh, I have no idea what that is like...no idea at all. *cough* Sadly, it doesn't seem to go away, even after multiple books out there. At least not for me. I don't quite know what else to say except that you have to keep believing in yourself despite everything, or you will end up quitting. I've come close several times - and lately, too. My hubby is keeping me sane somehow, thank goodness.
If you ever want to talk on the phone, I'm happy to chat. Just let me know in an email. :)
@Michelle: Thank you for your fantastic support. :) You are amazing.
ReplyDelete