Wednesday 4 June 2014

Insecure... Oh yes!

It's the first Wednesday of the month... it's time for the Insecure Writers Support Group. Follow this link and check out the other posts.

So, am I insecure this month? Yep, I really am.

My next book is due out next week. And, as every author knows, this is the point when you go through every single emotion in one day, and then do it all again the next day, and the next. For a whole week!

Will people like it? Is it what they're expecting? Will anyone buy it? Am I fooling myself that I can write? Should I get a proper job? Will people like it? Is it what...?

There's nothing I can do to stop these thoughts, and nothing anyone else can say either. Tomorrow I might think I'm the best writer in the whole world, the day after I'll be back to a nail-biting tangle of nerves. I need to take a deep breath, have a cup of tea, and maybe put on a good film - anything to distract me, really. After all, there's nothing I can do about it now.

How do you cope with pre-publication fears?
Or, if you haven't published yet, the fear of querying? 


74 comments:

  1. I use an age old technique called procrastination. I don't advise it, though. Actually, once I started researching publishers and outlining a query letter, it wasn't so bad. When you delay something for so long, it's often much easier than you thought it would be.

    Enjoy your book launching, Annalisa. Be proud! You have much reason to be. CONGRATULATIONS!

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    1. I love that part of procrastination where it feels like you're doing the task a favour by doing it :-) And thank, Robyn :-)

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  2. I do understand this being an emotional time. Total denial is how I cope. That and chocolate.

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    1. Chocolate? Nah, never touch the stuff...

      ... LOL!

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  3. Hey,

    I'm not published yet, but strangely have no fear in querying... maybe it's because WIP#1 is a memoir of someone else?

    I honestly don't know... but (most) of the no's don't bother me. I know eventually I will match the book with a publisher... or grow old(er) trying :)

    PS: GOOD LUCK with next week!!!

    If you still need people for Launch Day, shoot me an email or Tweet and I'd love to help :)

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    1. I never had too much fear in querying either - I had a long list, and my 'goal' was to reach the end. A 'yes' early on prevented me achieving that mini, ghost goal. I think those mind games helped me. I'll email you about your offer, thank you!

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  4. Yes I know and can relate. I'm with Patsy, I survive with lots of chocolate. Wishing you the best during this emotional and exciting time.

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    1. Hmm, two votes for chocolate... am I that transparent? And thank you!

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  5. Annalisa I think your book will rock!! You rock, ergo your book shall rock. As far as how I cope with anticipatory fears of any kind, I find that chocolate cake helps.

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    1. Aw, thank you Keith. Ah, and you've raised the bar with 'chocolate cake'. Now if you'd said 'chocolate cheesecake' you'd be my perfect man ;-)

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  6. deep breaths and yes, distractions of any sort. I've turned into a procrastinator on any writing deadlines. Buck up, head high. June 10th shall be spectacular

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  7. I've found the way to get over pre-publication fear. The after publication depression. haha. You just have to go through it and realize it's normal. You've done it before and survived. You'll survive this time, too. Good luck with your new release.

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    1. Lol, I'll watch out for after publication depression - we can eat chocolate together!

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  8. I've not found any way to cope, I don't think there's anything for it except for chocolate as others have stated. But I can at least assure you that I'll be buying the book and already know I'll love it. :)

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  9. It's stressful, but there's also a fun excitement surrounding the publication of your newest work. I've only been there once, and I'm looking forward to being there again in the couple months.

    For me, the challenge has always been trying to sustain whatever momentum you have after you've been published.

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    1. I haven't even considered 'after publication' yet - that's January to my Christmas :-)

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  10. I think you're just going to have to ride out those emotions as if the whole experience is some kind of wicked roller coaster. I know, though, that you'll get through it and come out stronger and better on the other side. :)

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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    1. You're right. I should embrace these feelings - they're all a part of the process, after all :-)

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  11. Lots of deep breaths and as many distraction as I can find. It doesn't always work though. I have a couple stories out on submission and when another week goes by with no news I start to question the story, the writing, did I let it go too soon. Then I'm back to deep breaths and looking for something to keep me busy so I don't think about it.

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    1. That sounds so familiar. Good luck with your submissions!

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  12. I'm usually so busy planning the marketing stuff I don't have time to get nervous. So basically, be busy and productive elsewhere and you'll be fine.

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    1. I've been trying to do that -sometimes it works... :-)

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    2. And I have to tell you, your comment at Kyra's site today was hilarious! I was thinking the same thing...

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  13. two weeks! wow, congratulations! you'll shine, just take the day off and go do something relaxing! ;-)

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    1. You know, that's something I haven't done before - taken time off to celebrate... Hmm, I wonder what I can do...

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  14. I'm not to the point where I have a book out yet, but I still go through the rollercoaster ride about my writing every week. I'm guessing it will never go away. Good luck with your book.

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    1. No, it never goes away, But that's a good think - when it does, you've lost the passion, in my opinion.

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  15. Um, I have no idea. Lol. I think you just have to go through all the fears, excitement, up and downs that go with release and wait until it's over to feel normal again.
    Good luck! I'm looking forward to this one! :)

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    1. Normal? I'm a writer, I don't think there's such a thing as normal :-)

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  16. You are totally a great writer and you do have a proper job. Now go write me something good to read.

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    1. Yes, ma'am! Although I think you're completely up to date - I really MUST write something new!

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  17. My coping mechanisms are decidedly unhealthy--chocolate and tequila. Ample application of both and you'll have other problems to worry about. I actually find that the hardest thing to do is read someone elses work, but if I can manage to get into a good book, that's the best help, just the least likely!

    Also, congratulations, I know it's hard to hear when you're in the emotional rollercoaster, but it's a major accomplishment! Try to enjoy it.

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    1. Thanks Rena. Chocolate is well under way. I'm not a tequila drinker, but the wine will be flowing tonight while I watch the Castle season finale double bill :-)

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  18. Annalisa, what you are going through is absolutely normal. We all go through it and not just survive, but go on to write many more books :) I will suggest start working on your next book.

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    1. I'm getting the first stirrings of the next book. I know it's normal, but wouldn't it be nice to send a book into the world with a 'Hell yeah, take that, World, this is awesome!'?

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  19. I'm surprisingly not all that terrified of querying. Yet. I guess my advice would be to just focus on the excitement over your book coming out and not on being nervous.

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  20. With your amount of talent, you have no right to be insecure :-)

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    1. Vanessa, you know when you make little 'eek' noises, even when there's no one around to ask you why? You just made me do that. Thank you!

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  21. Well, so far I haven't been in your shoes...but our personalities when it comes to insecurities sound awfully similar...I say yes to the movie and the tea...and I guess you just have to wait it out. Best of luck! I think it's going to be a hit.
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

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    1. Thanks Tina, I have my fingers crossed it will be :-)

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  22. You'll be fine, I'm sure everyone will love your book :)
    Distractions - movies, books, going out - these will help.

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    1. I will be trying all of those suggestions this weekend :-)

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  23. There is absolutely no point in me saying anything comforting because when a girl's in that mood she won't listen! It will be fine - logically you know thiis - but who wants logic? You want to be an emotional wreck, in some ways, because it's part of the creative process. when I need your support you'll be telling me exactly the same! xx

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    1. You're right, Liz, I'm beyond logic at this point :-)

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  24. Maybe focusing on the pride and satisfaction of completing this project to which you've given so much of your heart, mind, and soul would take the edge off your anxiety. If not, there's always medicinal wine/chocolate/Xanax. :-) GOOD LUCK!!!

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    1. Another vote for chocolate! And, I do feel immense pride for this book :-)

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  25. I know this feeling all too well. I just have to distract myself. Read, watch something, bake, clean. Take a deep breath. :)

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  26. Alcohol, chocolate, min-numbing amounts of TV. And all of that is just for querying. Imagine how I'll react if I ever actually publish. Lol

    Great post

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    1. Well, it's good you're getting the practise in now :-)

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  27. Lots and lots of beer? Yeah, I have no idea how you really "deal" with it. I try to keep myself busy so I don't have time to worry, but then I just worry in my sleep so that doesn't really work. Maybe after an author publishes ten books the jitters go away?

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    1. I'm saving the beer drinking for the World Cup games :-)

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  28. Tea and cake! Other than that I try to compartmentalise as I go through the submission process. I ignore it and pretend it's not happening and deal with other things. Sometimes it works, other times the tea and cake are needed. You'll be great! xx

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    1. I'm compartmentalising by writing guest posts at the moment, so that's helping. Especially when I send off the posts without proofreading and people have to email back to ask me what the heck I meant! Cake sounds good!

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  29. I would say to take some time out on the actual day to celebrate in some way - like a special meal. Put all the stress to one side and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done. It's too easy to forget what a great achievement it is!

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    1. Yes,I agree. I don't think I did that with the other two. It'll have to be lunch, and if I can't find anyone, I'll go by myself!

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  30. I've found distracting myself with other projects helps cope with the insanity. good luck! :)

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  31. I was reminded in another IWSG post that sometimes helping other people is a good way to forget about our own insecurities. Good luck on the release next week!

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    1. And that's where IWSG comes into it's own - lots of help abounds!

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  32. It's such a fun and scary roller coaster of emotions... enjoy it I say... Be proud of your new book because you are a fantastic published author:)

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  33. What I do to get over my insecurity about whatever book is about to come out, or has just come out, or is on submission is this: Brainstorm ideas for a new project. I might be too distracted to WRITE, but I can always come up with ideas. That way, I think: If this one is a flop, I'll still have the next one!

    It might seem negative, but it's not. I'm just trying to keep as many eggs in the basket as possible.

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    1. I'm certainly not settled enough to write anything at the moment, but brainstorming is a great idea!

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  34. These days I brace myself. I remind myself of the years I was struggling in the query trenches and all the bad reviews I've already received. Whatever comes can't be so bad. I'm published, which is my goal, and I should be happy where I am.

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    1. That's a great way of looking at it. We're further along in our careers than ever before, and there's still so much to achieve!

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  35. I am not there yet to share. The fears of sending my short story out for edit and proof were bad enough and now I am sending it back yet again. When I first sent it I had so many emotions scared to death was just one of them! What if she sent it back with a note that read Hate it Or Don't quit your day job? That was all I could think about. When she called to tell me she loved it really put me at ease. Stopping by from my blog @ http://iknewiwould.blogspot.com/

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    1. Congrats on a positive reaction! That always makes you feel invincible :-)

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  36. Hi Annalisa,

    I try to think of visualising a positive outcome to anything I do. It's a tough one battling against negative speculation. However, I just let whatever happens happen. You are a published author. That in itself is a wonderful achievement, my dear friend.

    Have a peaceful weekend and smile.

    Gary :)

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    1. I'm a big believer is positive thinking too. Have a great weekend too :-)

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  37. It is not just me or because I'm a newbie? Excellent :)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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