Courtney
asked
Elly Blake:
do you enjoy writing a book? Any tips for first time authors? have you got any advice on being an author because I am writing a book but I'm nervous about publishing. any tips and ideas to forget what people think of the book? Love fireblood.
Elly Blake
Thank you for your kind words about Fireblood. <3
Yay for writing a book! That takes dedication and courage!
It's totally natural to be nervous about publishing. My advice there is to try to let your desire to be published outweigh your fear, and keep pushing forward! Take breaks when needed. This isn't an easy road. Be kind to yourself.
As for advice on forgetting what people think of the book, I'm going to be honest: it's really hard to forget harsh things you see in a review or blog post. Unfortunately, negative stuff tends to stick in our heads. However, there is good news! You really do get used to the bad reviews. Opinions vary widely and everyone's reaction will be different, from complete adoration of your characters and world to the other extreme of really, really not liking your story and being mad they paid money to read it. Of course the negative reviews still sting, but they hurt less as you get used to the whole having-your-words-out-in-the-world thing. It's a really vulnerable feeling, but it does get easier with practice.
FYI, many authors don't look at reviews at all, and it's ok to protect yourself this way. Read as much or as little as works for you.
If you mean that you'd like to stop wondering what people will think of the story while you're writing it, I struggle with that one, too! But I will tell you that it helps if you shut out anyone's opinion but your own. Try to draft without judgement and just let yourself be free and put down whatever comes into your head. You can be analytical and decide what works and what doesn't later. For now, just play! (Easier said than done, I know. I'm struggling with this right now as I try to plan/write a new book.)
If you're talking about critique partners and criticism that hurts, maybe take a moment to ask yourself whether the feedback you're getting is constructive. It should be more like "consider this" instead of "you messed this up." The tone should be supportive, in the vein of helping you see where and how you can strengthen the book. Not tearing you down. If the tone is supportive but the notes just hurt because getting feedback on your words feels so personal, just know you are in good company. Every author I know feels pretty fragile when we're getting honest feedback from a CP. I hope it helps to know you're not alone! Once you take time to digest the feedback, you'll find yourself bouncing back and finding ways to address the problems your critique partner pointed out. Best of luck!
Disclaimer: When it comes to writing advice, please take what is useful, if anything, and leave the rest. The only valuable advice is whatever works for YOU.
Yay for writing a book! That takes dedication and courage!
It's totally natural to be nervous about publishing. My advice there is to try to let your desire to be published outweigh your fear, and keep pushing forward! Take breaks when needed. This isn't an easy road. Be kind to yourself.
As for advice on forgetting what people think of the book, I'm going to be honest: it's really hard to forget harsh things you see in a review or blog post. Unfortunately, negative stuff tends to stick in our heads. However, there is good news! You really do get used to the bad reviews. Opinions vary widely and everyone's reaction will be different, from complete adoration of your characters and world to the other extreme of really, really not liking your story and being mad they paid money to read it. Of course the negative reviews still sting, but they hurt less as you get used to the whole having-your-words-out-in-the-world thing. It's a really vulnerable feeling, but it does get easier with practice.
FYI, many authors don't look at reviews at all, and it's ok to protect yourself this way. Read as much or as little as works for you.
If you mean that you'd like to stop wondering what people will think of the story while you're writing it, I struggle with that one, too! But I will tell you that it helps if you shut out anyone's opinion but your own. Try to draft without judgement and just let yourself be free and put down whatever comes into your head. You can be analytical and decide what works and what doesn't later. For now, just play! (Easier said than done, I know. I'm struggling with this right now as I try to plan/write a new book.)
If you're talking about critique partners and criticism that hurts, maybe take a moment to ask yourself whether the feedback you're getting is constructive. It should be more like "consider this" instead of "you messed this up." The tone should be supportive, in the vein of helping you see where and how you can strengthen the book. Not tearing you down. If the tone is supportive but the notes just hurt because getting feedback on your words feels so personal, just know you are in good company. Every author I know feels pretty fragile when we're getting honest feedback from a CP. I hope it helps to know you're not alone! Once you take time to digest the feedback, you'll find yourself bouncing back and finding ways to address the problems your critique partner pointed out. Best of luck!
Disclaimer: When it comes to writing advice, please take what is useful, if anything, and leave the rest. The only valuable advice is whatever works for YOU.
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