I'm co-hosting Unicorn Bell
today with:
Sorry guys but this one is for
the ladies.
*******************************************
Last month I wobbled back and forth between insecure and
secure.
I sent the first three chapters of my book to several
beta readers *insert insecurity* and received excellent feedback. What
made my day was that everyone liked Avrianna, Rainer, and their relationship. *insert
security* I did have some things to work on with the setting/world building and
Avrianna’s background, but with all of their help, plus the help of Yolanda Renee who has been sweet enough to read more chapters, I believe I have it
down. There will still be things (such as scenes) that need fixing as the story
progresses and my two betas read more chapters, but I’m ready for it! Well, I
will be after my initial bout of insecurity. Then after I fix it up, I'll feel secure again.
See? I’ve been wobbling.
GOOD NEWS: In case you didn’t see my announcement...I
signed a new contract with The Wild Rose Press for Seismic Crimes, book 2 in
the Disaster Crimes series. This will be my first novel-length book available
in print! I’m so excited. *Insert a mountain of security*
On top of working on Avrianna’s book with my betas, I
will be starting edits on Seismic Crimes with my editor. *insert a heap of
insecurity* Getting feedback from an editor, even if you have a contract, is
extremely nerve-racking. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to handle editing both
stories at the same time. Yup, you’ve got it...*insert another dose of
insecurity*
But I always persevere so I think I’ll be able to do it.
*insert security*
QUESTION: What about you? Have you been wobbling?
Oh I wobble every day. And I can wobble every minute. Sometimes I don't know if I'm coming or going. Oh the joys of being a writer. I do wish you luck with your projects.
ReplyDeleteUsually I don't wobble that much. I tend to stay with one side for awhile and then tip over to the other side for a while.
DeleteTwo major projects - and sounds like both are going well.
ReplyDeleteI try not to wobble too much. Otherwise I just fall over.
I hope they are both going well! ;)
DeleteI'm yet another wobbler, and I'm not just talking about my physical balance. I felt insecure as a beta reader, but in the end it was worth it. Just read my fourth novel for another writer, and even felt insecure writing the comments on that. Oh and still feeling insecure about what my readers will say. And I admire your commitment and perseverance.
ReplyDeleteInsecurity comes in many levels. I used to feel insecure about my comments as a beta reader until I did more critiquing. Thanks, Roland! :)
DeleteBook contract--ooh those words give me the shivers. Good shivers that is, like the words chocolate fondue. I'd take the wobbles any day over being stuck in insecurity mud. I don't feel too insecure about my writing or editing, but I've got a major insecurity about the marketing stuff. I need to do more.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Wobbling is better than being stick with insecurity. I hear you about the marketing front. It seems that no matter what I do and how often I do it, there's no impact.
DeleteIsn't that the way it goes? I won a big contest last week, then delving into insecurity this week. UGH!! Never ending. But I'm so happy for your good news! Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteIt is never ending. Thank you, Jennifer! :D
DeleteCongrats on the contract.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to keep too busy to wobble.
Thank you, L. Diane!
DeleteIt seems the busier I get, the more I wobble.
On a razor's edge. It's never easy get the job done. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
No, it's not.
DeleteI seem to wobble all the time. Congratulations on your contract!!!! You rock! I'm still reading Ghost, so have a lot to look forward to it seems... I am sooo happy for you!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!!!! :D I hope you enjoy Ghost of Death!
DeleteOh, I'm a wobbler, and it never gets easy. But wobbling, maybe stumbling is better than disappearing from writing. Congrats on the new contract!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Lidy. Thank you! :)
DeleteCongratulations on your new contract!
ReplyDeleteIt's natural to wobble back and forth between security and insecurity, the same way agony and ecstasy are such conjoined twins, and the way opposite emotions like happiness and sadness can't exist without one another.
Thank you, Carrie-Anne!
DeleteI usually don't wobble so much so quickly. It's been more than a roller coaster ride. It feels like I'm in a spaceship at warp speed.
My wobbling this month is worrying I don't have enough time to work on my story writing. I do so much blogging now, I feel my writing is getting lost.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the first book in print. I will pick it up for sure. :)
I still need to read the first one. I purchased it, then I lost my kindle. :/
I hear you on that. I'm blogging so much too. I actually regretted having to deal with today (IWSG Day) because I knew it would take a lot of time.
DeleteThank you!! You still haven't found your Kindle? Shucks!
Right about now, I'm considering my lost kindle a lost cause. I'll have to find another way to read Hurricane Crimes. Maybe that's the next disaster story for you, the lost kindle. LOL Well, it's a disaster for me.
DeleteThat's sad. :( A lost Kindle is truly a disaster. I can give you a PDF copy if you want. I'll need your email address. I don't think I have it.
DeleteThat would be awesome Chrys. jeffreysg @ gmail dotcom
DeleteThanks
If you bought it and can't read it, it's the least I can do. Sending the PDF to you now. :)
DeleteHi Chrys - it sounds like you may wobble - but you always turn upright! Good luck .. we need the rough wobbles with the smoothies .. : especially the new contract - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI may be upside for a a moment or two. ;)
DeleteCongratulations on the books! Get ready for even more insecurities! wobbling is a way of life for writers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ken!
Delete"Impressive, most impressive" says Darth Vader. Congrats on book contract. Proud of you, you go!! LOL, I don't wobble, I'm still at the bottom of the mountain 364 days minus one, at least ROFL @ self, yup!
ReplyDeleteJuneta Writer's Gambit
Thank you, Juneta! I hope you can wobble to the top of that mountain soon. :)
DeleteCongrats. Doubt is okay as long as it doesn't stop you from going for it and you seem to be doing just fine :-)
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thank you, Sherry! :D
Deleteyay, congrats on the contract!! and I wobble every.single.day!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! We can wobble together. :P
DeleteMaybe wobbling on my feet from sleep deprivation, but not from insecurity, unless we're talking about my kids and their successes. Funny how seeing them do well is so much more important to me than myself.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids but I'm sure watching them grow and do new things would be exciting and take my mind off my insecurities.
DeleteI wobble all the time. Right now I'm doing well though. Security is pretty high right now. I suppose that means it's due to take a nose dive soon and I do have beta notes to read....
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the good news.
Those beta notes can bring us down but after we open our minds to them and fix what needs fixing, back up we go.
DeleteThanks!
Yay, you!! Hate to say I told you so, so I won't. But you know!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm a regular Weeble; wobbling is my game. I often wonder if the incessant juggling I do is an unconscious effort to curb the wobbling - ha!
Doing a lot to stay busy is often a remedy to curb insecurity but for me it brings it.
DeleteI'm constantly wobbling! I can't even handle editing one book, let alone two AND with an editor. I'm sure you'll pull it off, though!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah! I'm wondering how I'm going to do it all.
DeleteI wobble a lot, but it sounds like you have a solid foundation for the no-wobblyness. That contract is awesome news. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loni! :D
DeleteCongratulations on the new contract! And you will handle everything - no worries! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeline! :D
DeleteIf I wobble my bad back may have a fit, so I'll stay secure and standing lol Awesome news on the new contract indeed. Full length novel sounds like it is coming along too.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to stay secure is a good thing. Lucky you! ;)
DeleteYes, you can do it. And how exciting for your new contract.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the vote of confidence, Beverly! :)
DeleteI am the consummate sandy beach flip flop in regards to security/insecurity. Pathetic, really. LOVE the ghost charm. I'm waiving my hands in the air for your book contract. Huge congrats.
ReplyDelete"consummate sandy beach flip flop" Ha! That's a good way of putting it.
DeleteThanks, Kai! :)
You have a lot going on, Chrys! Congrats on your novel getting published 'Seismic Crimes'. I look forward to reading it! Yes, I'm always waffling between confidence and what the hell am I doing? Especially with my fiction. I'm so close to getting my short story collection ready for editing and beta readers but have been neglecting it due to personal issues...ugh. Must finish!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa!! I understand how those personal issues can get in the way and cause havoc. I've been dealing with that a lot lately. I'm 3 chapters away from finishing book 3 in the Disaster Crimes series. I could finish it in a 5 days but I've been where I am for months because of other responsibilities. I volunteer to be a beta reader if you'd like me to take a look at your collection. :)
DeleteAt least you've got your moments of security. So just remember those when the insecurity hits. This too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Liz. Thank you! :)
DeleteI always wobble. A few years ago I participated in NaNoWriMo, and a few months later took one look at my manuscript and closed it. Still waiting for the right time to open it! Congrats on your new contract :)
ReplyDeleteI've never done NaNo but I probably would've done the same thing. :P I hope you open it soon and realize there's potential.
DeleteThanks, Sarah!
Isn't that part of life to wobble, no matter what field we may be in? Congrats on the book deal though!
ReplyDeletebetty
You're right. It absolutely is.
DeleteCongratulations on the contract! That's awesome. I wobble all the time; that's why I'm so neurotic. :) Right now I'm wobbling because even though I resolved to write, I still haven't made the time in the past few weeks due to work. I really should put writing first at least occasionally, because otherwise I'm always too tired to write.
ReplyDeleteThank you! :D HAHA! Neurotic. ;)
DeleteYou really should try to put writing first. Even if it's once a week.
I think my writing is always like that, full of ups and downs, cheering and crying. Its why I let myself get distracted so often.
ReplyDeleteDistraction is the easiest way to stop the see-sawing.
DeleteCongratulations on the contract! That's awesome. And try not to worry about the edits--you have a professional helping you tell your story the best way you can.
ReplyDeleteIt's all good! So happy for you.
Thank you, J.H.!!! You're right. And I do have a contract so no matter what goes on in the edits...they still want to publish it. ;)
DeleteMany congratulations on Seismic Crimes. It sound like my 'cup of tea' and I will definitely be giving that a read when its out. Keep us informed of its progress!
ReplyDeleteI wobble all the time and my natural physical balance is not good anyway - so a few light headed moments go on. However, like you Chrys, I have lots of perseverence. I like to think that the 'wobbles' keeps us grounded :)
Have a great week. You are an inspiration!
Thank you so much, Nicola! I will definitely keep everyone updated on its progress in my newsletter and here on my blog. :)
DeleteI think you're right that the wobbles keep us balanced. If we were secure all the time...*shivers*...I can't even imagine what type of person I;d be.
It sounds like you've got a lot going on, but it all sounds good! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura!
DeleteGreat post, Chrys. Do you remember Weebles (Weebles wobble but they don't fall down)? That's the life of a writer--secure one minute, insecure the next. Best wishes on your series.
ReplyDeleteI do remember Weebles. :P That is a great metaphor for writers. Thank you! :)
DeleteThis made me laugh as I am a star wobbler - if there was an Olympic event for it I'm sure I'd bring home the gold. But you have so much to be excited (and secure!) about I hope the security is winning out. Congrats again on the new contract!!
ReplyDeleteIf you take home the gold, I'll be taking home the silver then. ;) Most days the security does win out. Thank you, Julie!
DeleteYay!!! for nailing it done. Good for you. It's a great story. Can't wait to see it in print.
ReplyDeleteUm...down, not done. #slipofthefinger
DeleteThank you, SA! I appreciated your feedback. You helped me so much with getting it right. :)
DeleteGreat to read, yes, wobbling is a good word to use,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Wobbling is my new favorite word. ;)
DeleteWobble, not recently, I try to limit my alcohol intact to no more than two drinks a day :)
ReplyDeleteHAHA! But I don't drink.
DeleteYep, I've wobbled. Glad you're leaning more towards secure than insecure - I'll try to wobble that way myself.
ReplyDeleteWobbling is becoming a sporting event for me. :P
DeleteSounds awesome, Chrys! The parts which gave you heaps of security, I mean. But the wobbling act is part of the show, so bring on the small insecurities. I reckon they'll make us grow stronger. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been dealing with rather big insecurities and bigger securities, which is pretty unusual for me. Thanks, Claudine! :)
DeleteCongrats to you! I think when we think we are getting no where, we actually are progressing but just not at the speed we think we should be. I always wobble but i try never to fall down
ReplyDeleteThanks, Birgit! I haven't fallen down yet. Thank goodness.
DeleteCongratulations on the book sale! That's awesome news, Chrys!!! And yeah, I'm definitely a wobbler. I think it goes with the territory. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gisele! :)
Delete