Author Envy #IWSG

The IWSG question of the month: Do you ever get Author envy?

My answer is yes, of course. But I want to add that not all envy is bad. Here's why:

When we look at the success of other authors, not only can envy come for a ride, but with it a desire to analyze how that author found success. In many ways, envy can become a drive to improve the way we write, the way we market. It may bring with it the crucial questions we need to ask ourselves: What does it take to become successful? What is success to me?

I once met a writer who thought his path to success was through writing novels. He tried this route for many years until he forced himself to stop and wonder why he found no satisfaction. That's when he asked the difficult questions and discovered the truth. He was a short story writer at heart. When he shifted his goals, he found not only satisfaction but success.

Everything I read inspires me in some way. When I read something exceptional, my analytical brain switches on and I ask myself what exactly is it that engaged me with the story? How has the writer tugged my emotional strings so perfectly? How can I improve my work so it touches readers in a similar way? When I read published work that I perceive as not as great yet seems to have found success, I remind myself  to stop delaying, stop striving for perfection and just get my stories out there. There's an audience for everyone. I just have to find mine.

Envy is only bad when you let it stop you from moving forward, when you fool yourself into thinking you'll never be good enough and give up. Keep improving, keep reading, keep writing and get your work out there.

What does success mean to you? Does envy drive you forward or hold you back? 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

 

 

Please note I'm actually away at the moment, visiting family. When I get back, I'll do the rounds across the blogsphere to say hi. Until then, stay safe and keep writing!

On Book Covers #IWSG

The IWSG question for this month: If you are an Indie author, do you make your own covers or purchase them? If you publish trad, how much input do you have about what goes on your cover? 

 

When I was traditionally published: I had no say in the covers. As an artist, I find this hard, but the publishers usually know what they are doing and they want the best success for your book, so you just have to put your trust in them. Thankfully, I was happy with my covers.

When I was published by a small press: A couple, I had no input at all, but again they generated wonderful covers so it wasn't an issue. One, I did have input into the cover, but perhaps not as much as I wanted. It turned out fine, though.

When I self publish: I do my own covers. But I do a lot of research into what is popular for the genre I'm publishing. Doing my own covers takes a lot of time and I throw out many failed attempts. There is one book I haven't published yet because I simply can't get the cover right yet.

Please note I do NOT recommend any writer to do their own covers. Even if you have a artistic background, you may not be able to achieve that professional look. There's a lot behind creating the cover: the colors, the fonts, the whole psychology behind the images. Book covers are so very important to get right if you want to sell your book. It is the first impression your potential buyers will have. Don't risk it. Make it professional.

What elements are in some of your favorite book covers? What first draws you to a book?

 

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.

 

The Word of the Year #IWSG

 

 

Happy New Year everyone. 2023 is going to be a good one. I can feel it in my bones. To be honest, it's all about attitude. I've decided it's going to be a good year, so it will be a good year. So there.

The IWSG question of the month: Is there one word that sums up what you need to work on or change in the coming year? 

For me the word for 2023 is focus. Lately I've been getting easily distracted. I make big plans and then they don't eventuate because I go and make more big plans or change my mind or I just do something else. Not this year. This year is a focus year. I plan to complete a few more stories before I release them into the big wide world. I plan to read more, get out more, but mainly stay focused on getting things done. And staying positive while doing it.

How about you? What's your word for the year?

This post was written for the IWSG. Every first Wednesday of the month, members post on their blogs about their writing insecurities or offer some encouragement to others. If you are new to the IWSG or want to learn more, then please go HERE.