Comments on: Self-Sabotage: I Don’t Deserve Success

By: Anne-Maree Gray

Anne-Maree Gray — Sat, 03 Dec 2022 03:38:46 +0000

ooh yeah. I used to write fanfiction. Punched out 1.5 million words. It gets read every single day. But can I finish my original work? Nope. It has to be better than the fanfic, [what? why? who said?]
And I think it is not good enough but do not know how to make it better, so I ditch it and start a new story… and now you can see where this is going.
I’ve missed the whole goldrush and now I do not even write fanfic anymore. I have broken whatever system I had.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 18:18:00 +0000

In reply to Vanja. (((HUGS))). You are not alone. We ALL do it. I'm so happy I can be a blessing to you. I look forward to being able to buy copies of your books!

By: Vanja

Vanja — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 17:36:56 +0000

Omg, I love your blogs and I keep them in a folder in my email so I can revisit them ‘once my book is ready’.

I never commented before, but this one made me cry and I’m typing this through the teary fog.

I wrote my novel 5 years ago and sent it to exactly 101 publishers. About half said no immediately, about half never dignified me with answer and only few said it was good but not for them or not at the moment.

I know English is not my first language and I know my book needs extra editing so I said to myself I’ll become personal trainer so I can earn more and save enough for proper editor in the meantime I’ll write prequel and sequel so I’ll have trilogy that I can self publish.

It was 5 years ago… I still wait for that perfect time to sit and write when everything else is done… but it never happens.

Thank you for making me see how I stand in my own way.

By: markofthefaerie

markofthefaerie — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 16:01:07 +0000

As a storyteller, sharing my writing and making a connection with someone who loves my story is more important than selling a million books and making the best sellers list. Yes, I’d like to make a good income from my book sales, and I am guilty of all the self-torture you’ve shared in this post, but life is too short to keep beating myself up over things I have no control over. If all I ever publish is this one 5-book series, than that’s okay. If all I ever have is 100 loyal readers, than that’s okay too. I’m sharing a story with the world that has been a part of my soul for over 20 years. If I end up being a ‘one-hit wonder’, than I’m good with that as well. I can leave this world knowing that I’ve left my mark. Writing a good book and being a storyteller is about sharing your soul with readers who love your work. And that you can’t put a price tag on.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:41:44 +0000

In reply to Jean Lamb. Having been a caregiver over my career for aging family I SO get it. There are seasons in what we do. Might be a time for self-care and to read and keep the well filled. Maybe journal.

By: Jean Lamb

Jean Lamb — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 03:50:51 +0000

Caregiving for someone with limited mobility and fun bowel issues has temporarily killed my writing. I don’t honestly see any exit just now. Getting up once or twice a night to help him has turned my brain into mush.

By: Deborah Makarios

Deborah Makarios — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 22:42:23 +0000

I write! But I write slowly. Looking around the house and garden, I’m darned if I can see what else I’ve been doing all this time.
I’m currently in a season of getting rid of stuff so there’s more room for the things that really matter. Like writing. And knitting. And a pot of tea.

By: Brian Pope

Brian Pope — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 19:32:46 +0000

Whenever I write, I find it pleasurable. That does it for me. That keeps me writing.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 19:02:50 +0000

I really *REALLY* needed to read this today. The last 5 years I’ve been going through a very painful spiritual and emotional awakening that has been a great excuse to stop writing. Like the Fool on the tarot card, I’ve been standing at the cliff for the last several months. It’s time to jump.

By: Jan Sikes

Jan Sikes — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:34:38 +0000

Self-sabotage is a biggie, Kristen. As you say, it’s easy to let everyone and everything distract us from our story. I know that first-hand. My current WIP has taken me longer to write than anything else I’ve ever done and I’m not finished with it yet. Dammit!! I need to get off here and get busy. Great post. Thank you for sharing!