Doubt

I’m getting very close to completing the illustrations, and my husband has finished the first pass of the layout with the text. This point in the project brings conflicting feelings that I’m having trouble reconciling. On one hand, it’s thrilling to see the layout with the text in place, it makes everything feel more “real”. This sounds silly, but seeing the text in the layout makes the writing seem more meaningful and polished as I read it. At the same time, I’m developing serious doubts about what I’m about to put out there with my name on it. I have all sorts of irrational, negative thoughts going through my head right now. What if the writing and content isn’t as interesting as I think it is?  What if I sell 10 copies and that’s the end of it? What if people think I’m stupid? (yes, that thought truly goes through my head) I think these kinds of feelings are inevitable when you’re on the verge of releasing a big project, but it still doesn’t make it easier to deal with.