Hang In There
I haven't posted in a while, so here's a quick update on what's going on. I tried revising my novels. Several of them. Nothing was really feeling like "the one." I even tried going back to an old manuscript to transpose it from 3rd person to 1st. I stalled on all my attempts to do anything novel related.
So I stopped.
I read a book. And another. I took a break. I stayed active on Twitter in the writing community. I chatted with my critique group. I did some beta reading for a friend.
I think it was the beginning of May that an announcement was made for a picture book mentorship contest. It had been a while since I'd worked on any picture books, but it sounded like a good opportunity. Maybe I could write some more picture book manuscripts so I had some to choose from if I wanted to apply. Holy cow was I in for a ride!
Over the next few days I wrote four drafts of new picture books! I tried rhyming. I tried unconventional composition. I was on a roll! I started researching more about picture book writing. I joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I was excited about writing again. I was passionate!
Now, it's a few weeks later and my new manuscripts have met beta readers and had several revisions. I'm writing query letters. I'm gung ho.
Until yesterday. I did some good work yesterday, revising and networking. But I started to feel that bit of imposter syndrome. That feeling of "why bother" because "I'm not any good."
Today I'm better. I'm not going to give up. But the passion has cooled. Maybe it's good that I'm going to be more cautious with my work. I need to polish to be sure it's the best it can be. I need to research the best agents who could mesh well with my ideas. I need to check my ego that not every word on the page is genius. Maybe my ideas aren't unique or fabulous. But maybe they're just what someone needs to read. Maybe there's someone out there that will like it enough to help it see the light of day.
Are you feeling "not good enough?" Hang in there. Don't give up.
So I stopped.
I read a book. And another. I took a break. I stayed active on Twitter in the writing community. I chatted with my critique group. I did some beta reading for a friend.
I think it was the beginning of May that an announcement was made for a picture book mentorship contest. It had been a while since I'd worked on any picture books, but it sounded like a good opportunity. Maybe I could write some more picture book manuscripts so I had some to choose from if I wanted to apply. Holy cow was I in for a ride!
Over the next few days I wrote four drafts of new picture books! I tried rhyming. I tried unconventional composition. I was on a roll! I started researching more about picture book writing. I joined the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). I was excited about writing again. I was passionate!
Now, it's a few weeks later and my new manuscripts have met beta readers and had several revisions. I'm writing query letters. I'm gung ho.
Until yesterday. I did some good work yesterday, revising and networking. But I started to feel that bit of imposter syndrome. That feeling of "why bother" because "I'm not any good."
Today I'm better. I'm not going to give up. But the passion has cooled. Maybe it's good that I'm going to be more cautious with my work. I need to polish to be sure it's the best it can be. I need to research the best agents who could mesh well with my ideas. I need to check my ego that not every word on the page is genius. Maybe my ideas aren't unique or fabulous. But maybe they're just what someone needs to read. Maybe there's someone out there that will like it enough to help it see the light of day.
Are you feeling "not good enough?" Hang in there. Don't give up.
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