#IWSG: What is my problem?

#IWSG What is my problem?

9/6/2017

IWSG is posted the first Wednesday of every month, but I'm posting early this month. Explanation is below with my writing goals. It is the brain child of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh. Get your fears and insecurities out or give words of encouragement. We're writers, let's support each other!

This month's co-hosts are Tyrean Martinson, Tara Tyler, Raimey Gallant, and
Beverly Stowe McClure.

September's Question is: Have you ever surprised yourself with your writing? For example, by trying a new genre you didn't think you'd be comfortable in?

Yes, I have. There was an old story and I was in the writing zone and I wrote this line and had to stop because I had no expected that character to say what he did. Can't remember what it was, but I do remember the shock. It was one of those moments were the characters seemed to become alive.

On to my insecurities...

So, what is my problem? I have difficulty telling people I have stuff going on. Ask me what's up, and I just shrug and say not much. I get the boxed set of Path of Angels made and forget that maybe I should get some hype going about it. When Abducted Life came out, I did not tell anyone I knew in real life.

I'm not sure why announcing what I'm up to is so tough for me. Maybe it's the attention, and being an introvert, I don't like that. Or if I tell people, I get scared that I'll disappoint them.

It's probably both, but now that I'm aware of it, hopefully, I can get over it. I'm going to have to if I want to have any success as an author. Books don't sell if no one knows about them. And while I'm getting over this hurdle, how about I shamelessly ask for help on my upcoming release because OMG I actually have a book to release as soon as Chrys Fey edits it. *stares at Chrys* While you're signing up, you can tell me if you have the same issue as I do or if you have no problem sharing good news, HOW??????

25 Comments

Chemistken link

9/6/2017 05:12:18 am

I think maybe it has to do with the fact that by the time you get your book finished and have done everything you need to do to send it out, you are so tired of the project you just don't want to think about it anymore, so you never think of mentioning it. My suggestion: Take some time to celebrate and relax first, then ask us for help.

Sara C. Snider link

9/6/2017 06:31:12 am

I struggle with this as well. I think you're right in that it has something to do with expectations, but, for me, I think it's also to do with the fact that part of me still feels like an impostor when it comes to writing. If I call too much attention to that, then people might notice, hehe. ;) Congratulations on your upcoming book, though! Woohoo! What kind of help are you looking for exactly?

Madeline Mora-Summonte link

9/6/2017 06:33:29 am

Sometimes I don't like to share what I've got going on because some people are not really interested and can be real downers and dampen my enthusiasm. I'm getting better at figuring out when to share things and when to just smile and be vague.

Megan Morgan link

9/6/2017 07:27:23 am

Oh my gosh, I'm the same way. I don't tell a whole lot of people in my life when things are going on, or even tell them much about my books--I just seem to 'forget,' even though it's one of the most important things in my life!

Christine Rains link

9/6/2017 08:12:22 am

Like you, I don't talk to people in real life about my writing. Not because I don't want them to know I'm a writer, but because I don't want to disappoint them with how much of a success I am not. Truly, I need to get over it too.

Alex J. Cavanaugh link

9/6/2017 08:39:50 am

Few people in the real world know I'm an author. Maybe because in person rejection is harder to handle than just being ignored online?

C. Lee McKenzie

9/6/2017 08:45:45 am

Most of the friends I see regularly aren't writers, and so I don't mention what I'm up to in that area of my life. But when I with those who are, I'm in heaven. I can talk about what I'm stuck on or excited about, and those writers jump right in with understand and often help.

Anna link

9/6/2017 09:03:59 am

I'll gladly do a spotlight, but please don't ask me to post it on a Tuesday.

And for the record, I do the same thing. I have a heck of a time telling people what I've been up to and I I have no idea why.

Anna from elements of emaginette

M.J. Fifield link

9/6/2017 09:09:51 am

I'm pretty bad at telling people what's going on, too. I really don't like attention of any kind, and live in fear that if I tell someone what's going on, it might lead to a follow-up question of some kind. :)

CD Gallant-King link

9/6/2017 01:01:12 pm

Hahaha... I don't tell anyone in "real life" about my writing. No one at work has any idea I write. I never talk about it with anyone. Even when a friend or relative asks "hey, how's the writing going?" I have to ask, "What writing? Oh, right."

J E Oneil link

9/6/2017 01:12:01 pm

I have a hard time talking about stuff, too. It could definitely be an introvert thing like you said. I always feel like I'm hyping myself too much or that no one could possibly be interested.

Misha link

9/6/2017 01:54:35 pm

I guess I'm not that much of an introvert. I'm usually so proud of my achievement that I can't wait to tell people about it. :-D

Liz A. link

9/6/2017 06:49:15 pm

I think you just need to practice. Just tell one person tomorrow that you've published a book. Practice makes better, and it does get easier. Congrats.

dolorah link

9/6/2017 11:48:34 pm

I've been writing (and not getting the big bucks) long enough that my family isn't even interested. Should I become an overnight success, I'm sure I'll get all the family support I don't need anymore, lol.

Jemima Pett link

9/7/2017 05:12:40 am

I tell very few people I see (as opposed to chat to) that I've got a new book out, unless I know they are interested. I envy all those people who have relations that promote their books, tell them how wonderful they are, etc. I don't know what it is about me, but most of my close friends and family have already derided my attempts. Am I really so full of myself they have to take me down every time I do something new?
Having said that, my big brother is great. The others... meh.
Wow, that's a big IWSG confession.

George McNeese link

9/7/2017 09:45:26 am

I feel the same way. I really don't like telling anyone my progress. I feel like I disappoint people whenever I don't show noteworthy progress. Worse, if I have to scrap a project I told everyone I was working on.

Pat Garcia link

9/7/2017 10:18:48 am

Hi,
I think talking about our own work is something we grow into. When we feel confident about doing what we do then we discover that we don't have any problems or very little problems expressing ourselves.
I hope you find that confidence soon.
All the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Patricia <a href="https://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/html/">Everything Must Change</a>

Diane Burton

9/7/2017 05:02:55 pm

I have no problem letting online friends & colleagues know when a book is out, but in real life? It feels like bragging. I know I shouldn't feel that way. I should be proud. But there you go...

Congrats on the upcoming release. I signed up to help you celebrate.

Yvonne V link

9/7/2017 05:08:00 pm

I hate it too, but I make myself try to mention writing milestones because it seems to be a requirement in the business!

Chrys Fey link

9/7/2017 07:32:07 pm

Haha. I've fallen a little behind on things, and with the active hurricane season, I will do my best to contact you mid to end September to work on your book. :)

I tell my blogging friends and make announcements on social media about my books, but not family or friends in real life. From my experience, they don't seem to care. :(

Tyrean Martinson link

9/7/2017 09:55:17 pm

I agree with Ken. I think exhaustion at the end of a project really gets to me. I hope that when I eventually get done with another project that I remember to celebrate first, then prep to hit the final publish buttons.

Nas link

9/8/2017 12:51:00 am

I'm the same! My real life family don't even know what my online blogging friends know about me. And no one knows about my writing as I write under a pen name.

Michelle Wallace link

9/8/2017 01:57:34 am

In real life, I don't talk about my 'writerly endeavours'.
I can't bear the strange/confused looks that some people give... or maybe I'm just a bit too hyper-sensitive about my writing and see reactions that are not even there... LOL
I'd rather people didn't know too much.

Samantha Bryant link

9/8/2017 06:36:17 pm

I don't have any trouble sharing new releases and sales and the like. It's figuring out what to put out there in social media when I *don't* have an announcement of any sort. It's hard to keep re-engaging on social media and the like when I really just want to tunnel into the NEXT writing project. @mirymom1 from
<a href="http://samanthabryant.com">Balancing Act</a>

Nick Wilford link

9/10/2017 02:56:04 pm

Those characters are definitely alive, sometimes they do things you never expect. I always struggle with promotion too, but writing a book is an amazing achievement and you should be proud to talk about it!

#IWSG What is my problem?

On to my insecurities...

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