The Insecure Writer
Yesterday, I ran across a blog by a writer I follow regularly, and she wrote about a group she belongs to called, The Insecure Writers Support Group. I joined right then and there.
Now, you would think that an author with nine books published by a terrific publishing company would have nothing to be insecure about, right? Or how an author that, on a whim, wrote a short story and had it published on the second or third submission could be insecure, right?
Yes to both questions!
I’ve had my share of success. Perhaps not as many sales as others in my genre or perhaps not as many 5 or 4 star reviews as others who write thriller-crime-mystery, but I have had my share of success. I’ve garnered almost 20 awards on my collection, including one Amazon Best Seller, and I have some very loyal fans.
Still …
Once I complete a project, and I’m over 61K in my current work in progress titled, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One) (a Navajo belief), I have to tell you I get nervous, especially when I send it off to the publisher or various reviewers. Still to this day, I worry about whether or not my book will be accepted, liked, and loved, or if it will be rejected and hated. Yeah, even after nine books, and a short story.
I think any writer whose name is not Stephen King, James Patterson, David Baldacci, C.J. Box, John Sandford and on and on, gets a wee bit nervous. Afterall, we sunk nine months or a year, along with our sweat, our heart and our soul into the project. What’s to be nervous about?
Well, to be liked and loved and to be read enthusiastically enough for one or two or a dozen who read our work to write a 5 or 4 star review. It’s the feeling of being worth it enough for someone to not only read books one or two, but to pick up all nine and wait anxiously for number ten to come out.
I have to continually remind myself that it isn’t for the money, the fame, and the 5 star review as the reasons I write. I have to remind myself that I write because it is my passion. I have to remind myself that I write because I love what I do, as much as the next writer. Yes, even King or Patterson or those named above- I write because I love the act of storytelling, of creating fictional worlds and families (though mine are based more or less on reality). I love putting my fingers on the keyboard and pecking away.
As much as Aaron Rodgers loves throwing the football, or as much as Giannis loves playing basketball, I love to write. It is my joy, and I’m willing to keep at it until I can no longer put my fingers to the laptop and create my stories.
Yeah, I’ll keep at it because I love it, pure and simple. I’ll still get nervous when I think it’s done enough to send off. I’ll still get anxious waiting for the word from my publisher that my project is a go. But my wish for you, whether seasoned pro or a fledgling beginner, is to write your story. Don’t fear the blank page. Don’t drown in the murky middle. Don’t race to the finish line until you are ready to finish. Just sit down and write!
I would welcome any comments or suggestions from you, so please use the space below. Check out the Insecure Writers Support Group- a great group of people, all writers from all levels who encourage and support. My kind of group. As always, thanks for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …
Fan Mail – New Release! A Reader’s Favorite Silver Book Award! Maxy Award Finalist! Eric Hoffer Award Nominee! Literary Titan Silver Book Award!
A barrage of threatening letters, a car bomb, and a heart attack rip apart what was once a close-knit family of adopted brothers. Randy and Bobby, along with fellow band member and best friend, Danny, receive fan mail that turns menacing. They ignore it, but to their detriment. The sender turns up the heat. Violence upends their world. It rocks the relationship between the boys and ripples through their family, nearly killing their dad.
As these boys turn on each other, adopted brother Brian flashes back to that event in Arizona where he nearly lost his life saving his brothers. The scars on his face and arms healed, but not his heart.
Would he once again have to put himself in harm’s way to save them? And if faced with that choice, will he?
Fan Mail is a Coming-of-Age story embedded in a Thriller-Crime-Mystery.
Blaze In, Blaze Out – Best Action Fiction Book of 2022- Best Thrillers! Reader’s Favorite Runner Up! Literary Titan Gold Book Award!
Detectives Eiselmann and O’Connor thought the conviction of a Ukrainian gang lord meant the end, but it was only the beginning. They forgot that revenge knows no boundaries, vindictiveness knows no restraints, and ruthlessness never worries about collateral damage. A target is a target, and in the end, the target will die. Eiselmann and O’Connor become the hunted, but they don’t know by whom or when they will strike.
