…and pick up the pen!
I have been investing a lot of time trying to make my Etsy store better; with bookish gifts for everyone. It has also kept me from writing my 2 books.
I will admit first and foremost; I am afraid to finish these books; only to be told they are rubbish. So I bide my time doing any number of other things in order to leave them sit in my files; rotting and angry because they have a story to tell.
My poor characters want to be heard; and I continue to silence them. It is time to give them the recognition they deserve; because if I do not speak for them; no one will.
What keeps you from writing?
booksandopinions.com 
I get easily distracted by life. Then I don’t read or write. Hours can go by, no progress. Ugh.
Same here; easily!
Knowing that what I’ve written doesn’t work and never will, but at the same time… not knowing how to fix it.
Have you let someone else read what you’ve written Nick? It is a very scary thing, but what you have written may work very well, and you just don’t realize it. We are all our own worst critics.
I do know a few people who would, Angela, but comments they make are often vague and not all that helpful. I find that what they most often do is just confirm my suspicions. Which leaves me back where I started. This is what makes a good editor so valuable: they (usually) really can see what to do.
Well if it would help you out, I have edited books for published authors (I can send you references), and I would be more than happy to take a look at a couple chapters for you.
Thank you. I appreciate the offer, Angela, and may take you up on it one day. Right now though, the book I’m working on is going well. Slowly, but well.
Very glad to hear that!
Writing something that doesn’t work and then not knowing how to fix it stops me dead. Every time.
Write
Reblogged this on Michelle's book's & Blog's.
I’m so scared I’m actually No good at this writing thing that I keep putting off working on the first drafts I’ve finished (a total of 3 novels at this point).
I get that way too Jess! You should definitely find someone you trust to read one and give you feedback; easier said than done, I know!
I’m so excited to someday read your books!! I hope your characters really do get heard! 💖💖 I could never write because I have too many authors voices in my head! Everything I read sounds like someone else… I’ve read so much that I don’t know if I have my own voice, anymore! Ha ha! But, I love to read and I’ll just have to satisfy myself by living vicariously through my blogging buddies who manage to get something down on paper… Does anyone even use paper anymore, besides me?? 😉🍻
I definitely understand what you mean about knowing if it is even your own voice anymore due to reading so much! I do still use paper and pencil, but only to jot down notes, ideas, and illustrations (debating on adding some illustrations to my books), but the major writing does get done on my laptop.
Oooo!!! Add illustrations!! Everyone loves pictures!! Well… Depending on the content of the book. I guess some illustrations could get pretty weird or gruesome! 😂😂
nothing gruesome, just something a little different than most cozy books that do not traditionally use illustrations 🙂
Love it!! 💖💖