A Writer’s Doubts

I wrote a post recently about the Insecure Writer and a group I kind of fell into, The Insecure Writers Support Group, and from some of their posts, it seems there are others besides me who doubt themselves as writers. I struggled with a bout of that myself this morning.

Part of it is that I tend to compare myself to other thriller-crime-mystery writers and look at their successes and sales compared to mine, and wonder why I’m not hitting the mark. Could it be the coming-of-age thread woven into and around the thriller aspect of my stories? Could it be simply that my writing isn’t as good as others? Maybe that the thriller-crime-mystery genre is saturated and folks are looking more into fantasy, science fiction, and romance? Could be one or the other or all three. And maybe, something entirely different. Who knows?

I think that’s the problem with comparing yourself to others- not only as a writer, but in life. We are all different. I am certainly not a cookie-cutter version of someone else. I write in my own lane, so to speak. Sometimes I cross a line or two, and sometimes by a little or a lot, depending upon one’s view.

I do have readers who follow me, who have read everything I put out there, and I hear from them from time to time. I think my writing has improved with each book, and it should. If it never improves or get worse, I’m definitely doing something wrong.

My reviews have all been solid. I’ve won close to twenty awards (frankly, I’ve stopped counting), so the critical acclaim is there. Just not the sales. Maybe it’s the marketing and I’m not promoting my work correctly or effectively.

Whatever it is, it got me to doubting myself, my abilities, and my writing. A sad dance competition I seem to do every now and then. Perhaps we all do. It isn’t fun, and I doubt there is no winning that competition. Besides, I’m no dancer- just ask my wife.

At any rate, I thought I’d just share this with you. Perhaps it will bring you comfort in knowing others feel this way, too. Perhaps like me, not all the time, but when it hits, it hits hard.

The only thing I can say, which is not much, is to hang in there. There are others swimming in the same pool, or to use my other analogy, the same dance. Hopefully you dance better than I do.

Last, I want to remind you that my newest book, Fan Mail, is available for FREE on Book Funnel. Here is the link for you: https://books.bookfunnel.com/endofsummerbookblowout/enp4tnldmk and here is the book blurb and a wonderful review for Fan Mail from a talented author, Cam Torrens, who wrote the thrilling adventure, Stable.

A car bomb, letters that become more menacing as they are ignored, and a father’s heart attack. A close-knit family torn apart. One brother will put his life on the line to keep his family together.

“A heart-wrenching thriller? What? Joseph Lewis knocks his latest “coming of age” novel out of the park by bringing back familiar characters and instantly thrusting them into physical and emotional jeopardy. Fan Mail is a gripping and intense thriller with suspenseful and heart-pumping action. Fan Mail delves into the bonds of brotherhood, the challenges of unconventional love, the cost of loyalty, and the lengths one would go to protect their loved ones.” A must-read! – Cam Torrens, author of Stable

#blackrosewriting #fanmail #thriller #mystery #crime #ComingOfAge #amreading #free #freebooks #detectives #IWSG @camtorrens

Fan-Mail by Joseph-Lewis