Marina Betancourt
asked
Caragh M. O'Brien:
I have to ask, because as a writer myself I've never had the confidence to actually show my work off to more than a few close friends, but how do you do it? I mean your work is amazing and it really swept me off my feet when I was reading it but how did you get the confidence to actually go through with publishing your work?
Caragh M. O'Brien
Marina ~
I am really glad you asked this. It does take enormous courage to show your writing to other people, and when you spend months working on a project, seeing all its flaws, it can be very hard to tell when it’s ready for other eyes. You’re lucky that you already have a few close friends to share your work with, especially if they’re avid readers. Believe them if they encourage you. For me, the confidence came when I thought Gaia’s story deserved a shot at being published. The novel became its own thing, and my family encouraged me to take it further. I knew the publishing process started with the small step of sending out a few letters, so I did that, and when agents were interested in the concept, they asked for the manuscript. From then on, I’ve had guidance from my agent and my editors, as well as my family. It still takes courage for me to show people my work, so I understand how you feel, and I know you can do it, too.
All best,
Caragh
I am really glad you asked this. It does take enormous courage to show your writing to other people, and when you spend months working on a project, seeing all its flaws, it can be very hard to tell when it’s ready for other eyes. You’re lucky that you already have a few close friends to share your work with, especially if they’re avid readers. Believe them if they encourage you. For me, the confidence came when I thought Gaia’s story deserved a shot at being published. The novel became its own thing, and my family encouraged me to take it further. I knew the publishing process started with the small step of sending out a few letters, so I did that, and when agents were interested in the concept, they asked for the manuscript. From then on, I’ve had guidance from my agent and my editors, as well as my family. It still takes courage for me to show people my work, so I understand how you feel, and I know you can do it, too.
All best,
Caragh
More Answered Questions
Kelley
asked
Caragh M. O'Brien:
Caragh- I really enjoyed The Birthmarked Trilogy and was sorry to see it end, but I have read The Vault of Dreamers and really enjoyed it as well. Was it difficult to jump into a whole new set of characters? PS- I am VERY happy to hear that you are working on a Vault 2, because I would really like to know where this story progresses from the end of the first book! : )
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