Insecure Writers Support Day August

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It’s that time of the month again 😉 Nooooo, not that time of the month, this time……

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I can safely say that I am fully over deciding to bin the WIP, well, it’s the previous WIP now isn’t it? Lol 😉

So what am I feeling insecure about this month? Everything……

My regular readers will know I was trying to write a pocket novel recently, and it’s because of that that I decided to attend Kate Walkers Introduction to Romance course at Caerleon.

Well, what an eye opener! I don’t really know what I thought a Mills & Boon novel was but, I now know its right up my street 🙂

I love doing characters and I love emotional conflict. And that’s basically what a Mills & Boon Modern romance is. So guess what the plan is? Yep, that’s right, I want to try my hand at writing a Mills & Boon Romance! 😉

Kate was very inspiring. She’s written 60 books and made me feel that yes, I can do it, well, that’s how I felt at the end of every session….that is, until I got home lol.

Now I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, a bit, I dunno, useless? Ha ha ha 🙂 Seriously, I’m doubting that I have even the tiniest ounce of writing talent. At this current moment I’m thinking there’s no way I could ever match Kate Walkers writing abilities.

Caerleon was excellent, being surrounded by all those writers. But, sometimes, when I’m at those events I feel alienated, and that I haven’t got a hope in hell of being published *deep sigh*

So am I just kidding myself? Will I ever have the stamina, determination, and talent to match Kate Walker? This is a major self pity post, I know lol. I’m not looking for sympathy, and I know I’m not alone in feeling like this…..but sometimes, it’s just good to wallow 😉

So what are you feeling insecure about today?

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62 thoughts on “Insecure Writers Support Day August”

  1. I’m insecure because when I reread the last chapter I wrote, there was oodles of head hopping. Like I had forgotten the basic rules of novel writing. Dammit! And I’m too busy wallowing and eating cupcakes to fix it.

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    • Awwwww, thanks honey 🙂 I guess I don’t really have that much faith in myself, I’ve spent my whole bloody life trying to find something I’m good at and I’m beginning to think I’ll never find it *deep sigh*

      He he he, yeah, I think it definitely goes with the territory 😉

      Xx

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  5. Yes, you will have the stamina, determination, and talent to match anyone, but most importantly you have to find *your* stride, *your* limitations, and *your* source of strength. Once all of that is in place, you can do anything you put your mind to. 🙂

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  6. I am insecure. I am still learning to live with that. The insecurities sometimes stop me from writing but I try and turn a blind eye to it and get on with writing. I don’t analyse how good my sentences are. As long as I keep writing.

    I think it would be natural to feel insecure when comparing yourself to published authors. You might find they started out just like the rest of us. But this is coming from someone who is unpublished 🙂

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    • It’s hard though isn’t it, to turn a blind eye to those feelings 😦

      Yeah, I know we shouldn’t compare our writing to successful published authors, but, I guess I’m so in awe of them. And then I look at my stuff and think, yeah, right, never in a million years! Lol

      Thanks honey 🙂 It’s good to know I’m not alone.

      Xx

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  8. Oh, I know exactly how you feel. I feel that way Every. Single. Day. that I sit down to write. There’s a reason my avatar shows someone in over their head!
    I’ve found that the only way to get through this overwhelming insecurity is to write through it. Once those words start spilling out, the story takes over, and most of the time, after that it doesn’t matter that I feel like I really stink as a writer.
    And by the way, your writing is always full of heart and humor, a winning combination that will surely find you lots of readers. Including me. 🙂

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  9. You can have one day a month. That’s it though, I am fortunate enough to be tho only one to read your daily prompts. They often flow effortlessly and your imagination knows no limits. Some are ok some are brilliant and some make ne laugh and some make me emotional. ONE nearly reduced me to tears!!!
    Now is that someone who can’t write… No, you can write and bloody well! Xxx

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  10. Everyone is entitled to their venting days – so wallow all you like! 🙂 But, as a few have mentioned here – you must get on with it! Because you DO write well and you WILL be successful. 🙂

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  12. You can do it – you’re enthusiastic and that’s the first great step. You got a lot of new information on your course, but when you start writing again it’ll all fall into place. Promise 🙂

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  14. Well of course you can’t match Kate Walker’s writing ability! You’re not supposed to. What you have to do is write like you and keep on writing and editing and improving until you get published.

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  15. Hi Vikki
    You are probably feeling like that because you have spent lots of time with the best! Now you are home, it feels like you are on your own. Give yourself time as you know you are good – you just need to imagine it all going well. Your blog gets so many comments, so you must be doing something right. We’re all behind you.
    Keep up the great work, but remember to give yourself time for all you learnt last week to be absorbed (if that makes sense). 🙂
    As far as my insecurities go – I’ve worked for 27 years in roles that don’t really suit me and I’m only just realising that it’s only me that can change that.
    🙂

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  16. Make it your goal to become as good as Kate Walker and one day, you just might be. That’s how anybody surpasses their mentor. You’ve got somebody to gun for and that’s really good.

    It takes a lot of time and effort, but I believe anybody can get good at writing if they really apply themselves. It means dedicating your whole life to make up for lack of talent, if that is your situation, but it can be done.

    Totally know where you’re coming from with the self pity thing. It’s hard to admit to others, but we all do it, right? XD

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  17. Thank you so much for visiting my blog via IWSG, I can’t wait to read your View Inside blog and live vicariously through your writing course 🙂 Your post reminds me of a 2009 BBC documentary the author Stella Duffy done on Writing a Mills & Boon book. I tried to find the video for you, but they aren’t showing it anymore 😦 I’m sure you’ll write a wonderful M&B book, good luck! 😀

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  18. I think that you should stop thinking that you are writing for anything in particular and just see where the words take you.

    If you keep looking at it and thinking it is never going to be up to the standards set by M+B then it never will be.

    Write it for you and see what comes out the other side..xx

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  19. Everyone needs a day once in a while to wallow. So Wallow, soak up the love and support because that will give you renewed energy to move forward and write that Mills & Boon romance.

    It’s great that you found the perfect fit for you – as for talent – I agree with Stephen King that a large number of people have writing Talent and are good storytellers. I think what makes the difference is what you DO with your talent.

    So have a good wallow – no we all feel like that now and again, draw strength from knowing you are not alone

    And then

    Get out there and kick butt 🙂

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  20. Go with your first instinct. You felt this was right up your alley at first. Then, it must be. Let it be. Make it be. Lots of luck. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. So nice to meet you.

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  22. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and begin to doubt yourself, but just keep writing. Words on paper, or should I say on screen :), will solve most insecurities, and, eventually, you will have finished your first Mills and Boon Modern Romance. Good luck for a fellow Insecure Writer. 🙂

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  23. Hello from IWSG. Doesn’t wallowing do an important job in the animal kingdom, giving a protective skin coating that draws out poisons? Plus, it sure looks fun! If you don’t wallow too long, you’ll probably come out with the same benefits. I wish I could remember that You-tube video about writers needing lots of practice to get better but I can’t remember the author. I do remember a video by Beth Revis you should watch about all her WIPS that weren’t the one until BAM! One was. Across the Universe.

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  24. You are SO not alone! Remember what they say (either Eleanor or Theodore Roosevelt, not sure)… Comparison is the thief of joy. It’s so easy to do. I can’t even COMPARE myself to my favourite author of late because she’s out-of-this-world amazing at what she does. And who am I to think I can try to publish books when she’s publishing books? So I know what that’s all about, but when you love it so much, you just push those thoughts aside. I find I can dwell on them until I feel awful, but when I pick up another book to read, I think, “I’ve GOT to do this. No matter how bad my stuff seems right now!” Keep going! 🙂

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  25. Well, I’m glad you got over actually binning the old WIP – I keep mine tied up in the closet, something to torture if I ever find the time. But – Mills and Boon? Seriously? Can you at least throw in a crime of some sort (and don’t tell me a crime of passion), to make me happy?

    On a less dismissive note, I know you can do this. It seems you’ve found your alleyway, now just fill it with passion. Now I’ll move away from any more romantic or possible dirtier undertones to that alleyway before you delete my comment.

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    • LMAO! Oh I know, Mills & Boon, so embarrassing 😉 But, have you read one recently, from their modern range? Seriously, they’re a lot better than they used to be…. I’m not selling it to you am I? *snigger*

      Ha ha ha, would never delete your comment hon. Yes, you’re right, I CAN DO THIS 🙂 Think hubby would prefer me to go down the thriller route, can’t imagine him wanting to read any of my stuff if I do go down the M & B route lol.

      Thanks honey, for giving me a giggle 🙂

      Xx

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      • I have to admit, I haven’t read any lately – the last time was when I was 12, my education into the adult world (sad, yeah). But I’ve been thinking about incorporating realistic romance and relationships into my thrillers lately, so the subject of Suspence in Romance is actually up my own alley too. I’ll watch on with your own romantic escapades, and take some tips.

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  27. We all feel this way sometimes. You have to remember that A) the books you read have been edited a zillion times. Your first draft will not be the same as those books. You can’t see their first drafts. That comparison is not an equal one. B) even if you do read other people’s first drafts and think ‘argh mine isn’t that good’, it’s the journey that matters. Yours might take one more edit than someone else’s, so what ? The journey will get you there. YOUR journey will get you there, trust to that. The sentences you put up on this blog are awesome. I think the aim of a Mills and Boon novel is a good one. GO FOR IT. Don’t let the voice in your head stop you.

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  28. I’m feeling so insecure about my talent as a writer, the direction my book has taken and I have no confidence that I’ll manage to pull it all together and polished enough to submit it to some publishing houses. Pascal, my inner critic is bellowing at me constantly, saying my book is crap. The worst thing is that I don’t know of anyone working in this genre to talk with for guidance and help.

    I’m going to have to look up the Mills & Boon romances. You have me intrigued now. I like the Romance formula but find them surprisingly hard to write sometimes. I hope to hear about your progress with your work 🙂

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    • Awwwww, honey (((((hugs)))))

      What genre is it? Perhaps I know someone you could talk to.

      I don’t think M & B is any harder than any other genre anymore, if you stick to their Modern types. It’s a lot more relaxed than it use to be. So long as you stick to the premise, boy meets girl, lots of conflict, will they won’t they and then, at the end, they get together 😉

      Thanks hon, I will definitely be rambling on about it all 😉

      Xx

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