Wednesday 6 November 2013

IWSG post (Nov)

Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh for hosting, this month assisted by 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds.
***
Write because you love it - we've all heard this wise advice many times. Wise because I sincerely believe it is true. I write because I can't not do it. It is the first thing I think about when I wake and I usually drift off thinking about it too! My characters nag me and follow me around when I'm at work, doing the laundry or putting the bins out. Then they sulk and refuse to talk to me at the most inappropriate times. BUT I am getting anxious. Anxious that my characters and stories will forever stay in my head or on my computer screen. Destined to be read by a handful of family members or friends. And I want more. I want to be able to share my stories, to have them out there for the taking. 

I've submitted, edited, submitted, rewritten, submitted. Round and round till I'm dizzy. I've had some great feedback from editors, agents and publishers over the last few years but so far there has always been a but. I am still waiting for that moment when the stars align and everything falls into place.

I could think about self publishing, I have thought about it. But if I go that route I want to be able to do it properly and financially at the moment that isn't an option. Maybe in the future, but not right now, and, If I'm truthful, my dream is to be traditionally published. 

I know that I have to wait, to keep trying and believing I just needed to get this off my chest if for no other reason than to release some of the negativity that has been creeping in recently. 

Moan over, I'm off to read what is on everyone else's mind this month! I'll leave you these few words, the words that often sustain me when I'm feeling a little low. Happy writing.


"To be successful a writer needs two things. Belief and hope. Belief in themselves and their writing and hope that others share their belief."
Suzanne Furness



60 comments:

  1. Self publishing doesn't cost nearly as much as people think it does. I made more money than I spent.

    Of course, I can understand the dream of wanting to be traditionally published, but many authors do both now, and it's a good thing to be able to see both sides. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a good thing and I haven't ruled it out, maybe in the future I may consider it further.

      Delete
  2. Sometimes we forget to write because we love to write, rather than for other reasons, but it is great advice. I'm doing NaNo this month, and I'm absolutely loving it because the story I'm writing is for me - I'm writing it because I love to write, because I love the story and the characters, and I hope one day they will be loved by others too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's the best way to be Laura, glad you are enjoying your NaNo experience.

      Delete
  3. Ugh! I'm having one of those weeks right now. If I'm not getting paid, then writing is just a hobby - and hobbies are supposed to be more FUN than this. I could be tap dancing or hang gliding or learning to play the piano. Then there wouldn't be this continual trying-and-waiting-and-hoping-and-trying-again business.
    I really needed to be reminded why I haven't given up in despair yet. And - of course - my reasons are the same as yours. At least we're not alone xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are not alone, Helen and that is such a comfort and why this group is such a great one. We can all relate to these feelings at some point. Sorry you are feeling like this right now too, let's keep plugging away together! xx

      Delete
  4. I love your quote!! I also write because I have to.

    (I think my IWSG post kind of answers this one.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, if you're writing because you love it, then you can't lose, right? i absolutely despise the whole submissions & business side of the deal. It wolud be so awesome if writers could write and someone else could take care of that part of it...or if we could be satisfied with having our words only on our hard drive. But a craving to be widely read certainly seems to be part of the deal too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, no one can take the achievement and joy away from you. It can be a long journey so guess we just have to enjoy the ride!

      Delete
  6. I'm glad I'm not the only one distracted by my imaginary worlds. LOL

    Don't give up! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes the worlds collide! Can be messy lol!

      Delete
  7. Oh yeah, all the voices in my head sure wish to be wrote down

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your time will come. I've learned this publishing thing is all in the timing. Usually not ours though, but we have to wait it out. Just don't lose hope.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that is a huge part of it - timing and a bit of luck!

      Delete
  9. Oh I do think about all these same things and it overwhelms me. I try to remember to hold on to my vision and trust the details will work themselves out. I think we can all feel this insecurity to some extent. Hope to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And to you, Julie. It can be overwhelming at times but I have just read your post about one day at a time, excellent advice :)

      Delete
  10. Keep your head up, Suzanne! I know that's easier said than done because I feel the same way about the series I want to publish. Whenever I feel depressed that I won't ever publish it, I tell myself that God wouldn't have given me the idea and my muse wouldn't have pushed me to write the series for eleven long years if it never was going to get published. I still keep that hope. I'll say a prayer to the publishing gods for you. And if you ever need someone to vent to please don't hesitate to get in contact with me. I really mean that. My email is on my contact me page. :) Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very kind Chrys, I really appreciate that.

      Delete
  11. Hang in there, Suzanne. I know your time will come. And I totally love your quote, that's perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Suzanne, the stars will align, your time will come, you will just have to keep writing until you write that book that will be noticed and picked by publishers and agents.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hang in there. It'll happen!

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I went the small press route. Do the research and find one that meets your needs. Not that I'm partial (!!) but I sure love my Musa Publishing. Talk about a partner!!

    I wanted to go the traditional route, agent etc also. But I have no regrets going the way I did.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I self-published, one reason for this was because I couldn't be bothered with the awful process of submitting to publishers for months or years, recieving only rejection, plus, it's really not that expensive (apart form editors)

    I have come to wish I had the backing of a publishing house behind me. Right now, it's just me and my little book and we often feel insignificant in the big wide world of publishing. I've recently considered trying to sub it (although I made this harder now it's already self-pubbed) as the first of a series. We'll see.

    Loved your quote, and I do concur - maintain hope and keep trying / learning. :)

    shahwharton.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is about learning too isn't it? Learning and growing as a writer is part of the process. I think I am fearful of being alone in the wide publishing world especially if I go it alone before I'm ready.

      Delete
  17. I submitted to agents and publishers, and got great advice! Then I decided to self-pub, and I believe that is what I was meant to do. Everything will align, especially since you keep going. My friend always reminds me that everyone has their own perfect timeline for what they are meant to do. When you do finally have that agent, you'll know why it took so long. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes everyone is different and that's why there is no magic formula to success. Thanks Ashley.

      Delete
  18. I'm reminded of my Monday post. =)

    You forget one vital thing here. You can be both self and traditionally published. All you have to do is sell 10,000 copies, and then they come to you. ;)

    I completely understand about the self publishing anxiety though. You have to MAKE IT. My definition of making it has changed in the last few years. It means finding an audience who loves you. Period. End of story. Some traditional publishers can make that happen. Some audiences are better found by going Indie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 10,000 copies is that all!! I guess there is no right or wrong way and as I just said to Ashley no magic formula. We each follow our own path and journey. Thanks for the support Crystal.

      Delete
    2. Success is defined by us, right. ;)

      Delete
  19. The dreams live on, Karen. Best wishes to you.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Suzanne, I believe most writers have similar dreams. Don't give up, keep going. You've heard it a million and one times, it only takes one agent or publisher to say yes!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Keep on writing! And think about trying the small press option - I've heard some good things about that direction . . . although I haven't done it myself.
    Self-pubbing isn't all bad, but it isn't a way to make a lot of money right away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. At least as writers we do have more options to explore now. Thanks Tyrean.

      Delete
  22. I could have written this post myself, word for word. :) I am getting anxious, too, and have close to landing an agent so many times, but alas, it hasn't happened yet. But I firmly believe that it will and that my dream of being traditionally published will come true. We must keep writing and keep believing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keep believing, Melissa. Thanks for your support.

      Delete
  23. Moan away! Keep on persevering, it will happen :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. 'Hope deferred maketh the heart sick' (from the good book). As long as you have hope in what you are doing, your dream will never die. I recently read an article of writers who published their first books when they were 50, 60 and 70+ years old, and they were quite well known authors too. I'm not saying to be content waiting until then, but it just goes to show that if they had given up on their dreams early on, they would not have seen their achievements come to pass. Hang in there, mate. Your time will come.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you RPD, I don't intend to let my dreams go, I will keep knocking on those literary doors!

      Delete
  25. You are amazing and your time will come. I do understand your struggle as I have gone round and round again in my edits and still I sit without having anything published. I feel like a big hack and I really wonder if I was meant to be a published author or my stories are just something I should share with my girls and a few friends. I guess we are all plagued by these doubts and that's what makes this group so special! Keep your head up Suzanne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thank you Jaybird, my friends in blogland sure keep me going.

      Delete
  26. waiting is not going to ever be the easy part. the best thing you did was take the advice given to you from people you submitted to and ran with it. most would have said, no way, it's good as is...and went lookign elsewhere. i believe in you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Tammy, I am always open to advice, even though I might not always agree with it, I believe that is how we learn and grow.

      Delete
  27. Loving what you do is always the best advice. Why else do it? Here's to another IWSG day.

    ReplyDelete
  28. You are pursuing your dream, Suzanne. That's so important. I believe your dream will come true so keep up the good work. We're all supporting you. Happy weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Just keep plugging along. You're doing just fine!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Suzanne,

    Sorry, I'm rather late again. Still, I'm here now. Checks watch. Yikes.

    From what I've been told by a number of published writers, they mostly believe in going the traditional publishing route.

    I do know that you have the vital ingredients. Passion, desire, commitment and the belief that resonates from your words. You have so much support and encouragement. Such a powerful force.

    Wishing you a pleasant weekend.

    Gary :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. You're absolutely right, the stars do have to align before most writers get a chance. But the longer you write, revise, submit and query, the closer those stars get to aligning. Keep on going - I believe in you! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I agree with everything you said. For myself, I feel that as long as I'm writing, telling stories, I am a writer. I intend to self publish and sell things through online avenues as many do, but I keep that one novel tucked back and carefully hoarded over for the traditional effort. So what you say makes complete sense. Something may happen, something may not, but if a writer writes, they're doing their job. I wish you much luck and aligned stars...

    ReplyDelete
  33. It's tough when the rejection letters keep rolling in. Self publishing is certainly an option, especially if you're good at marketing. The key is to produce a quality product and know your target market.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks to everyone for your encouraging comments and advice x

    ReplyDelete
  35. That is great advice, and I'll take it a step further. If you write something and it manages to touch and possibly change a person's life, just one person, you've done your job as a writer. Even if that means it's only seen by family. I inherited a manuscript my grandfather wrote but could never get published. Though he's no longer with us, I plan to do something with it. I just need to figure out the historical fiction thing first. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Suzanne - great quote of yours ... it's keeping on doing or writing in most of authors worlds ... it will happen - but in the meantime keep getting those wonderful stories down ... then they'll be ready to fly out of the door ... it will happen ..

    Good luck ... your time will come - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete

I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time to visit and interact but please note I have disabled anonymous comments due to too much spam!