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Lisa wrote: "I have just received my proof copy through of my first ever completed book! It is my NaNo novel, and honestly, when I started it, I never thought I would finish, and yesterday I was holding a copy ..."Nope, you're not strange at all.
The first novel I finished and handed over to the person who does my editing gave me the same feeling, especially after I saw all the red squiggles and notes left on the manuscript.
Your first novel is kind of like your first child, you're going to continually wonder what you did or didn't do right until someone says, "You did good".
You're not strange, Lisa. It's the most exhilarating thing, to send your baby out there, but also very scary. However, as writers, this is all part of our "growing a thick skin" process- a very important process.Believe in yourself and in your work, and pretty soon, other believers will follow.
Best wishes on your book! :)
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I think a lot of my problem with this one is that I never intended to print it, I just thought I would take up one of the NaNo 'prizes'.
Maybe I just need to take a deep breath and just hand the proof over to someone and ask them to read it and get it over with!
Lisa wrote: "Thank you both! Its nice to know I'm not just an oddball!I think a lot of my problem with this one is that I never intended to print it, I just thought I would take up one of the NaNo 'prizes'.
..."
Take that plunge...and remember, feedback is a gift.
(I know, I know, I find this hard to remember too, but oh, well! LOL)
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I think a lot of my problem with this one is that I never intended to print it, I just thought I would take up one of the NaN..."
Just a shame its not a gift guaranteed to make me smile!! Lol. Time to grow that thick skin, I think
Lisa wrote: "Rosanna wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Thank you both! Its nice to know I'm not just an oddball!I think a lot of my problem with this one is that I never intended to print it, I just thought I would take u..."
There are usually more smiles than frowns, so go for it!
Have the thick skin where needed.I had someone read a manuscript recently rejected by Baen, and he liked it. Whoever the college intern in charge of the slush pile didn't.
Since the manuscript is now in the hand of my editor, she'll let me know what I need to fix, just as the reader gave me his input. It all leads to a better novel that I'll self-publish.
Some will like your work, some will love it, and others will probably yawn while some will actively thumbs down.
You'll know you've done well when someone who normally reads a different genre than yours really likes your book. It's those moments that take the sting out of both rejection letters, yawners, and thumbs down.
Mod
It's a whole new world, to take the step from just wanting to write a book, to doing it!
Mod
I prefer it when people who haven't known me for years read my books, because then I know whether they did or didn't like it they're typically being honest.When it comes to Wife reading my work, I always have to wonder if she says she likes it just to avoid having me bawl louder than our three month old. (She told me she liked my writing before she met me in real life, and she married me, so maybe she does.)
I still worry about people reading my work then using a hard copy when they run out of TP. My work hasn't clogged any toilets, yet.
Lisa wrote: "I have just received my proof copy through of my first ever completed book! It is my NaNo novel, and honestly, when I started it, I never thought I would finish, and yesterday I was holding a copy ..."Lisa when I handed out copies of the book I wanted to hve published last year I was a wreck. I wanted honest feedback so you know what i did? Gave it to the three girls from high school who were the meanest to me knowing they'd be brutally honest if need be.
They are now my biggest fans and best friends and The Marked Ones is dedicated to them.
You never know until you take the plunge!
Anyway, as any proud person would do, I posted a photo of it online, and now I have friends and family asking for copies to read. Which I can do, after I have checked over the proof, (part of the NaNo prizes were to receive 2 free copies, plus I can order more if I want to).
The problem is, I now feel terrified and sick to the stomach at the thought of someone reading it! I don't know if it is because I don't want someone to read it and tell me its the biggest pile of rubbish ever and to give up now lol, or a fear of being judged etc, I don't know, but its a rubbish, nerve wracking feeling and I don't know a) if it is normal! and b) how to get past it.
Someone please tell me I am not strange... :/