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| Check out the IWSG HERE! |
Julie Flanders, Heather Gardner, Kim Van Sickler, and Elsie is Writing!
And of course a thanks to the ninja master himself, Alex Cavanaugh. The IWSG is the time and place for writers to gather, bond, and support one another.
It's like word therapy.
And it's getting bigger!! Yes. IWSG has expanded! It has its own website. I looked around it the other day, and honestly, this site is a one-stop shop for the anxious writer. There are tips on writing, links to contests, agent and publisher info, and writer services links. I mean seriously, this is one awesome site! Chesk out the website HERE!
Oh yeah, the IWSG has infiltrated Facebook too!
Goodness. So much goodness. And it doesn't stop there!
This month there is a contest! Enter that HERE!
With soooo much awesomeness in one post, I am going to give you my insecurities with the nutshell approach:
*I hate that I can't figure out the magic bullet for sales.
*I hate that I still haven't tackled the newsletter or my pathetic little website.
*I hate it when I read an awesome book and it makes me feel like a crappy writer.
*I hate it when I read a crappy book with awesome sales and it makes me feel like a crappy writer.
*I hate it when I get jealous of my amazing friends.
*I hate it when the whole world seems to have it together and I feel like I am juggling rotten, squishy tomatoes.
BUT! There is a cure for ALL of this.
Stick with other writers. They get it; they get you. No one else will understand the neurosis of word addiction. Not your mom, your hubs, or your kids. Yeah, they may be supportive and wonderful in their own right...but only another writer understands the pain of a rejection, a bad review, or bottom of the pot sales.
Now, just so it doesn't feel like a total downer/whiner post...here's a huge give-away.
Lindsay Anne Kendal put this together as a Christmas gift from the World Castle Publishing crew. There are some awesome books in this list (and no, I'm not just talking about my own ;)
Enter via Rafflecopter. It's that easy!
Yes, I get every single one of those insecurities. It's tough, but it's nice to know other writers understand and are right there with a sympathetic smile and a 'there, there'.
ReplyDeleteWriterly friends are sanity savers! Most definitely!
DeleteRead a crappy book with great sales - that made me laugh!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning the contest.
My pleasure!
DeleteI recently read a book I loved so much that I almost hated it because I felt like I could never write anything like that or that good. Ever.
ReplyDeleteBut I let myself moon and mope for awhile, then I got back to work to write what I write, the way I write it, etc. :)
Doesn't that floor you!? I get that too! Then I make myself feel better by admitting that mediocrity is all right too.
DeleteI feel the same way. I've been struggling not to let myself get down lately, and my husband so doesn't get it. And I can see why! I mean, things are moving forward, but, but! I don't know. :-P
ReplyDeleteBut it never goes fast enough? People outside the writing world assume you should be on tv promoting books like all the other real writers? That sort of hum drumminess?
DeleteYes and amen. Thank goodness for the writer friends who "get" us and let us whine but don't let us stay there!
ReplyDeleteAnd don't let us quit!
DeleteI have felt all of those insecurities too. I loved #4 and #5 about reading a good book and crappy book. I've felt like a crappy writer because of those kinds of books ALL the time. Still do and probably always will. lol
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's a good thing...we aren't so arrogant that we can't accept there are writers we need to respect.
DeleteYup, that's why I love my blog so much. It gave me a window into the writing world. Trust me, you're not the only one who feels crappy Liz, it happens. Love you.
ReplyDeleteLove you too sweet lady! And I know we all share the same stress, we just can't let it get us down!
DeleteHa! Great summary right there. If you do figure out the sales issue, share your tips. I'll do the same, I'm convinced the answer is in a VIP club and I haven't been invited there yet o_o. Reading other people's work can and do make me feel crappy but then I'd like to think they were crappy once too and I can get to their level at some point before I'm 99 years old. The crappy books with great sales? They belong to that club, that's my opinion and I'm sticking to it lol
ReplyDeleteI most certainly will share! So, it's a club. I shoulda known! If I ever get the secret handshake, I will teach it to you!
DeleteJuggling rotten, squishy tomatoes is my specialty!
ReplyDeleteMost impressive. Hope you wear a raincoat...could get messy!
DeleteI cracked up at the crappy book with great sales. Isn't that a kick in the guy?? I second all of these insecurities and you are so right, this group is totally like web therapy.
ReplyDeleteA kick in the guys? Love it! I'm adding that to my potty mouth alternatives.
DeleteAs someone with never enough time, I appreciate the nutshell approach. I have a hard time with the crappy book with huge sales one. Makes me feel like what am I working so hard for, but you have to keep at it.
ReplyDeleteI love nutshells too. We are all busy, so why waste time?
DeleteWhen you figure out that magic bullet problem (must be algebra), please let me know.
ReplyDeleteIf it turns out to be Algebra, I have a slew of math teachers who are going to be giving me I told you you'd Algebra so's!
DeleteLet me know when you figure out the sales thing - the crappy book w/ tons of sales gets me too. I'm OK with greatly written books. They tend to inspire me and my writing. I should make a note to read those sorts of books more often.
ReplyDeleteBoth make me feel insecure, but the great ones at least don't frustrate me...they awe me and make me feel unworthy.
DeleteOh, boy, I guess those sales days are coming soon for me. I better keep close tabs on you for when you find the magic!
ReplyDeleteWriting was so much more fun before marketing was an issue! Good luck with your launch!
Deletethat's right, you love to hate but hate to love. it's a ridiculous cycle but no matter what you just keep sending me those texts and I will always be here to hold your hand and wipe a smile across your face because gosh darn it...I LOVE YOU!!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely know how to make me smile. Love back at ya crazy lady with the tenacious spirit!
DeleteI feel ya...well, except the sales part, I got nothing published as of yet.. Right now I'm just tired of taking one step froward and ten back. (HUGS)
ReplyDeleteHugs to you too! If only the one step forward and ten steps back was at least a weight loss strategy!!
DeleteI love your list (because we hate so many of the same things)! That book giveaway sounds great...I'll have to enter. Have a great holiday, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer
You have a great holiday too, wise fellow hater ;)
DeleteElizabeth, you are awesome. My publishing mentor told me it's 5% book, 95% marketing, so I'm thinking that's why some books succeed where others fail. Regardless...
ReplyDeleteOh great...I hate marketing. Sigh. Oh, well. We'll keep plugging away, right?
DeleteElizabeth…. PLEASE… Get a grip… YOU are FIERCE!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had out as many books as you. I am still pushing, editing, and freaking over my first two books. I never completed my novella, I am so backed up on EVERYTHING… SO, yes, I get it!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen you FREAK remember we will give you a GROUP HUG… that will make you feel lots better!
Michael, you are the sweetest of sweethearts. And ya know, I read other people's posts where they worry and I think, pah, you're great! I guess it's easier for other people to be confident in us than we do in ourselves. Hug right back at ya Michael!!
DeleteI hate all that as well, but you're so write about sticking with other writers. They ARE the ones who get it!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's important to not let those 'downer' moments keep you down for too long. Part of being a writer is continuously trucking on!
Amen Trisha!!! We do have to stick together. And it is the tenacious who come out on top! Or at least cross the finish line.
DeleteAaand I just saw my typo up there! What I wouldn't give to be able to edit my comments. haha
DeleteMoving on, la la la!
I asked my bf to come into the room and I asked, "Can I voice my frustrations at you without you saying anything?" He said yes. So I made a list. It felt so much better to voice those frustrations and insecurities. I think it's wrong to let them stay inside.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Elizabeth!!
If I keep them inside, I just get moody and cranky and everyone asks if I have PMS and that just makes me moodier. You're right, we have to vent!
DeleteHey Twinny.... Dude, did you like so steal that list from my always-empty wallet when I wasn't cooking (and I don't mean to bring "Breaking Bad into the conversation!!)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I know you're a great writer (with a crappy eTwin, so just blame me :)
Cheers and Merry Christmas :)
Oh pooh. I have the best eTwinny virtual mom ever had! You can't fool me (or distract me with the Breaking Bad stuff), I've read your WIP. It's AMAZING!!
DeleteI agree with your list. I've thought and felt those same things.
ReplyDeleteI love being around other writers since they get me.
It is very comforting to not have to explain from the ground up. If I say WIP, I'm not talking S&M and you guys know that.
DeleteI love your list because I secretly feel the exact same way! I don't know what I'd do without IWSG and this community of friendly, generous writers. They always make me feel better. Thanks for your honest and encouraging post! :-)
ReplyDeleteIf I can't be honest with you guys, who can I be honest with? It's certainly not the scale ;)
DeleteAmazing list. So brave to share.
ReplyDeleteNah, I'm not brave. The book you wrote...that's brave!
DeleteYour list made me chuckle. It's so true. We all feel those things. And I learned early on that if others didnt make me feel good about myself or my dreams, they didnt need to be part of my life. It's just too darn short for anything but positive reinforcement. :)
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a reason I liked you so well!
DeleteGreat list! There is no tonic like hanging out with other writers! And I had no idea the IWSG had got so big! Thanks for the links! x
ReplyDeleteamazing, isn't it? And the new website is really wonderful!
DeleteI totally get this, Elizabeth. Man, there is so much greatness out there! One can't help but wonder where they fit in (if at all!). But you certainly do, my dear. You are so right about us needing to stick together. That's why when I see writers not supporting other writers it makes me so mad. We know better!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Compliments from the insanely talented always makes me blush. Thank you! I hardly feel like I have much of anything together, but what I do have are great friends who keep me going!
DeleteMy gram always said, "Better late than never." Let me add that sometimes late is a good thing. This was a super post.
ReplyDeleteyoure awesome! i hate those things too! thats why we stick together!
ReplyDelete