The Courage Needed When Wanting To Be A Published Author
Dog-eat-world.
Can you believe I lived half of my childhood thinking it was doggy-dog-world? I had no idea Now, I see that doggy dog world is apparently a song by – Yeah, you guessed it – Snoop dogg. If that was the case, this world would be extremely high.
The real saying though is extremely true, unfortunately. It seems like everything has grown so fast-paced, complicated, and competitive.
This is so true in the Publishing Industry. I sometimes feel like the writing part is easy compared to the whole publishing process. With the process being complicated, and with so many authors out there, increasing the competition, publishing your book can be intimidating. Some of you may be like me, actually prolonging telling everybody you know, because you’re scared. There may be some who isn’t even attempting publishing your ‘baby.’
It’s hard. It really is. One minute, you’re thinking “yeah, I’m doing it. I’m posting it on Facebook.” The next, you’re thinking about the possible outcomes, thinking “What if he/she makes fun of me, and what if they say it sucks, which will be embarrassing, which will make me a failure, and people will be laughing and blah, blah, blah.”
From my experience speaking to other writers, we all have these thoughts, especially when a contract with a publishing company is signed or when the self-publishing process is near complete. That’s when you know it’s real, and you can’t hide it anymore.
I’ve been like this for several weeks now, but several days ago, you know what I did? I threw everything into the air and said “idgaf.” I didn’t actually throw anything or scream out loud, but I was thinking it, and I’m glad.
I never told anybody about me publishing my first book, and now that it will be available in print in a few days, I am pushing through, gaining the courage to send everybody an invitation to like the book’s Facebook page. I dread the “why didn’t you tell me?’ messages.
Scary stuff.
Difficult.
But it’s going to be worth it. I hate the saying YOLO, though I use it when making fun of something. But it’s true. You Only Live Once, so why waste it on fear. Do what YOU want to do, be brave, and don’t worry about what others will think or say.
Think about this: If you don’t go through with getting your work out there or telling everybody you know, what question will always be in your mind? “I wonder what would have happened with (insert book title)?
Isn’t it better to think back and say, “I wanted to do it, so I did it”?
It’s a lot better. So don’t be shy and afraid about your writing. Keeping things a secret or holding back on the publishing process will hurt more than not getting out of your comfort zone.
It took a lot of thinking and quite a few prayers before I learned this. And even though I won’t be telling everybody for another few days, I know It’ll be the right decision.
Are you or have you ever been in a similar situation. I’d love to hear your story.
[PhotoCredit: redorbit]
You can visit my site at http://www.anthonywadej.com
