I haven’t been on this blog for a few weeks. I’m assuming you all managed to get along quite nicely despite the dearth of words from me.
So how’s it going for all of you? Pounding out the words, are you? Perfecting your craft, are you? Striving to become a better writer, are you? Finding new ways to market, are you?
Or are you stuck in neutral?
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“You’ve heard the saying, ‘Analysis creates paralysis.’ You can’t be 100 percent sure of anything.” Mark Burnett
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I wonder how many writers reading this are insecure people? There are times when I’m convinced that all writers suffer from insecurity. They just aren’t good enough. They are concerned that once they publish, people will chastise them and ridicule their writing? They hold back from being “real” in their writing because they fear the feedback. They have been rejected so many times in their lifetimes that they are afraid to even try.
Does that sound like anyone you know?
I also know writers who are quite happy with the current eBook craze because it keeps them safely in their writing studios, writing, publishing and never having to actually go out and face their target market.
I have a friend who is an idea person. She is one of the world’s great brainstorming people, and her creativity is off the charts it is so good. Add to that the fact she has some good writing skills….but….she never goes beyond that point. She talks about writing children’s books, and she has a file folder full of great ideas and book outlines, but she never writes a word.
Can you guess why?
TIP OF THE DAY
I have no tip for this kind of paralysis. I wish I could give all of you a hug and tell you that it’s okay to be rejected, that’s it necessary and I’ll be by your side every step of the way, but I suspect that would do absolutely no good in overcoming your paralysis.
I used to suffer from it. I was terrified to speak in front of people. I hated meeting strangers. The only thing that got me through it was the memory of my father and his words “always move forward, Bill.” If I’m in my writing studio, cranking out words but never testing the waters, I’m not moving forward. It’s as simple as that. I still do not feel comfortable meeting new people and introducing myself as a writer, but for me, it’s necessary….so I move forward.
Some people are natural-born marketers but mediocre writers. Some are incredible writers but they have the marketing skills of an aardvark. I think the trick, for most of us, is to find a medium in there somewhere.
I wish you success!
PERSONAL UPDATE
It’s time to shamelessly spotlight myself.
The second in the “Billy the Kid” novella series, “Walking in a Dead Man’s Shoes,” has been published and is available on Amazon. I am nearly done with the third in the series, and I continue to try and learn how to make a podcast.
After publishing the third novella I’ll be working on the next in “Shadow” series, and I’ve also started my novel about growing up during the 60s, a coming of age novel centered around the disappearance of a little girl in Tacoma, Washington….loosely based on the disappearance of Ann Marie Burr, a real life mystery some have attributed to a young Ted Bundy.
So that’s it for me….how about you?
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Well, I am in neutral I guess right now–I needed to make some more money and have been writing legal blogs for the past few months–but at the end of two or three of those–no poetry left in my soul–sigh
Audrey, I have no problem imagining legal blogs sucking the poetry out of your soul. It would leave me catatonic. 🙂 Good luck my friend.
I am so busy right now and also have the kids home for spring break once again. But just had to stop on by and say hi as it is so nice to see you here today still. Happy Tuesday Bill 🙂
I really appreciate that, Janine. There seems to be an epidemic of busy for many of us.
Marketing! That’s where I am these days. I’ve got so much “stuff” out there in the universe that I thought it was time to start marketing some of it. I hate marketing. I’d rather be writing. But, if I don’t market, I won’t sell anything. Even with marketing, I’m only selling a little bit here and there. I’ll take it! It’s good to hear that things are going well for you. I just received an offer on my house, so right now I am peddling through the back and forth part of negotiations. Needless to say, I won’t be writing anything soon. I’ll be packing, and that includes my writing table. Life is as it should be and that’s how I live it!
I love that last line, Marlene…it’s all the way it was meant to be…we are just along for the ride, my friend. Thank you!
Hmm…good points here. 🙂 I am not so sure I’m insecure, per se, but I know one thing about myself: I’ll work on something and personally think it’s not publishable. I do compare myself to the best writers and know that I can’t compare.
Not that we can’t grow, right? I mean Shakespeare’s plays…the early ones, are not known. I heard this NPR article that all his early ones weren’t “developed, with thin plots and that’s why those aren’t famous.”
Interesting, right? I suppose that’s why we don’t stop growing and don’t stop learning. 🙂
Lil Sis, the day I stop growing as a human being and a writer is the day they can start shoveling dirt on top of me….that’s my hope, anyway. LOL Thanks my friend.
Always find your words inspiring. Indefinitely struggle with insecurity…though most don’t realize it because I am pretty good at covering it up.
Eyes, I suspect many of us are good at that….best wishes to you and thank you for always being here.
Fantastic. I cannot wait to read your latest work. I like hearing about growing up during the 60s from another’s perspective. I know people don’t experience things in the same way and I’m always interested in hearing how the ‘other half’ live.
Zulma, I suspect that book will take me quite a bit of time to write….it’s going to be personal and that means extra care….but thank you. I look forward to the process, for sure. I just hope I can meet my own expectations.
It’s a public holiday here, so we’re lounging around at home – nice to have some time to catch up! I’m so glad to hear you’re still going with your novel writing and a series at that, something to be so proud of. 🙂 I’m still enjoying the little passion project I’ve found in my Karuka blog, so that’s keeping the creative and fun flowing outside of work. Have a wonderful week Bill!
Melanie, it’s always so nice to hear from you. I greatly enjoy seeing pictures of you and your husband. You two seem so wonderfully happy and that makes me happy.
Another great batch of wisdom here Bill. My binder is procrastination, so I better get to work. Thanks friend.
Thank you, Greg! I always appreciate you stopping by. Say hello to Maria for me, please.
When I discovered – or admitted – that the chains that bound me were trying to make a living at writing, which has always been a creative expression for me, I got out the snippers and freed myself. I love writing but found I hate writing for other people. And I definitely suck at marketing. Once I freed myself from the bondage of being at the mercy of what others want from me (my words, their gain) I was and am free to once again be myself. Too much of ME had fallen by the wayside because I sequestered myself for three years learning and writing copy for other people’s/businesses visions. That’s not what writing is for me. I admitted it and I made a change.
Unfortunately, my writing has taken a back seat for now. I, frankly, got burned out. I wasn’t writing for me or my audience. I wasn’t doing what I love, which is creative writing. Instead, I was creating an income stream for clients – some of which I’ve had phone conversations with, most I hadn’t. That just really crimped my style and my muse let me know it. She’ll be back when Shauna has a better handle on who Shauna used to be. Now she’s busy interacting with real people on a daily basis, in person. She’s gotten back into the yard and is getting her fingers dirty trying her hand at growing veggies. She also has some house projects going on that need her attention. Shauna is making a rapid comeback.
Sometimes our dreams aren’t painted with the color palette we imagine. Sometimes the palette becomes dull when a venture drains us of the rainbow that defines us. But a true creative will know how to pull those colors back together to create a whole, vivid, vital picture. Those colors are attached to my bootstraps and I’ve pulled them back up!
Sha, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experience. I love your comments because they are always from the heart and always speak your truth. Best wishes to you….may the muse speak to you and fill you with inspiration….speaking just for me, I miss your writing.
love,
bill
Thanks, Bill. I’ll get back to it. I promise. Right now I have other things that need to come first. Thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot to me!
You betcha!
Bill Just letting you know I really enjoyed this post. I can identify with some of these things, but even us who have no problem with meeting strangers still wonder if the writing is ‘good enough’? Just wanted to say hi. Lawrence
I appreciate that, Lawrence. Thanks for stopping by, my friend.