A fear of failure is not all that rare

cj Sez:  I once saw a TV interview with James Patterson and learned that his first novel was rejected thirty-one times before it was published. Even after publication, it didn’t do all that well. Fortunately for his fans, failure didn’t discourage him. 

  So, where did his worldwide success come from, besides having some natural talent for story telling? What he did was set about learning and analyzing the genre he wanted to write, so he could become the best writer he could be. Like most authors (I think the generalization is true), he started out writing part-time because he had a day job. Now, he writes full-time, every day but Sunday. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide.

  From bios I’ve read, many, if not all, successful writers have some fear of failure, especially at the beginning of their careers. Perhaps they get an idea they’re excited to develop. The words flow like magic onto the page, but the farther they get into the writing, the more they start to second-guess their story-telling abilities. Doubts creep in: Someone’s already told this story, better. No one is going to read this drivel. It’ll never sell.

 

  If you want to reduce your chances of failure, study the craft: workshops, conferences, writers’ groups, read-read-read, analyze-analyze-analyze, and publish a professional, well-edited book.

  I also suggest that you write for yourself first. When you’re the only one you have to please, it reduces the writer’s block stress of arranging coherent sentences into a story arc on a blank page.

  What was the first thing you wrote? A poem? A memoir? A little piece of fiction? If you’re like me, you kept it and every once in a while, you resurrect it and wonder, “Not so bad." or "What was I thinking?”

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Author and Reader Notes

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4 Questions to Strengthen Lean Manuscripts | Jane Friedman

  This recent guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog is by Lisa Fellinger, an author, book coach, and editor. She says: “I have a small confession to make: I’ve never been told I need to cut words from my manuscripts. In fact, I’m the author envious of anyone who needs to do so because I’m the one struggling to get my manuscript up to my target word count.”  

(cj sez: This is so me, and I thought there might be some of my readers also struggling with what I call “tight writing.”)

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“Every sentence must do one of two things—reveal character or advance the action.” Kurt Vonnegut

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  Since authors are also readers, this applies to everyone: There are three simple ways to encourage and support authors without spending an extra dime.

  Like, comment, and share authors' Facebook posts. Facebook's algorithms show only posts that FB thinks other members would like to see. That means the more likes and comments a post gets, the more people will see it. (Psst: The same process works for Amazon.)

  Take a few moments to give the book you just read a fair review. If all you can manage is one or two sentences, no matter because it will be deeply appreciated.

  Go to book signings. in-person or virtual, even if you can’t afford to buy the book at that time. Your attendance is encouraging.

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School started in Mobile this past week. Don’t know about the students, but the teachers were fully involved.

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  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.

cj

Now some words from my sponsors:

  Summer is winding down and having a book to read is the perfect entertainment for those downtime moments. THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Nota bene: Angela Trigg, the RITA Award-winning author and owner of The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us 

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