It’s time for another edition of The Insecure Writer’s Support Group, founded by Ninja Captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh.
The question for today: Some common fears writers share are rejection, failure, success, and lack of talent or ability. What are your greatest fears as a writer? How do you manage them?
I think my concerns have to do with my past, earlier efforts. I worry that my first efforts, written about 20 years ago, don’t measure up and those who have read them won’t read my most recent efforts.
Paranormal romance is very popular, but my In Darkness books have not found a large audience. Four separate eBooks or one print/eBook – readers have options. Are they not selling because my previous fiction wasn’t as good?
Or is it another reason? Are the stories too clean? Do paranormal romance readers only want R and X rated material?
Either way, it’s both frustrating and not a moral booster.
* * *
In food board news…
And my garden! Growing so well.
What are your fears?
Do you have a garden?
27 comments:
There's no easy answer to this, but second guessing reader reaction is something that might inhibit you from growing and moving forward. Each book is only the best thing you could have written at the time. The pictures are mouthwatering, for sure!
It's tough because we evolve as writers, but I try to remember what's past is past.
Your garden looks amazing!
I'm envious of your garden, and that taco board is making me drool!
Trying to figure out why certain books don't sell can be maddening. Book 2 of my western series is the least favorite, but I figured it was due to the fact the heroine is a r@pe survivor, and readers may be avoiding that subject matter. It is an emotionally heavy book, too.
Keep writing and publishing. Paranormal romance is a huge category, and you're right. S#x sells. But I'm sure there's a place for clean reads. If it's really bothering you, read some of the better (clean) sellers in the category and see if you can figure out what makes them popular.
It must be hard not seeing your books sell like you want. Sadly, many authors go through this, though it doesn't make it easier. I love your garden and food trays.
Yummy! (Food boards, so much cheese...) Many author friends write cross-genre (and even make that public knowledge) but use a pseudonym for each genre. Truthfully, I used to read EVERYTHING and these days I've figured out what I LIKE to read. That includes about 10 genres, occasionally dabbling in others. Even when authors I like write cross genre, I won't necessarily pick up one of their books in another area. Hope that's a little encouraging...
There are a few things from my past I'd like to fix. But, as Eckhart Tolle says, we only have the 'now.' The closer I get to the last chapter in my life, the more I just want to enjoy each moment. Thanks to you delicious temptations, I think I'll go and enjoy some breakfast. Blessings
I'm wondering if you haven't found your perfect readers yet. I think it's like dating, but with this, there is no limit to how many you'll charm. Keep at it and you'll get there.
Anna from elements of emaginette
We all grow. After years of blogging, I look at my old posts and cringe. I want to edit them all. All we can do is put out the best work we can do now, and always strive to be better.
I forgot to add how much I loved your food board. I have company coming this weekend and now I have something to aim for.
I'm not published yet but I always thought finding my audience would be tricky. I know it's frustrating, but you should still be proud of the books you've put out there!
Love the food boards!
We're competing with millions of published books as well as a declining readership. The fact that you actually wrote and published books that sold is a mark of success.https://substack.com/@cleemckenzie/p-162835681
Ah, overcoming perfection, I can so relate! What you do, Diane, is immeasurable. What I've always admired best about you is your striving to write what you love.
ps. Love the food boards!! My hubby is building me a greenhouse. It's still a bit early here for a garden outdoors. Temperatures at night average around 32F
Hi Diane - your garden is certainly growing well - sadly I don't have one ... something I'd love to have but don't. Your food board is great to see - and I expect will adapt over the changing seasons ... your guests will enjoy - as hubby and you - cheers Hilary
I think connecting with our audiences in this day and age is really hard. I agree about worries about the writing quality of the older books, though. I sometimes think about re-editing mine to make them stronger. Doubt I will ever do it, but I think about it :)
I enjoyed your early books, Diane, and I also enjoyed "In Darkness" (although paranormal romance is not a go to genre for me). I read a sex-filled paranormal novel I found on the laundry room exchange shelf at the Royal Kuhio. I was desperate for something to read. 😂. The pages and pages and pages of explicit sex did not impress me. I liked your short stories much better. I think we are living in difficult and uncertain times now, and maybe people have less time and energy to read. I think it's important to write the stories in you and not write something you think has a better chance of selling. You are one of my heroes!
Ah yes, the luck factor. Wouldn't it be great if there was some mechanism that would say "good writing" and then sales would flow from that? Unfortunately, some of the best writing might be overlooked because of random circumstance. It's not you.
We can never predict what the readers would like or dislike. We can only guess. You might be able to guess better than most because you're a publisher, but I stopped worrying about it some time ago. Now, I write to please myself. It is liberating.
Love your food boards. I want to come there and grab a bite.
Your food board and garden is beautiful! I haven't published a book yet, so I can't really speak to reader reaction, but I know that you have to be careful about reading (sorry about the pun!) too much into it.
Melissa, thank you for the tip.
Crystal, I probably should've gone with a pen name for the series. Too late now.
Liza, I hope I have inspired you.
Joylene, I appreciate that so much. And that is chilly.
Louise, thank you so much. That made me smile.
Thank you all for the nice words about the food boards. I work so hard on them and have done two more since I scheduled this post last week!
Look at that garden! You know, Di, I think most writers are suffering with down sales right now.
It’s hard to let our early work share space with our developed work, isn’t it?
I don't like looking or dwelling on past writings. There's a market for every book, the secret is finding it and then go all out. That's the part I hate - marketing
Who knows what readers are looking for. There's many genres to chose from. I agree with the statement, don't write what for the popular trend, write what you enjoy. Trends change quickly. Your food boards are amazing. And I love your gardens.
A lot of it is about finding the right audience and so the audience that shares your views, likes and beliefs.
I do not want R material. Let me be more specific because I do have battles and stuff, I don't need details or "throbbing" if ya know what I mean. ;)
I have a garden! I was just out in the pouring rain adding soil to my raised bed. Maybe not the best idea, but it was fun. :)
Your boards always look delicious.
Clean reads sell...but for some reason, I always think of cozy first. I love it when I find a clean paranormal romance. There really aren't many out there, it seems.
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