tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post189043335296245840..comments2023-10-29T04:09:42.109-04:00Comments on The Edit Cafe: Publishing Is SCARY!JoAnnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16027015583205497259noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-20791467411002116032007-11-05T17:09:00.000-05:002007-11-05T17:09:00.000-05:00Jess and Patricia,Please send me your mailing addr...Jess and Patricia,<BR/>Please send me your mailing address to rgermany at Barbour Books .com.<BR/>Thanks,<BR/>BeckyBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161967996164905671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-16360891199309945242007-11-05T13:47:00.000-05:002007-11-05T13:47:00.000-05:00# 4, Writer’s Block reminded me of an incident las...# 4, Writer’s Block reminded me of an incident last week. I had struggled for a couple of hours to plot some additional scenes for a wip. It was like plowing through a field of rocks, and I didn’t make much headway. <BR/>Later, when I wasn’t even thinking about my story, someone said something that jumpstarted my creative juices. Thankfully, I wasn’t driving and had the back of a grocery list and a pen handy. In about 5 minutes, I jotted down ten ideas for scenes. <BR/>Maybe there’s such a thing as thinking TOO hard!Pam Hillmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08604636348596615139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-59329003247867599102007-11-03T02:53:00.000-04:002007-11-03T02:53:00.000-04:00Well, since I haven't been published yet, most of ...Well, since I haven't been published yet, most of my fears have to do with the submission process such as: Did I spell the editor's name right?<BR/>But when it comes to the actual publishing process, I worry that I will miss a simple mistake in my proofing and everyone else will miss it as well. Because I work on a couple <I>wips</I> at a time, I have been known to use one heroine's name in more than one <I>wip</I>. <BR/>In one of my <I>wips,</I> I am thinking of changing the dog's name but even using the <I>find and replace</I> feature, will I get them all changed or will I leave a strange dog in the novel?Anita Mae Draperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16618699900826731377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-12366677365763521042007-11-02T19:58:00.000-04:002007-11-02T19:58:00.000-04:00Just gonna go ahead and ask Lynette. If you're Dor...Just gonna go ahead and ask Lynette. If you're Dorothy then, well, I'm going through the powerful people in Oz and not liking the possibilities...<BR/>Hey, maybe Glinda, huh? Hope?<BR/>Oops, I shouldn't have asked.<BR/>Flying monkeys at three o'clock!!!<BR/>AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-48721235895282735672007-11-02T19:29:00.000-04:002007-11-02T19:29:00.000-04:00Okay, I have yet to conquer this fear - but it is ...Okay, I have yet to conquer this fear - but it is coming. Public speaking about my writing ministry. Today I was invited to speak about writing to a middle school English class. Yikes! The ultimate clammy hands and thumping heart scenerio. But God does not give us more than we can handle. He prepares us, step by step. My son and I have had opportunities in recent months to speak about our hike in different public arenas. And I enjoyed it very much. I believe God used it in preparation for this next big step of faith - to speak about writing and in a way that will minister to others. Already when my husband told me about the opportunity, I was rehearsing what I would say.<BR/><BR/>So this is a fear still to be overcome. But God is already at work, praise be.Lauralee Blisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11923463083025047230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-60235888394290676182007-11-02T15:10:00.000-04:002007-11-02T15:10:00.000-04:00Don't laugh, but I was terrified of talking to edi...Don't laugh, but I was terrified of talking to editors. It was VERY scary for me. I still remember 2002, the FIRST time I talked face-to-face to an editor (hi Becky). My hands were shaking before I went into my appointment. But I really, really wanted to talk to her, to see if she liked my ideas. I mean, hey, this lady had the POWER to yes or no. I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. I made it through. :) Those projects? They're long gone. I don't even remember what they were. <BR/><BR/>Then 2 or 3 years down the road, it dawned on me during an appointment...the editor sitting across the table is a fellow book lover, like me. They get paid to read for a living...and choose from all that they read. A tough job, but an editor has to be passionate about words. Realizing that the editor is a fellow reader really helped me. I still get butterflies, because I want to put my best foot forward and make my ideas sound great verbally, but I think that's part of the process. :)Lynette Sowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14744849531318234556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-47584194156258715572007-11-02T08:44:00.000-04:002007-11-02T08:44:00.000-04:00Good comments. I see that picking a winner on Mond...Good comments. I see that picking a winner on Monday is going to be hard.Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161967996164905671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-22140892937937851112007-11-01T15:24:00.000-04:002007-11-01T15:24:00.000-04:00For a while, I had a fear of submitting a proposal...For a while, I had a fear of submitting a proposal. If you don't submit, you can't be rejected--but you also will never get published. <BR/><BR/>I'm writing for God, so at some point I realized it's all in His hands anyway and started sending in proposals. God has blessed me with sales, and I truly appreciate the Barbour folks involved in purchasing my books.<BR/><BR/>Sadly, I see this same fear within my writer's group. We have some fabulous writers who finally finish a book but never send in a proposal. I keep encouraging them, "Send it in. It just might sell."Vickie McDonoughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09698966142886006577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-89335451631157028162007-11-01T15:01:00.000-04:002007-11-01T15:01:00.000-04:00My WIP is the hardest book I've ever written. I've...My WIP is the hardest book I've ever written. I've started it at different places and time frames, trying to get it "right"--whatever that is. As you said, it's subjective. This novel has a unique format with a contemporary storyline that has a few chapters set in the past. Trying to get it right--meaning, which part of the story has the best hook so it'll reel in the reader? while being true to the story itself--is my biggest fear.<BR/><BR/>Yesterday I had an epiphany, and it's flowing like gravy over rice right now. Hallelujah!Kristy Dykeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09513637012962943901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-43769193851187829712007-11-01T13:26:00.000-04:002007-11-01T13:26:00.000-04:00So many fears. I share most of them and more.I thi...So many fears. I share most of them and more.<BR/><BR/>I think my greatest fear is that I can't find the words to tell the story in my head. My attempts always fall short of what I want but I fear they will also fall short of delivering a satisfying read to the reader. Every day I ask God for His help. He never fails but I know I do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-60856578818465903232007-11-01T13:02:00.000-04:002007-11-01T13:02:00.000-04:00Oh, I've got another fear. This one should be in t...Oh, I've got another fear. This one should be in the dictionary.<BR/>Submitters Remorse.<BR/>Kind of like that feeling you get after you buy something big, a house or a car, where you beat yourself up, feel sick and spend days in self-abuse.<BR/>What was I thinking?<BR/>I'll go broke!<BR/>I'll die hungry and alone and my children will be taken by the state and...<BR/>AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!<BR/>Well, submitters remorse is like that. You hit Send on your proposal or you mail off your contest entry or you send the actual whole completed book in to your editor.<BR/>The minute the mail goes or the email goes you freak out.<BR/>IT'S NOT READY!!!<BR/>I WANT IT BACK!!!<BR/>GIVE ME ONE MORE CHANCE TO EDIT IT!!!<BR/>Submitters remorse. I think knowing we having and admitting it is the first step to recovery.<BR/>Twelve step program and a support group.<BR/>Also, not appropriate nor necessary to mention, but:<BR/>Submitters remorse always sounds kinda dirty to me!!!!!!!!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-79049188934571559112007-11-01T12:02:00.000-04:002007-11-01T12:02:00.000-04:00So many fears! Ugh.I would say my biggest fear was...So many fears! Ugh.<BR/><BR/>I would say my biggest fear was leaving my first publisher, who was slowly changing to an increasingly "erotic" romance publisher. To write sweet and/or inspirational romance, I left a small press publisher who had achieved book store selling and was actually paying a decent royalty, but who no longer supported my values.Robin Baynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640632701164428942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-19024532391020003262007-11-01T11:06:00.000-04:002007-11-01T11:06:00.000-04:00I have a couple of fears that have plagued me in t...I have a couple of fears that have plagued me in the past. I was surprised to learn a lot of writers think like I do. In fact, had lunch with some writer friends the other day and we were discussing this very thing: <BR/><BR/>Fear of Failure: Everyone--church friends, family, neighbors--is watching me, wondering if I'll ever sell anything. When they see me they always ask: sold anything yet? They probably think I'm such a loser, wasting my time and I'm probably proving to them that I am.<BR/><BR/>Fear of Success: What if I actually do sell something? Yikes! Then my friends and family will really be watching and waiting. And when the book comes out, how will they judge me? Will they think it's stupid? Then I'll have to write another one and another one and ... Can I do it?<BR/> <BR/>Talk about the voice of Satan! Most writers live inside their heads. We can conjure up all kinds of fears. We can easily drive ourselves crazy. A perfect example of why we should know and recognize the sweet encouragement of Jesus. He's my cheerleader. . . but sometimes I fail to hear His voice over all the other noise inside my head.Jessica Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320362797117599955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-5522020935067963452007-11-01T11:05:00.000-04:002007-11-01T11:05:00.000-04:00Mary's comment about interviewers who LOVE to talk...Mary's comment about interviewers who LOVE to talk about writing hit home once again. Too many times I'm one of those "interviewers." Becky, you did cover the major fear groups in this. As I read your post and the other comments, I was reminded of Proverbs 14:23 NLT: Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!<BR/><BR/>I tend to allow fear of failure or success or of almost any part of the writing/publishing process to delay my obedience to the Lord. I worry that when I'm editing, I won't do an adequate job. That I'll miss something huge. Talking about what I do, or am supposed to do, too many times takes the place of being obedient and getting to work.<BR/><BR/>When I do finally get to work, asking the Lord to conquer those fears, I find that He's right there beside me helping me know the next plot point I need to include in my own writing, or giving me a clear mind to see what needs to be edited in order to make another writer's work more powerful.<BR/><BR/>So yes, I battle fears on both sides of the publishing world—as an author and as a freelance editor. Thanks the reminder, Becky!Marjorie Vawterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12891691423146562031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-16694338185119408392007-11-01T10:08:00.000-04:002007-11-01T10:08:00.000-04:00For a new writer, a big fear is the fear of the un...For a new writer, a big fear is the fear of the unknown. There's so much to learn. Where to start? Sure, begin by writing but does any of it make sense? Am I doing it right? Will I ever get someone to look at it? <BR/><BR/>Should I take online courses? Which ones? Should I go to conferences? What will I do when I get there? How do I write a query letter? What's a synopsis? Where do I get help? Who can I trust?<BR/><BR/>I've found lots of joy in hurdling each unknown, each mini-success pushing me closer to my goals. So many have helped, in ways they'll never know, which helps me to understand why so many writers give so much of themselves to others. They're simply doing what was done for them.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-76229842813317705752007-11-01T09:20:00.000-04:002007-11-01T09:20:00.000-04:00Mary, I LOVE your "minimum daily requirement" comm...Mary, I LOVE your "minimum daily requirement" comment!<BR/><BR/>Another fear: will it last? Or is it a fluke? I say this as I battle multiple deadlines and wonder if I'll have anything else under contract next summer. That one, I know, is a lack of faith.<BR/><BR/>Regarding stealing: I once proposed a personality profile to a local magazine that had published several of my pieces. They never replied, and to my chagrin, they published the profile I had proposed--written by someone else! It took me a long time to realize that perhaps the other author had also suggested the same personality, and they decided to go with her proposal instead of mine.<BR/><BR/>Courage, they say, is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of fear ... so let us go forth and write, regardless of the fears and doubts that assail us!<BR/><BR/>DarleneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-84011032638947728132007-11-01T08:40:00.000-04:002007-11-01T08:40:00.000-04:00Yes, I hadn't given much thought how scary self ma...Yes, I hadn't given much thought how scary self marketing can be. :)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161967996164905671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5157905786947425443.post-49964061296971065062007-10-31T12:32:00.000-04:002007-10-31T12:32:00.000-04:00You've covered all the major fear groups. minimum ...You've covered all the major fear groups. minimum daily requirement for me is three servings a day everyday.<BR/>My major fear is marketing.<BR/>I think I've done okay at it but it is WAY outside my comfort zone. One of the things that saved me was a newspaper interview in which I discovered that the people who write newspapers are...brace yourself it's profound...writers.<BR/>Once I realized this I found out that most interviewers LOVED to talk writing. Sometimes the 'writing talk' wouldn't even make the story but it was actually fun to just yak away with another writer and the interview flowed from there.<BR/>When I sold my first book I made a promise to myself, Barbour and God. I'd been given this opportunity and I was going to step up and do what was needed all down the line. Including marketing so I've stepped out in faith over and over. First the blog interviews, those were pretty easy, just writing...no problem.<BR/>Then the phone interviews, scary but I did okay.<BR/>Then the face to face interviews...and they'd want a picture...yikes.<BR/>Then the true horror of giving a speech. so NOT my gift. But I did okay.<BR/>Then a live radio interview.<BR/>By this time my standard of success at the end of whatever event was, "No one was killed."<BR/>So, measured by that, things are looking pretty good.<BR/>Publishing IS scary!!!Mary Connealyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09598386111251769803noreply@blogger.com