tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post4121866445330146080..comments2024-03-11T16:14:49.158-07:00Comments on Don't pet me, I'm writing: The screwy evolution of author fearsTAWNA FENSKEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-7891517274699479252011-08-27T11:26:39.195-07:002011-08-27T11:26:39.195-07:00Don't get me started on fears *laughing!*
I d...Don't get me started on fears *laughing!*<br /><br />I do hate it when I have to say "no" now-- for a long time I tried to do it all, all the things I did before and all the new things piling on my head. Then, I noticed my deadline creeping up for the next book and I was running like the cliched chicken with its head - well, you know (and I've seen this horrid site - ungh - in person -ungh -in Tennessee)...not so good for wrting the next book(s). <br /><br />We just do the best we can and 99.7% of us have the best of intentions and really do want to support others, talk to others, do whatever we can to be Out There, etc. <br /><br />What's so funny/ironic about it is this: before we were published, some of these requests and "fears" and problems were things we dreamed about receiving/having! Ha! Life is so bizarre and wonderful :-DKathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-4443994219930376732011-08-22T18:54:53.972-07:002011-08-22T18:54:53.972-07:00I guess we have fears/doubts at every level! My fe...I guess we have fears/doubts at every level! My fears had been: Could I actually finish a novel? Would my book club hate my draft? Would my family think I was crazy? Now there are new thoughts, but those fears are past. I finished; book club loved it; my family thinks I'm doing what I should have done all along.<br /><br />And no, of course you aren't a snob for being less than superhuman. Brilliant Author is a perfectly good title; Supergirl is already taken.Julie Gloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14750682989494250914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-7779835813492037212011-08-22T17:58:35.850-07:002011-08-22T17:58:35.850-07:00The actual driving test is usually once until you ...The actual driving test is usually once until you reach a certain age. Otherwise every 3-5 years the DMV will summon poor souls back to retake the written and prove they are still "safe" drivers.Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-43499595601756277292011-08-22T17:56:12.833-07:002011-08-22T17:56:12.833-07:00I don't know how you actually manage to do all...I don't know how you actually manage to do all that you do. (I think you've found a way to sneak extra hours into a day.) You really are remarkable, and you answer more emails, tweets, and blog comments than A LOT of other authors. <br /><br />As for author fears, my latest is "Will this new puppy ever let me finish anything?". That could be lack of sleep though.<br /><br />As for the mailman, I think they have tough skins. I wouldn't worry about the darts. Do you have any leftover that I could borrow? I'm about to start querying again . . .Lisa Ahnhttp://lisaahn.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-8073496248842104222011-08-22T17:32:11.872-07:002011-08-22T17:32:11.872-07:00Taymalin, aww, thanks for the kind words. You'...Taymalin, aww, thanks for the kind words. You're not a snob or a bitch, either. Wanna braid each other's hair?<br /><br />Malin, I'm hopeful that once life settles down a bit after this nutty book release month, I might be able to get back to answering blog comments again. Stay tuned, and thanks for your patience!<br /><br />lora96, tattooing that on my forearm now...<br /><br />Christi, good idea about the announcement, I may try that!<br /><br />lynnrush and Sadie, it made the author cry. Totally broke my heart.<br /><br />Tamara, we ALL sit down and write crap. The trick is to eventually make it less crappy :)<br /><br />Robena, that is a FABULOUS idea. I'm nowhere near Susan Elizabeth Phillips' level, but what a great way to handle things!<br /><br />Jill, it was soooooooooo fabulous to meet you! Thanks for coming out Friday evening.<br /><br />Judy, that must suck to have that many allergies. Ugh.<br /><br />Shain, what a great comparison, thanks for sharing!<br /><br />Steph, how often do you have to take the driving test? That's interesting.<br /><br />Thanks for reading, guys!<br />TawnaTAWNA FENSKEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468819219529035563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-28302744940612016062011-08-22T17:05:17.278-07:002011-08-22T17:05:17.278-07:00I failed my driving test the first time, so going ...I failed my driving test the first time, so going past any DMV would bring up the nausea, racing heart and sweaty palms. No idea if the fear is gone yet but today (more like three hours ago) I passed my test! No more having to bother with them for three years (hopefully). Some day I hope to drive past a DMV without the sudden windfall of panic and physical discomfort.Steph Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00975939582442193113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-41360112300038685752011-08-22T12:00:32.556-07:002011-08-22T12:00:32.556-07:00This has come up with friends on multiple occasion...This has come up with friends on multiple occasions and I like to use this comparison. <br /><br />I started writing only a few years ago and at that time I felt like I was entering elementary school for the first time, petrified of my surroundings and scared I wouldn't know where to go. But with each year I continue to gain more experience, more knowledge, and more confidence. And because I have acquired these new tools and new experiences I am lucky enough to pass it along to others who shares the same goal.<br /><br />So, yes our desires change, our fears change, and if we are lucky and work hard enough so do our goals.Shain Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01908810007467259885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-16810867858803032782011-08-22T11:38:34.412-07:002011-08-22T11:38:34.412-07:00I'm afraid of spending much time outside. Sinc...I'm afraid of spending much time outside. Since 2003 I've been living here and I've come to realize I'm allergic to a number of things - agribusiness chemicals, lawn chemicals - and they pretty much hang in the air year round here.<br />This is a definite change as I used to spend most of my free time outdoors.<br />I hear what you're saying but I don't feel like you're a bitch. I can pretty much tell that you're very busy doing what you need to do.<br />And I still admire you for that!Judy,Judy,Judy.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09096626656997443201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-12578224993154779472011-08-22T10:23:16.427-07:002011-08-22T10:23:16.427-07:00I loved your talk at Powells! And getting hugged b...I loved your talk at Powells! And getting hugged by an author I'd just met made me feel all welcomed and everything.<br /><br />My daughter and I were guilty of slinking off during the signing because you'd signed mine before your talk and we were afraid we'd look like the weird stalker fans if we sat to watch you signing everyone else's books.<br /><br />I hope when I start querying again, I can keep up the "yay, I have another rejection!" response like I used to. Just getting a response was a relief: "time to stop worrying about that one. one to the next".jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12201064746352004309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-3424171073989721342011-08-22T08:29:28.047-07:002011-08-22T08:29:28.047-07:00You're juggling ten different hats these days ...You're juggling ten different hats these days and time is precious. Don't fret about answering emails and tweets and stuff like that, you'll get back to that when things cool off. And your readers and friends will understand that.<br /><br />Susan Elizabeth Phillips came out to Sth. Cal last year and I noticed how she kept her booksigning, long, long line, to keep moving. She'd announced the signing at the end of her talk and said there would be a photo opp. She exchanged a few words as she signed the book, and then stood and asked if they wanted a photograph. That way when the photo was taken the person moved on SEP sat down and greeted the next person in line. Pretty smooth, huh?Robena Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18389730409379890816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-67307202344939066942011-08-22T08:27:21.812-07:002011-08-22T08:27:21.812-07:00Author fears is a subject I think all of us share....Author fears is a subject I think all of us share. My fear is that I will sit down and write crap (I know alot of authors who swear they feel the same)<br />I'm also terrified of small spaces.<br />They don't really have much to do with one another, but they're both enough to keep my from either planting butt in chair or avoiding caves and elevators. <br />Regardless, they're still true fears. And we have to deal with them so that they won't take over our lives.<br />I do this by forcing myself to plant butt in chair everyday at 9a.m. and by taking the stairs:)<br />Your post was very funny! I can see why you're agent picked you up...so don't fear, just keep writing!<br />Have a great afternoon!!<br />TamaraTamara LeBlanchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15660759682066453522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-15682083818634264132011-08-22T07:48:46.799-07:002011-08-22T07:48:46.799-07:00That story about the author/writer at the RWA is s...That story about the author/writer at the RWA is such a shame. That poor author. :( <br /><br />As for fear... at the moment it's dreading seeing that email pop up in my inbox that will either me Yay or Nay. Right now it's hard to picture beyond that, but as you've so wonderfully laid out... the fears just keep changing. <br /><br />Heck, I think our fears adapt faster than we do sometimes.Sadie Harthttp://sadiehart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-62831471834057829982011-08-22T06:58:56.040-07:002011-08-22T06:58:56.040-07:00Wow, that is a tough one. I hadn't thought of ...Wow, that is a tough one. I hadn't thought of that. The example you gave about the RWA thing...that made my heart hurt. <br /><br />Thanks for this thoughtful post. It's got me thinking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-1144284618868075352011-08-22T06:42:51.661-07:002011-08-22T06:42:51.661-07:00I'm like Malin, I guess. I rarely leave commen...I'm like Malin, I guess. I rarely leave comments these days since things have become too hectic for you to reply. I do pester you on Twitter on occasion, so that makes up for it. :-)<br /><br />Maybe if you make an announcement before hand to people waiting. "I love you all. Please don't leave me just 'cause I'm really talkative." :-)Christi Goddardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590491851753709622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-84735005438531002312011-08-22T04:28:55.829-07:002011-08-22T04:28:55.829-07:00Honey if anyone calls you a bitch use the line I u...Honey if anyone calls you a bitch use the line I use during parent teacher conferences:<br /><br />"You aren't even the first person to call me that SINCE LUNCH."<br /><br />:D kinda takes the wind out of their sails.lora96https://www.blogger.com/profile/08171062741089674769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-59372348582633303382011-08-22T02:51:46.167-07:002011-08-22T02:51:46.167-07:00You need my tea mug. It says "You say I'm...You need my tea mug. It says "You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing." <br /><br />Seriously, I don't think you're a bitch for not answering blog comments etc. I understand why. But at the same time, I no longer leave comments because I've come to realise you no longer have the time to answer them. So I just read and enjoy the blog in silence nowadays. Unless I feel I have something really good to say.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14869145555938203736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-422555164465305734.post-1920950605079657092011-08-22T02:50:25.118-07:002011-08-22T02:50:25.118-07:00Time is a precious commodity, spend it wisely. The...Time is a precious commodity, spend it wisely. There will always be people who don't get it, and who take it personally (thus the hurt feelings resulting in angry responses). But they'll get over it.<br /><br />You can't give all of your time to everyone. Don't worry about being a snob, or a bitch. You're not either of those things.Taymalinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13894922480703350634noreply@blogger.com