Not for everyone

Every writer has their own process of creating their works. I truly believe that. What starts muddling things up for me, is when the legends in writing start giving advice and instead of holding true to our own unique creation processes, we change what works, to do what the legend does. After all, their works are legendary. What makes me qualified to ignore their expert advice? I have the answer. The fact that my brain works differently.

When I decided that I would like to be a published writer, I started reading up on the craft of writing. All those books advise you to find a critique group, or ask a few fellow writers to critique your work and after that, find beta readers to go over your manuscript again. So, that is exactly what I did. I won't lie, their feedback was invaluable. I learned a lot.

Having said the above, my personality and writing doesn't do well during those two processes. I was so insecure during the critiquing process of my first book, that if someone said I should add a clown, I did. After all, this was my first book, what do I know? It was nobody's fault, but my own. I didn't know better.

Having now been through the whole process and having published a novel, I want to do things a bit differently next time. So, no critique partners this time around. Just me and my editor. I may try the beta readers process again, but I also may not. Still not decided on this one. If people hate my book, because they didn't like the story, or how the novel unfolded and it's true to my vision, then fine. I can deal with that. But presenting a book I'm proud of and which holds true to my artistic vision is the most important thing for me at the moment. No more people pleasing. I just can't please everyone.

I'm still stuck with book 2, but I'm slowly returning to a functional human again. So, hopefully the rewrites of book 2 will come along better now.

So, do you prefer working with critique partners, or without them?

Update

Hello friends. How is everyone doing? Well, I hope. 

November hasn’t been such a good month for me. We had some family drama, then my aunt died, making my mom the last of her family. Also, I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I’m still undergoing various tests to figure out which one exactly. I’ve had problems with my hands, especially my fingers for months and I was referred to a rheumatologist and I finally got an appointment yesterday. I still don’t know how I feel about having an autoimmune disease, possibly rheumatoid arthritis.

It’s just been an emotional three weeks and I was too much of a mess to keep up with blogging, or my other social media obligations. But I hope everyone is doing good. 

See you soon

Hello friends

Due to personal reasons I will not be online for a while. Please take good care of yourselves.

So what? (IWSG)

Book 2 hasn't been playing along. It's in worse shape than when I initially started. Is that even possible? Apparently. But, so what? Every book is different, or at least for me it is. This book might take a little longer to whip into shape, but I can do it.

I have noticed that we writers tend to be way too hard on ourselves. Maybe because we have this idea that everything should be perfect, or at least, our writing should be perfect. While achieving that idea of perfection, we drive ourselves crazy, literally. "My writing is terrible." "I'm a failure." And we believe those lies. All because our writing doesn't want to work out how we want it, at that moment.

I don't know about you, but I think we should give ourselves a bit of a break. Yes, our first drafts are a mess, but the second and third won't be. Next time you find yourself freaking out, ask yourself "so what?" So what if I can't find the right word for this sentence now, I will later.

Have a great day, everyone.

The Insecure Writers Support Group was created by the talented Mr. Alex J. Cavanaugh so that writers can share their insecurities and/or encourage others who need support with their own. You can visit Alex Here, or if you want to join us in discussing our insecurities on the first Wednesday of each month, you are welcome to join by going Here.

The Big Bang theory, my favorite

I've never mentioned this before, but I'm a huge The Big Bang Theory fan. No matter what mood I'm in, Dr. Sheldon Cooper and his crazy antics always cheer me up. Sure Penny and the other guys are great too, but Sheldon is definitely my favorite. My mom and I hang out together and watch reruns of old episodes everyday. It's become our bonding time:) The new season is yet to seriously make me laugh though. But I have these little gems I can watch over and over:)




Awesome!

Hilarious!

So, what do you think?

Larry Crowne - my "go to" movie

Picture from www.gstatic.com

Even though the movie Larry Crowne wasn't loved by film critics, it is loved by me. I saw it last year for the first time and loved it. It is a good clean movie that makes you feel good after you watch it. I don't always like big blockbusters, but rather the smaller, unknown films. I'm just weird like that.

What is it about? Larry (Tom Hanks) is fired from his latest job because he doesn't have a degree. So, he goes back to college to get a degree, which leads to hilarious experiences. Julia Roberts was great in this as well. She plays the surly professor Mercedes Tienot.

The moral of the story is that it is never too late to try something new, or to better your life. There is tons of humor, but you have to be smart to get it. When I feel crappy, or sad, I watch Larry Crowne. Needless to say, I've watched this movie a few times this year and it always cheers me up. Every time I watch it, I laugh.

THE JOYS OF SELF-PUBLISHING

It's my pleasure to welcome the wonderful and talented Karen Walker to my blog. Karen is a kind woman that always has an encouraging word to share when you need it the most. Please, show her some love. 


Thank you, Murees, for hosting me today.

Two words – control freak. That’s me. I am an extremely organized, detail-oriented person and I want things done the way I want them done. Now, over the years, I’ve mellowed quite a bit in this regard. But, for the most part, I like to feel as if I’m in control, even if I’m not.

Truth be told, I really wanted to be traditionally published. Back in 2009, when I finished writing my memoir, I spent 1 ½ years sending query letters. I wasn’t successful and ended up self-publishing my memoir. This time around, I was more realistic. I still wanted to be traditionally published, but I knew the likelihood of that happening was very small. So I had a plan B in place. I only spent a few months in the query process and then began the self-publishing journey. Yeah, I can have creative control.

The only downside as far as I’m concerned is the money you have to spend to get a professional book. I’m talking paying for editing, copy editing, proofreading, cover design, interior design, photography for author photo. These are things a traditional publisher handles for an author. But after that, unless you are already a best-selling author, you won’t get much marketing support, so you’re on your own, just as if you self-publish. If you are a traditionally published author and I’m incorrect about this, please say so in the comments.

I worked closely with the photographer (Kathleen Mesmer, www.kathleenmesmer.com) and designer (Mark David Gerson, www.markdavidgereson.com) who put my cover together. It was a collaborative creative effort and it was so much fun. I had input as well on font choices, whether to capitalize initial words in first paragraphs of chapters, and other things along those lines. The finished product is something I feel proud of, not just because I wrote it, but because of how it looks. It feels as if it is truly mine.

I am lucky enough to be able to afford to pay for the services I can’t do myself. In addition to the above-mentioned editing, etc., I had to pay to have my book formatted as well. This is something I know many Indie authors do for themselves. That would have made my self-publishing experience less than joyful for me. I’m not a techie person.

I think we are so lucky to be living in a time when a writer can go to a site like Create Space and upload something they’ve spent time and energy on so they can share it with the world. Self-publishing has come a long way even since 2009, when I published my memoir. It’s lost its stigma. There are still some self-pubbed books that are not well written and not professional. But the same can be said for traditionally published books. We, as readers, have to do our homework when we choose what to purchase.

Thanks again, Murees, for having me here today. Here’s the scoop on The Wishing Steps.

Three Women and a Single Story That Unites Them Across the Millennia

“Totally engrossing. A must-read for today’s wise woman!”Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin, minister/priestess

Brighid, Ashleen and Megan: Bound through time by a curious light, a mysterious voice and a call they dare not ignore. Yet in obeying this strange force, the women must face soul-searing trials that call into question everything they know and believe — about themselves and about the world around them.

“Guaranteed to inspire you to a deeper level of spirituality and a new appreciation for Goddess.”Rev. Clara Z. Alexander

Karen Helene Walker is a widely published essayist and author of the 2009 memoir, Following the Whispers. When she isn’t writing, you will often find Karen performing in nursing homes and retirement communities as part of the Sugartime or Sophisticated Ladies musical groups, traveling with her husband of 20 years, Gary, or relaxing with a good book at their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit the author’s website at www.karenhelenewalker.com

The Wishing Steps is now available in both print and ebook versions at: Amazon.com. You can also purchase it as an ebook on Kobo, I Tunes, and at Barnes and Noble.