Hey, Insecurities!

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 28 Comments




Do I have insecurities this month? You betcha. It's bathing suit season. Nothing is more traumatizing to the ego than that! 

Oh, you mean writing insecurities? Yes, indeed, I have those too. I have a book on submission, so every time I check my email, I am hopeful and terrified. Rejections never get easier. No matter how many I get, I have never learned to like them. They're much like boiled brussel sprouts. No matter how often I'm reminded they're good for me, I'd rather never have a plate of them. 

Which leads me to this month's question...

Have I ever quit writing?  No. I never quit writing. I've been writing my whole life. It's what I do. It's my happy place. My therapy. My psychosis. 

But-- there are times when I unplug. I'll get worn out with all the marketing and platform building so I curl into a fetal position with a pencil and go old-school-- scribbling thoughts on blank pages. Then, Barbie or Tina (golden-hearted readers) will send me a nudge and I'll crawl out of my hole and get back to work. 

Sign up here

Thanks to Alex and this month's co-hosts: 

Madeline Mora-Summonte
Jen Chandler
Megan Morgan
Heather Gardner


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*I'm on vacation, so this will be my last post until I get home. I'm sinking my toes in the sand, forgetting to wear sunblock, and whining about sunburn pain and age spots.



28 comments:

  1. The whole process of writing, marketing etc. can be SO exhausting, so a break is always good. But quitting - that's impossible!

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  2. LOL! Swimsuit season is always a challenge :) I'm like you - unplug from time to time until I get dragged back. But I'd never quit. It's who I am. Good luck with your submission.

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  3. Nothing like those pesky readers to keep us going.

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  4. I used a notebook and pens - different color inks! - for all of my Story A Day stories, and I loved it! Sometimes old school is the way to go, at least for awhile.

    Have a wonderful vacation!

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  5. Good for you. We all have to take a step back at times, but that isn't quitting. That's regrouping for another frontal assault on the publishing industry.

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  6. Both my congratulations and my condolences to being on submission. It is a singularly harrowing act. And it can go on forever! Still good luck, and enjoy your vacation!

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  7. I like your, writing is my therapy, my psychosis. Yes, it is truly mine too. It is so ingrained in me that I am lost without it. Loved reading your thoughts.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia
    Everything Must Change

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  8. Those writing breaks keep you fresh and keen - it's definitely a positive thing, in my opinion :-)

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  9. I had to laugh when I read the part about bathing suit season. Boy, can I relate :-)

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  10. Put on the bathing suit and say what the hell!! No decision on the latest book yet? It's good, what's the matter with them?

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  11. Thank goodness for Barbie and Tina. The world would definitely be a sadder place without your fabulousness out there to entertain us. =)

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  12. Sure have to unplug sometimes from all the crap. I'll skip the brussel sprouts though.

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  13. I hate having to check my inbox to see if I get a rejection or acceptance. Usually it's a rejection. lol

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  14. That's awesome that you have readers who nudge you! Obviously you're striking the right chords with people.

    Good luck with your book submission! It is nerve-wracking, but it will find the right home.

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  15. I just permanently hide from the whole marketing side. I'll write. That makes me happy.

    And I'm not sure about your image in your post... It's showing me a black box saying no hotlinking from Pixabay.

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  16. I put staying the course in my writing up there with trying on a new bathing suit under florescent lights. I keep doing both, so I must have some moxie in me.

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  17. Hi, Elizabeth...

    OOOOO can I relate. UGH to summer swimsuits. I inflated like a beachball this past year. UGH!

    I HATE rejections too. Just had the worst one yet. Just when I FINALLY thought I'd landed a top agent from the KNIGHT agency (I won a twitter pitch contest), BAMM.... he passed on the project. I was floored.

    I hope you find a home soon for your newest child.... Nice to see the family is doing GREAT!!!! I catch most of you FB posts.

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  18. It's good to unplug. In fact. I think it's essential to being a good writer:)

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  19. Have a wonderful holiday, Elizabeth. I hope you really do relax and enjoy every single moment.
    Hugs
    Suzy xx
    www.suzyturner.com

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  20. We all need to 'unplug' every now and again. It helps creativity to flow better.

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  21. OMG, don't even mention swimsuits....!!! I have to learn to unplug more often. When I was camping recently and there wasn't any internet service I felt a weight lifted off my shoulder. Great Advice!!!

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  22. I loved your comment that writing is your happy place. Me, too. Best wishes on your book on submission.

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  23. Enjoy your vacation.
    I totally get your swim suit and writing insecurities, though like you, writing is my happy place too. As for swim suit insecurities, it's not like I'm going to swim in long pants, so everyone else can just look away. ;)

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  24. Well said. Writing is also my happy place, which is weird, because there always seems to be a lot of violence and chaos in my happy place.

    Let's not read into that further.

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  25. Writing is fun, but the editing, marketing, etc. and be frazzling, so I think we all need a break now and then. Happy weekend.

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  26. I've been on writing-vacation since 2015, so in a way, I guess I could say that I've quit with intentions to come back. Blogging, I think, is my way back home.

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  27. I hope you've had some good news on your submissions!

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  28. This comment has been removed by the author.

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