I think the insecurity I have with my writing these days has to do with wondering whether or not my ideas are as fun and interesting as I think they are. I have a lot of fun spending time with my characters. A lot of fun thinking about them, and designing scenarios for them that work within the greater plot/storyline I've built. But what if people read about Jordan and think...how boring. Is anything ever gonna happen? Is he ever going to become interesting. My first book comes out in two months. I guess I'll find out.
Anyway...that's it. Now I'll go and check out yours.
Nice post! I bet you are excited about your book launch, not surprising you biting your nails :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to worry about that with Jordan. There is a lot of interesting stuff going on in that book. :)
ReplyDeleteAs I've said before, you are an interesting person and I can't imagine anything less from Jordan. Plus, I've read some reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's no way you can be interesting and fun on your blog and Not write interesting and fun stuff. But hey, you're a writer, insecurity is what makes you try harder...I think. But hell, what do I know? I'm not even pub'd yet.
ReplyDeleteThere are 500+ people on here who thik you're interesting :)
ReplyDeleteI suppose that's where your critique partners and beta readers come in handy. They'll be able to point out where the characters need to be more interesting. Just make sure you trust their judgement :)
Two months. This is so exciting! I am so happy for you. I'm headed to New York tomorrow. I'll mention your book to some of my friends and family up there.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely something I can relate to. I feel the exact same way about my work. But yours must be awesome, because it is going to be published! Good luck with it!
ReplyDelete*note to self: sign up for Insecure Writer's Support Group if the posts are like this*
ReplyDeleteAs usual, great posts and blog. And yesterday's post was fantastic. I love reading other viewpoints when name-calling and assigning fictional attributes is NOT a part of the equation.
fingers crossed for your new book, Michael!
ReplyDeleteThat is always a problem and there's no way to no for sure until you show it to other people.
ReplyDeleteTrust your instincts. Over 500 people follow you because they must have liked something you said and because you're cute,of course.
ReplyDeleteIn two months I'm sure you'll be a huge success, or a huger success. Hang in there, you're closer than you think.
I'm sure your book will be great. I know I'm looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteI would imagine waiting for a book release would definitely make the insecurities surface. I think you'll do great. You posts here are never boring, so I wouldn't think your stories would be.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes worry about that too. But then i shrug and say, at least i'm having fun. And honestly, i think that's the most important thing to build a successful career.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to read your book when it come out!
I've been feeling this about my story lately too. I think I've just spent so much time with it there's nothing fresh feeling about it anymore.
ReplyDeleteBut everything in your novel will be fresh and new and exciting to your readers. Good luck. It's getting close to the release!
Not an alien thought at all. I often wonder if people will get my story, without being judgemental about the subject matter and whether the women are as interesting as I think. My guess is that this is quite common among us scribblers. There should be a name for it. :)
ReplyDeleteNice shout out for Alex, after I hit the publish button I thought, oh, I should have said something about his novel so you bared your soul and promoted a friend, Kudos. I think everyone worries they will be boring. Sometimes I sweat it over my comments. But from what you've described I don't think boring fits. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYeah... that's one I don't have a good response to. It's like telling a joke that no one laughs at. Don't explain, just go on to the next one and hope it's better.
ReplyDeleteThere's a great exchange between Fozzy and Kermit:
Fozzy: I've just written the funniest joke in the world!
Kermit: It wasn't funny.
Fozzy: I have a better one!
I think you would tell me something along these lines. .
ReplyDeleteWho cares what anyone else thinks? Your writing is brilliant and meaningful to you. When it's released the people who need to find it will and they'll love it as much as you. If you loved the story and the writing, that's all that matters.
Consider this my way of kicking your butt back into the writing chair.
As an author who is also at the nail biting stage wondering what will people think--
ReplyDeleteI just keep reminding myself that some readers are going to love it and some are going to hate it. So why is it easier to imagine the hating than the loving?
Good luck!
Hi, Michael,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your banner. I guess I haven't been by in a while.
Knowing the kind of charisma you have in the blogosphere, I totally doubt any reader will find your character/book boring.
THAT is something you should never be insecure about!
YOU Boring? LOL Michael!
ReplyDeleteTwo months! You should have a countdown clock on your blog to convey the excitement.
ReplyDeleteYou should try being like me. I always assume I am the most interesting person in the room. Since I spend a great deal of my time alone, that is true much of the time. Of course, then, I'm also the LEAST interesting person in the room. I never thought of it that way. My God, I'm dull! How can I stand to be with myself?
Then I go play Tickle Chase with Mr F and Mr Bunches, and stop worrying.
I think it's only natural to feel that way, but there's nothing you can do about it, and it's more fun to focus on the good possibilities, of which there are many.
ReplyDeletemood
I think most writers wonder that at one point or another about their characters. And I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. :)
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to have those insecurities right before a book launch! So excited for you!!
ReplyDeleteI think that's perfectly natural. Or at least SHOULD be! It's the people that never wonder that you have to worry about. :) Two months away! So exciting! I was just thinking how VERY FAR AWAY my 18 months 6 days is.
ReplyDeleteI think we all have those worries. At least some publisher believes in you. I'm sure it'll be great.
ReplyDeleteI wonder the same thing! Well, not that your ideas are as great as you think they are, but if my ideas are as great as I think they are.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused now. Lol
I think if you have fun writing about Jordan - we are going to like him. :)
ReplyDeleteI can definitely relate. We writers can be our own worst critics.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your book launch, and thanks for reminding me about IWSG - I should give myself a calendar reminder for it or somethin'.
ReplyDeleteBut I should have a great story of writerly insecurity tonight - I'm going to go through the 'Monastery' exercise for Holly Lisle's How to Revise your Novel course this evening, and I'm already feeling anxious about it!
I don't blame you for being insecure. If I had a book coming out, I would be too. But your publisher believes in you. I wish you the best.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed your posts, so I have a feeling your book is going to be great!
There should be a name for this. You're over the hard work of finishing the novel, the excitement of selling it, and now you're in waiting mode. And while in waiting mode, that's when you have time to worry and second-guess.
ReplyDeleteThis is normal. Now you have time to reflect on what you could have done better. You have time to doubt. Ignore that voice. It isn't doing you any good.
If you had fun writing it then that will come through to the reader!
ReplyDeleteI think a million people posted for the IWSG today because it's taken me this long just to get through the stack to you!
I often have the same worry.
ReplyDeleteI have no clue if you ever play silly little writers' games, but I've tagged you for one on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://lisashafer.blogspot.com/2012/03/lucky-sevens.html
The important thing is that they are your characters, they are your handy work ( I do not want to offend some religious people otherwise I would call them your creations, I mean your characters.) Have fun with them, be kind to them and sometimes if you can create magic you can even make your bad guys have the charisma of getting some sympathy from your readers. Do not undermine or under think yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf you find them interesting then I suspect other people who find you interesting will also find them interesting. If that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteIf the author cares about the story, readers probably will as well. And being so close to the book launch must be having an effect!
ReplyDeleteWriter's are cruel critics - of their own work. If you're doubting your work, or are just nervous about it, it's just being writerly - your readers (and followers) won't be. We can't wait to read your book and support you!
ReplyDeletefirst, love your new header!
ReplyDelete2nd, yay for your book!
and third, some will like, some will love, some will not
your target audience is who you should care about and they will love, i know it!
I won't tell you not be nervous. The nerves are all part of the experience!
ReplyDeleteNow think of everything you've heard another author complain about or get excited about after the launch of his or her books. Now sub in your author name and book name for theirs. EVERYTHING will happen to you and your books, given enough time. People will find them wonderful and will love them. Others, notsomuch. It will all happen. Keep working on the next book. The next book will put your energy into something productive. :-)
Sounds like a pretty normal worry for an author.
ReplyDeleteAnd Michael's probably thinking, but my fiction writing isn't anything like my blog writing. ^^
ReplyDeleteYour ideas, I can tell you they are marvelous just from the snippets and blurbs you've posted. I couldn't find them boring if I tried.
I have those exact fear in my stories too... I think it's normal. But from what I've read of your book so far ( I know I'm such a slow reader), I didn't once ask myself this question... you have nothing to worry about:)
ReplyDeleteWrite the stories you want to read, and you're going do great.
ReplyDelete