Last year, when a friend suggested that I try writing a book, I was all excited! I could not wait to get started and finished two within about a month, did all my own editing and got them self-published as soon as I could. That was when I made the mistake.
Well, I am still debating whether it was a mistake or a misdirection. I have learned quite a bit about the marketing side of being a self-published author, but I am still trying to decide if these small positives outweigh the negatives.
What was the mistake? Joining a few different writing groups on Facebook. Now you do not have to tell me I should have thick skin and not take things personally. I have been writing for many years, just not books, and I have been in the spotlight often. And I am not whining about it all. Just have been wanting to say these things and have been putting it off.
I have a very high comprehension level, so when I read things, I retain a lot of the information. Sometimes this is good, sometimes it is bad. In the case of writing books, it becomes overwhelming. All I seem to think about is all the rules that people would post about in those groups. You can’t do this, you can’t do that. Don’t dangle your participle, show instead of tell, and many other little tidbits that when you uncover them all, drive you absolutely crazy! I don’t know about you, but when I am reading a book, I do not stop when reading a sentence and say “Oh no! She dangled a participle!” So why is it so darn important that other authors like to take this rule or whatever other rules and constantly shove them in your face? I know that was probably a rude way to say it, but there….it’s been said. And then all the critique about people who write books and do not hire professional editors. It is like we are pariahs to the writing world. Well, I am sorry, but I am unable to pay for a professional editor. And don’t tell me I can find it. It is not there. Don’t judge. And funny thing is, people have read my books and actually enjoyed reading them. So I have that going for me at least.
So now, here I am with two other books in process and I am so overwhelmed with rules and feeling like the stuff I am writing is absolute junk, that I have lost almost all desire to write any more. I have moved on to other projects, like starting my own online store. And not that there aren’t any frustrations doing that, but I am not in any groups that have others talking about this topic, so I am free to do as I please with all aspects of developing, growing and promoting the store.
So, in the meantime, my stories sit. I struggle to think of things to put in this blog. I guess I should start writing about how to start an online store…lol. And well, if you are interested, here is the link to the store: CALADAISY
In the meantime, I hope you all keep following along here. I will get back to writing some fun blogs to fill in while my book writing takes a hiatus.
