Happy Insecure Writer Support Group Wednesday!
This is our day, once a month, for writers across the globe to scream and rattle their fists at the Universe- Join us!
I recently had some serious downtime, no internet, no TV while I was housesitting for a friend. No, she's not crazy, she just really likes things simple at home ;).
This downtime gave me the time to really look at the whole marketing/what-the-hell-was-I thinking aspect for going Indie published.
I kinda had a mini melt down.
There is so much to be thinking about and doing if one is going Indie. Not only writing the best damn book you can, then keep writing those things at a quick pace, but the marketing, the editing, the hiring artists, websites, etc.
I lucked out and have an awesome website coming up- I won it at auction in the Brenda Novak Diabetes Auction and it will look amazing. Which is about the only part of this madcap plan that feels anchored right now.
I can't find an artist- granted, I only tried one, but it didn't work out so now I'm freaking that I can't find an artist who gets my work and does market professional covers within my price range.
I'm freaking out that even with editing, my books won't be "perfect". (I hear the laughing out there- yeah, yeah, no such thing as perfect- tell my primitive brain that!)
I'm freaking out about writing fast enough- I am fast- but I get derailed by bright and sparkling things...ok, by most things. What if I can't keep up?
What if I can't figure out all the damn algorithms from Amazon?
I sort of feel like this photo of mine:
Like my goal is waaaaaay at that far end, and I might just fall through the rocks at any moment along the way.
Yep- that's freaking me out too.
I love that I am going to get my work out there, and deep inside I trust myself to do great books, and hire great folks to help me (ok, lack of money is freaking me out too)- I just need to get past all the fear. And do it anyway :).
Words of support welcome!
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Just remember you don't have to have everything completed at once. So take your time.
ReplyDeleteDid you use the time at your friends house to write. That always relaxes me. Except of course during those times whenthe words refuse to come.
Thanks, Ken :). I think I definitely need to take my time. I did actually get some writing and editing done along with my thinking about the business end of things, being in a different place was good for the writing :).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I am right there with you, my love! OMFG. Seriously! This is such a wild and zany trip. Just last night I had an editor tell me my novel needed extensive work ~ this is after 5 betas, a copy edit pass, developmental editing, and then more betas. Yes, this industry is trying to kill us. That's what I'm thinking. Kill us, or make us so bullet proof nothing can harm our fragile little hearts.
ReplyDeleteBreathe.
It'll be fine. Just remember that you love writing and this is what you've chosen to do. Even when it's daunting, like now, it's what we love.
Breathe again.
We got this. And you know I'm always here for you! We need tea!!!
Oh man! ok, that sucks about the editor, Tameri- maybe they were having a bad month. I do need the reminders to breathe BIG TIME! LOL- I can feel everything starting to close in- then some kind folks remind me I'm doing this because I want to :).
DeleteAnd yes, we do need tea!
Thanks for coming by and commenting!
Take it one step at a time or, as Anne Lamott writes, Bird by Bird (great book for writers, BTW). Breathe, enjoy the journey. You'll get there.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. I haven't read Bird by Bird in a long time- perhaps it's time to do so! Thanks for the reminder :)
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I'm not even started on Indie and I'm still overwhelmed by all the promotion stuff necessary to sell books.
ReplyDeleteJackie, maybe we just need to see one section at a time- focus on one aspect, then when that's sold do the next? Otherwise at least you and I can freak out together!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Ooof, yeah, writing itself is hard enough without all the other stuff that goes into it, too. I'm impressed at you for tackling everything you are on top of a day job. Be sure to give yourself credit for doing so and for going after your dream. There is no rule stating that this level of success/accomplishment is where you have to stay.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything!
Thank you, Cecilia! The soul sucking nature of my day job motivates me I think to remind myself I'm more than just that person :). But you're right- I should give myself credit for what I've done so far- thank you for reminding me!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Maybe if you take a look behind you, you'll see how far you've come in such a short time. Seems like yesterday you were kicking around the idea of indie but hadn't made the decision. Now a website is near at hand and you've got a much better handle on what it takes to get a book cover you like. Did you think you'd even be this far along this fast when you first made up your mind? You're doing great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon! Reminding me to take a look is very important- again back to a semi fetal position when I go into freak out mode- taking a look pulls you right out of that :).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Self-publishing can definitely be a challenge, but I enjoy it for the freedom of making choices! The promotion stuff isn't fun, but I enjoyed being able to help with my cover and getting an opinion with things. If you are looking for an affordable editor, Kyra Lennon (author of Game On Series) is wonderful! Also, Morgan Media (run by Rachel Morgan, author of Creepy Hollow Series) makes wonderful covers and is affordable too! Good luck with everything! Take it one day at a time and enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Krista for the suggestions of folks, and the reminder to enjoy the process. I need all of it ;).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I'm indie published, so I know exactly how you feel! BUT...here's the good thing...indies have freedom to do what you want when you want, without the pressure to sell a gazillion copies in the first two weeks. My advice? Enjoy the process and don't sweat it too much.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie! I think once I get settled down, I am really going to enjoy having control over when, where and how my books go into the world :).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Marie, congratulations on your decision to self-publish! How exciting! So who is doing your website?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vonnie! Good to see you :). My website is going to be designed by Rae Monet Designs and the specs I have seen so far are awesome! They do really excellent work!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
It can definitely make you crazy! LOL Deep breaths... and know that at least you'll have control over your finished product! That's a huge burden lifted! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa! Just keep reminding me about those deep breaths! I think I will enjoy Indie publishing, I seem to have control issues ;).
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
There is a lot you have to do when you're taking the indie path. Just remember, you don't have to do it all at once. One thing at a time, and before you know it, you will have your book in your hands and it will be AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patricia :). I think you hit it- one thing at a time. I need to slow down and realize there is no one hounding me to get these things done immediately! Easier said than done, but I'm going to try.
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Wow, I could have written that post myself. I have those how-am-I-ever-going-to-do-this feelings all the time. What others have said -- to just breathe and go one step at a time -- has helped me keep my sanity. If we don't give up, we'll get there. And then how amazing will that be!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori! You,re right, but its hard to keep reminding myself that!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
It does feel quite overwhelming, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think we need to remind ourselves - step by step is the way to proceed...
Good luck!
Writer In Transit
Thanks, Michelle! Hmmm, maybe some desk top "writer steps" little blocks to remind us to just keep focusing on one step at a time!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
I read about www.writer.ly in the RWR magazine. It's a resource for artists looking for jobs and writes looking for artists where you can negotiate with potential clients. It's still in Beta right now but it seems to be working great and there are plenty of artists out there looking to connect with authors.
ReplyDeleteOOOO! Thanks Laura! I always read that thing so fast that I miss things...then I hold on to them forever, because I know I missed things! ;). I'll have to check it out!
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!