Moving Forward - Editing

The next step with my book is sending it to an editor. I will be honest that step scared me to death. I took two extra weeks going over it again adding things and telling myself it’s not ready.

If you’re writing a book, please do not do this to your self. Set deadlines and send your book on.

For me not submitting my stories has been a big issue with me. I get scared and put them in the closet telling myself, they aren’t ready.

I have five books in the closet that I said aren’t ready. This year I decided I was taking them out of the closet and have one last look before I submit them to an editor.

They will never see another reader’s eyes if I don’t get them out of my closet.

Moving forward is my mantra this year and I will move forward even it means knocking my own self over the head to get past my fears.

Are you moving forward with your writing?

Writing Fears: Choosing To Self Publish

Self publishing has always been in the back of my mind, since I started writing. I met a lot of writers who are indi publishers and I’ve always admired their courage to take their writing into their own hands.

I think what has stopped me was I’m from the old school of writing wanting some big publisher to say they loved my book and give me a big check to publish it. Yeah I had that dream for years.

As I learned more about the business, I found out why a lot of people were publishing their own books. Mainly they didn’t want to sit and wait on someone to tell them their book was good enough. They believed in their work and was willing to step out and let others make their own judgment.

When you’re dealing with fear, stepping out is the last thing you want to do. You want to keep telling yourself, someone will buy your book. What you’re not telling yourself is that they won’t buy it if you don’t finish it or if you don’t submit it. For years I was that girl saying I’m writing, but not saying I’m not submitting.

I was scared to death to submit my work.

This weekend I realized I was scared to death to self publish it too.

I’m working with a business coach, LaTara Bussey and she said to me, LaShaunda you been working on this book for a while. You need to set a release date. My mind screamed, “are you crazy, no way”

It was easier to say I’m working on a book, than to sit down and schedule my book release.

Am I really ready to put myself out there?

Am I ready to see my dreams come true?

Yes

I’m still scared but I’m not going to let that stop me.

September 9th is my release date.

OMG I just wrote the date.

Pray for me because I’m starting a new journey in my life. I’m afraid but I’m holding on to the Lord’s hand this time. He will guide me every step of the way.

FEAR – get out of my way. I have dreams to work on.

Stay tune, this journey is interesting. Next week I’ll tell you what not to do when you thinking about book covers.

Why did you choose to self publish?

Writing Fears: Moving Forward

Fear 3: Moving Forward

Fear is about standing still. Is not about going forward, not moving. It’s about turning back to your old ways, staying in your rut.

This weekend I heard a sermon about I won’t turn back. The minister talked about moving forward and not dying in the place you are. I took it as you have to move forward, learn new things, try new things, to reach your goals.

I won’t turn back, that is my new motto for this year, I will add it to my moving past the fear.

Not turning back is a big part of moving past the fear. Not turning back means breaking out of old habits, moving toward my goals instead of not reaching them.

I don’t want to turn back. I’ve been through a lot. I’ve come through a lot. I know everything I’ve went through is for a reason. Its to teach me to be a stronger person. To teach me I can get through my trials and storms. It also teaches me that God is with me every step of the way. Especially in the fearful ones. He has told us not to be fearful and to lean on him, and even when we don’t understand he will be there for us.

I’m am learning this in my journey past fear. My belief is growing stronger each day. I’m depending on God instead of LaShaunda, because LaShaunda isn’t going anywhere, but with God I can go further and further.

I know that I won’t turn back. I will move forward, and reach the goals I have set for this year.

Are you standing still? Are you sitting where you were last year? You can move forward – BELIEVE.

Writing Fears - Letting Someone Read Your Manuscripts

Fear 2: Letting Someone Read My Manuscripts

You can’t get to published if you don’t let others read or critique your books.  You have to step out of your comfort zone if you want to move forward.  It took me years of I can’t do that, to letting someone other than my mother read my manuscripts. 

I will recommend finding someone you feel comfortable with and who reads your genre.  You want someone who gets what you write to read your manuscript. I have a few horror stories about critique partners who didn’t get my writing and sent me into writing comas for years.

I good critique group will tear your story apart but will also help you build it up into a book you can be proud of. You have to develop thick skin when it comes to your writing because there will be times when someone reading your stories will not like them. Don’t take it personal, learn from every critique and grow as a writer. Don’t think your stuff is so perfect you can’t improve it.

Yes I suffered from the there is nothing wrong with my book disease a little bit. I think every writer thinks their work is perfect when they first start, however if you plan on continuing to be a writer, you learn that you grow with each manuscript and that means making mistakes and correcting them.

This year I'm focusing on editing the books in my closet, which means a lot of critiquing. I've put on my coat of armor. I'm ready to learn what I need to do to make these books into publishable books.

I’m moving past the fear and moving toward critiques.

Stop by next Tuesday for more about my journey on getting past the Fear.

Did you have a problem with letting others read your manuscript?

What did you do to move past your writing Fears?