Wednesday, May 2, 2012

IWSG: Weebles Wobble



It’s the first Wednesday of the month, time for


I was busy posting for the A to Z Challenge last month, so I forgot to write for the IWSG.  The last time I posted for the group in March, I was deliberating whether or not to concede to a major revision in order to get my book published.  Well, as most of you know, I did concede, and I got my book deal, but does that make me any less insecure?  Well, in some ways, yes, but in many others, no, not at all.


I suppose what made me most insecure was not landing an agent with my query, and I still haven’t achieved that, even if I did manage to land the bigger fish—the publisher.  I never really liked the idea of a gatekeeper anyway, but still, having the approval of one is a mighty form of validation, one which I desired.  So in that sense, I am still insecure. 


And I still worry obsessively, too, just about different things, things that are more or less out of my control.  But when you agree to publish, you have a very limited amount of control.  I’m an artist, so I have definitive ideas about my book’s cover, and while my publisher listened to my ideas, they are still the ones to decide what it’ll be.  I’m also worried about the edits, which are coming soon.  Though I’ve been assured there isn’t much to change, I know I’ll still have to kill a darling here or there—words, not characters.
 

Of course, my biggest insecurity is wondering how well my book will do once it’s released in October.  Its success will ride mostly on word-of-mouth.  Sure, there will be marketing and blog tours and reviews and all that, but you and I know that most books are made or broken by word-of-mouth.  And my audience is adult, a most discerning crowd. 

So while I’ve had my own brand of validation from my publisher, it’s all still a crap shoot.  Sure, I’ve had my share of accolades, which I am greatly appreciative of, but while many of those are from writers, they have since become my friends, so there’s some built-in bias there.  Come October, what are total strangers going to think?  Now there’s the true rub.  At this point, I feel kind of like one of those Weebles.  I wobble a lot, but I haven’t yet fallen down.  I just hope it stays that way.  

    

20 comments:

Jennifer Joyce said...

I'm going to pretend I haven't read this. As an aspiring writer, I imagine it is all plain sailing and roses once you have a publishing deal.

*sticks head back in the sand and refuses to come out*

Kirsten said...

I think even the most successful authors have second thoughts that no positive review or sales numbers can completely erase.
It might come down to believing in your story, because even at the most basic level, when it is just you and your blank page, as a writer you know what it is that you believe in. The difficulty might be in getting the rest of the world to understand it.
That said, a little wobbling is probably par for the course, and that's why IWSG is here for you!
I can't wait to read your book!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We'll do everything we can to help you with that word of mouth!
Strangers reading your book is a scary thing, because some won't get it. (And then post lame reviews on Amazon - always fun.) But some will get it and love what you wrote. And there's something really satisfying in a great review from someone you don't know!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Stay strong.
Keep moving forward.
You will never please everyone. And...you don't have to.

It will be great.
Heather

Lynn Proctor said...

yep strangers can be brutal--but i am sure you will be great--congrats

Unknown said...

I'm sure your tome will be a great success!

Lisa Regan said...

I will be wobbling right along-side you, that's for sure! I related to just about everything in this post! Great one!

TL Conway said...

Wow, Nancy! This:
"...but while many of those are from writers, they have since become my friends, so there’s some built-in bias there."

This is something I struggle with. I wonder if I just have incredibly nice friends who are too "Midwestern" to tell me their real thoughts.

Keeping my fingers crossed that all the promotions you have lined up will help create an incredibly successful launch!

PR said...

Seems a lot of people have been feeling like this today. I think if they say there is not a lot to change that is a good thing? Your work is obviously awesome to have come this far :)

Donna K. Weaver said...

That is huge validation! May we all be so lucky. lol

Green Monkey said...

I'm certain it your book will do well! LOOK at you! seriously. you're in a profound doing mode. making things happen, chopping away, bit by bit.

Anonymous said...

Love the analogy . . . and now I can't get that song outta my head *shakes fist*;) Can't wait to read your book!!

Carissa said...

Ahh, don't tell me that the insecurity doesn't end!! You're miles ahead of me! I'm still stuck in the uncertainty of queryland =/

Love your blog btw - following you back!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Being a writer really is a roller coaster ride. It's part of the fun ;)

Denise Covey said...

Hi Nancy. You've been assured there's not much to change in edits. Now if you believer that...

Enjoy the ride. You've earned it.

Denise

E. M. Prokop said...

Hey Nancy! Great to 'meet' you and thanks for the comment and follow. I remember Weebles! And don't worry, from the sounds of it you're going to do very well, and so's your book!

Hektor Karl said...

"I wobble a lot, but I haven’t yet fallen down."

:). Looking forward to the launch!

Aimée Jodoin said...

Weebles wobbling is a great analogy for a writer's insecurity. And I bet your book will do super well!

Southpaw said...

First and foremost, "CONGRATULATIONS!" That is huge news, but I still understand your concerns.

From what I have been reading it looks like they never go away, but you get better at handling it.

Empty Nest Insider said...

I'm sure this is all very nerve wracking, but you have to focus on the positives! You will be PUBLISHED in just months from now, and your fan base is continuing to grow! I'm so excited for you, and I know that good things are going to happen! Julie