The first Wednesday of each month we post to the world something we're insecure about--not a problem we're writers' EVERYTHING makes us insecure ;). So, to my fellow insecure writers- both on and off the blog roll- here I go :).
This month's insecurity is about letting folks down. I'm talking about when someone reads part of your work and gushes about it (or even just says, "Hey, that's not bad") and then wants to read more.
I am terrified that they'll get to the rest of the work and throw it against the wall. They'll realize that I'm a fraud (ahh- another IWSG blog rears it's head for a future month ;)) and I'll let them down.
Or, my writing could be fine, but they may have an idea where my story is going that varies wildly from where I went with it.
In short, I freak if someone likes my work but hasn't read the entire bit of whatever project they're reading. I hate to think I'm going to disappoint them.
What about you? Any deeply hidden fears lurking in your psyche?
I say, hand out more of your writing samples to trusted, supportive people. The more you do it, the easier it gets. My work has grown so much from the people who challenged me and my stories. They make me a better writer! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie! I will say this happens less, the more books I write ;). So maybe if I let more folks read them, it'll lessen even more!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting and the insight!
Oh dear. I joined that group a while ago then never followed up. And posting my insecurities on Wednesday would be a great step forward. Then I could post more of them on Tuesday and Thursday...I think most of us are a mass of insecurities until we get to busy to worry about it. Not at that point of busy yet!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your fears.
LOL! Glad my post reminded you, Mona! :). I expect you see you posting your insecure writing tidbits asap!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting.
Great post, Marie! Don't expect those fears to go away when you get published. If anything, for me, the stakes of disappointing people just got higher. You know what really helped me the most? BAD REVIEWS. Yes, bad reviews.
ReplyDeleteAt first, they just hurt. But then I started seeing things...like the part this person hated was another person's favorite part, the hero this person loved with the strength of a thousand suns, another person wished would die a painful death, and so on, and so on... Until I realized--wow, this is SOOOooo subjective. I actually can't please everybody no matter how hard I try.
And then, within reason, you stop trying to please everyone and you get to the place again where you write what makes you happy, and just hope there are a few people out there (your future readers) who like it too. :)
Hugs to you!!
Thanks, Cassi! And thanks for some insight to the "other side"...although, ya coulda just lied and said it was all sunshine and lollypops over there...another bubble burst!
DeleteThank you for coming by and commenting-- and letting me know that it might get worse, but then get a lot better :).
Welcome to the group, Marie. I'm a newbie too, only been around three months.
ReplyDeleteI still haven't had anyone read my work outside of my family. I'm just a chicken! I haven't developed that thick skin yet and I don't know when it will happen unless I actually get the courage to allow someone other than my family to read my work!
Thank you, Elsie :). I have to say it seems like a great group! You'll know when it's time to let others see your work :).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I always worry that the people reading my work(family members and one CP) are afraid to tell me how bad my writing really is. So I never get around to worrying about whether they're disappointed with subsequent chapters.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the IWSG!
That would be a worry, that's for sure, Ken! Although, it does absolve you of my own little neurotic tic ;).
DeleteThank you for the welcome and coming by and commenting!
That's a hard one to answer. I've sent half my WIP to a fellow writer only to have them say nothing. And I mean nothing, no "Send me the rest". That's debilitating. But I survived. I'm here. I'm even published. Sadly, the insecurities never go away. I hear JK Rowling still has them. When she end the Harry Potter series and wrote an adult book, you bet your booties she was terrified.
ReplyDeleteI think worry and fear are good for writers. They're akin to a shot of moonshine. Don't you think?
Happy IWSG, Marie.
Ouch! That would hurt! (ok, yeah, honesty time--I have sent work to friends and heard nothing...NOTHING...). Good point about us never getting over it and worry and fear having some positive attributes for us--I think you might be right :).
DeleteThank you for coming by and commenting, and happy IWSG to you too!
I can't say I've had that worry, but I have worried that people won't like anything I write. I think if someone likes your samples, then they'll enjoy the rest. *crosses fingers just to be safe* ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know, on some logical level I think I know that--it's the whole emotional aspect that messes me up ;).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting, Patricia!
I've never experienced that kind of fear or worry. I'd be thrilled that they want to read more! Just think that the way they thought the story was going was the obvious way. You are an original and your story reflects that. Be proud! If they have some ideas you can utilize, great. But most people don't like being able to guess the end of the story, cause then it's like so many they've read in the past. Kudos to you for being an original!
ReplyDeleteOOOOO! I like the way you think, Nancy! I hadn't thought of it that way, but that's very true. I personally hate guessing the ending on a book, movie, or even TV show.
DeleteThank you! :) You got me realizing a few things about my writing.
Thanks for the comments and great insight 9and the kudos!)
I guess I'm like others and just worry that I really can't write stories that capture people's imaginations. I fear that I'll ask someone to read my work and wait forever for them to finish only to get no useful feedback, because I have experienced it. Here are a few reviews I've received from my readers. "I've read worse." OUCH. And it doesn't tell me anything. "I can tell the person who wrote this must really love horses." Huh? What about the story? What about all the tragedy that occurs to the horse raising protagonists? Since then I actually write out questions at the end of the story for the reader to answer so that I can get some level of useful feedback. Sending out my work still fills me with angst though.
ReplyDeleteGood thought provoking post, Marie.
Sharon
Thanks, Sharon! Ok, it would be worse if they said "I've not read worse!"
DeleteThat's great that you have questions for the reader, not great that they aren't responding :(. I am with you on the angst though!
Thanks for coming by and commenting!
Hi, I'm brand new to this, just joined today. But I'm pretty amazed we writers and aspiring writers tend to have the same insecurities. I agree that sometimes it's worse when someone has read some of your work, and the sense of expectation on you gets very overwhelming. I start feeling like it must have been just a fluke and oh noes, what if they find out what a hack I really am! ;) I just try to take a deep breath and remind myself that there will always be someone somewhere who won't like my stuff; that's true of all writers, even the most successful ones and not to take it personally. And just as likely, others will like it just fine.
ReplyDeleteHi CE :)
DeleteI think because we create worlds, people, etc we put so much of ourselves in everything we do. It's always hard to think someone might not love our baby like we do-but you're right-others may love it :).
Thanks for coming by and commenting!
I have the same problems, what if they only are saying they like it because they are nice people? What about the really vicious people out there, what will they think? But if I wrote for other people I would be miserable. Sometimes we just have to take a deep breath and jump from the high dive. The best part is having a group like this you know will support you! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy! Yeah, there are some nasty folks out there (seen some results in contests--one judge loves something, the next tears it to shreds ;)). But I totally agree, with support we can do anything!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Hi Marie,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful group to join. My biggest insecurity is pretty much the same. Finding out what they really think. LOL
And thanks for dropping by my blog today. :-)
Hi Dawn!
DeleteThis is my first month, but it seems to full of great folks- go add your blog to their blog roll :).
You're most welcome, and thanks for coming over here and commenting!
Feeling like you might disappoint is a terrible thing. I get this feeling a lot, and it's not easy to grapple with. I think at the end of the day you have to relax and tell yourself that hey, not everyone will like everything, and that the readers who love you will appreciate your artistic vision.
ReplyDeleteSorry it took me a while to get to this post. I've had an insane week!
Alexandra~