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IWSG August - Ramblings of a self-published author

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This is my Insecure Writers Support Group post for August.
Alex's awesome co-hosts this month are: 
Nancy Gideon, Bob R Milne,  
Doreen McGettigan, Chrys Fey,  
Bish Denham, and Pat Garcia!

Please stop by their blogs and say thank you. 


I'm insecure about a lot of things... the state of our nation... radical changes at my 'real' job... the fact I just celebrated the last birthday of my 40s, but I'm not insecure about my writing. Well, not as much as I was, anyway. 


My debut was well received, and the companion novel I just released seems to be headed in the same direction. I just have to keep pushing myself to write well, listen to my CPs, and give readers what they want. Not too difficult, right?

I'll leave you with these thoughts...
  • Have a vision for your work but don't be afraid to adjust it as you go
  • Know your genre
  • Stay humble but don't be a milquetoast; you'll never please everybody
  • Embrace confidence and keep studying the craft
Thanks for visiting. :)


IWSG is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It's a monthly bloghop that offers a safe haven for writers to express their feelings and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. It's also a venue for offering support, both in the form of comments and positive posts. Writers of all kinds are welcome. 

 We 'meet' the first Wednesday of every month. If you're interested in learning more, click on the link above. And don't be intimidated by the size of the group. We're not expected to visit everyone on the list. 

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Comments

  1. Michelle WallaceAugust 5, 2015 at 2:37 AM

    Those 4 points are spot on.
    Congrats on the release of companion novel!
    Happy IWSG Day, Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Misha GerrickAugust 5, 2015 at 4:57 AM

    I'm thrilled to read that your books are doing so well. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 5:41 AM

      Thanks, Misha. 'The' ad went out late yesterday. I'm waiting with bated breath to see if it fuels sales like it did for my debut.
      *bites nails and refreshes sales stat screen way too often* LOL

      Delete
  3. Tara TylerAugust 5, 2015 at 5:39 AM

    we are compatriots with the same worldly concerns, my friend! sometimes i wonder how long our peace will last and fear for my kids... puts everything else into perspective. just gotta keep going!
    great writerly advice, too! happy hump day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. randi leeAugust 5, 2015 at 6:03 AM

    Melissa--excellent advice! I am re-visiting my "Meet a Blogger" weekly series and I'd love to highlight your blog as I always love your posts. Would you mind if I wrote a post about you next week for "Meet a Blogger?" Send me an email at: randi.lee@mail.com and let me know if that's okay :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownAugust 5, 2015 at 6:16 AM

    Yes! Those are terrific tips! I agree with you completely. Congrats on your new release. I'm sure it'll be just as much of a success as your last, and I hope you have many more to come!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousAugust 5, 2015 at 6:33 AM

    Congrats on the well-received debut novel :) The four points are spot on!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Madeline Mora-SummonteAugust 5, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    Having a vision but being flexible with it is a great reminder. So many things are outside of our control that our original goal might not even be feasible anymore.

    Oh, and not being able to please everybody? So, so true. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. J.Q. RoseAugust 5, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    Embrace confidence is the one definitely needed to remember by all of us "insecure writers." Good points. If you want to promo your new book, you're welcome to return to the J.Q. Rose blog. Wishing you great success with your companion novel.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Chemist KenAugust 5, 2015 at 7:41 AM

    Melissa, glad you enjoyed my blog post. Hope I send lots of people your way. Glad your new novel is doing well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 7:56 AM

      Oh my gosh, Ken. You made my day with that post.
      I'm STILL laughing about it! :D

      Delete
  10. Nick WilfordAugust 5, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Nice uplifting post. Those words of wisdom could help us all, especially about confidence; that's a challenge for me. Good to hear things are going well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 8:09 AM

      We have to embrace confidence when it comes. As long as we don't forget to stay humble, we'll be fine. ;)

      Delete
  11. Christine RainsAugust 5, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    Wonderful advice. Sometimes the confidence part is hard, but we must believe in our stories. Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. ELAdamsAugust 5, 2015 at 8:12 AM

    Fantastic advice. Congratulations on your release! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chrys FeyAugust 5, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    I'm so happy for you that your book was well-received and your next is on its way. Great advice too!

    IWSG co-host Write with Fey

    ReplyDelete
  14. cleemckenzieAugust 5, 2015 at 9:50 AM

    Good way to think about yourself as a writer, Melissa. Great news about your book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 1:40 PM

      I still get insecure, but I'm resisting it. LOL

      Delete
  15. Alex J. CavanaughAugust 5, 2015 at 10:11 AM

    Don't worry, you're still young!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Crystal CollierAugust 5, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Awesome advice, Melissa. Sending cheese to fuel you through the next release!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 1:42 PM

      Thanks. I'll munch on it while I take a much-needed break. :)

      Delete
  17. Liz BlockerAugust 5, 2015 at 10:31 AM

    Great advice, and not random ramblings at all! I'm so glad the release is going well!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bish DenhamAugust 5, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    You've got almost 2 decades to catch up with me! You're still young and the 50s are a great age! Go with the flow.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie FlandersAugust 5, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    Made me smile to read that you're not feeling insecure about writing. Hooray!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 1:44 PM

      That may change tomorrow, but for now, I'm good. LOL

      Delete
  20. TBMAugust 5, 2015 at 11:05 AM

    Great points. For some reason I've always loved the word: milquetoast

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lyn HornerAugust 5, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    Congrats on your new release! Thanks for the great tips.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Elizabeth SeckmanAugust 5, 2015 at 11:11 AM

    Don't be milquetoast...don't be milquetoast. That's what I'm walking away with.

    Congrats on the new book! It's awesome, of course. No surprise it's headed to the best seller ranks.

    ReplyDelete
  23. SK AnthonyAugust 5, 2015 at 11:53 AM

    I definitely need to remember I can't please everyone. I get so much in my head of why "this" and "that" won't be well received... then I remember it's my story and only I know how it turns out (with CPs help of course lol). Great advice and yes, we must keep learning our craft! Love the post :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 2:00 PM

      CPs are the best!

      As long as we give our readers what they want, we'll be okay. That's the 'know your genre' part. ;)

      Delete
  24. Nissa AnnakindtAugust 5, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    I agree with you on not trying to please everyone. If you try that you usually don't please anyone.

    http://myantimatterlife.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Doreen McGettiganAugust 5, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    Congratulations on the new book! I have never been so happy since I decided to give up on pleasing everyone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 5:49 PM

      Thanks!

      For me, it was a matter of learning enough and gaining enough confidence in my writing. Until I reached that point, I struggled when it came to processing feedback. It's still not easy, but I'm more sure of my choices now.

      Delete
  26. Loni TownsendAugust 5, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    I learned a new word today! milquetoast

    I know my genre. :D It does feel good to feel secure in that area.

    I hope everything works out in your non-writing life!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 5, 2015 at 5:49 PM

      It's not spelled the way you think it would be.
      Me, too!

      Delete
  27. J E OneilAugust 5, 2015 at 3:12 PM

    There always seems to be new things to be insecure about. I'm glad writing at least is going good. Congrats on the recent birthday and the recent release :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Michael Di GesuAugust 5, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    Hi, Melissa!!!!

    CONGRATS!!! I knew you'd get write another winner.... Keep the faith and all will be well....

    Thanks for the sound advice....

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousAugust 5, 2015 at 9:49 PM

    Thanks for more great advice, and congrats on your writing successes!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.comAugust 5, 2015 at 10:36 PM

    I think you're doing great, Melissa.
    And I'm with you on the insecurity about being 49 thing. It feels weird and uncomfortable and outright wrong to have 5-0 approaching next. Right? At least, I'm in good company.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 6, 2015 at 7:52 AM

      Turning 30 was hard for me because I wasn't where I wanted to be in life. 50 is going to be difficult, too, but for different reasons.

      Maybe we can share some wine and some chocolate. :)

      Delete
  31. Mark KoopmansAugust 6, 2015 at 12:41 AM

    Wise words - and I expect nothing less when I stop over to visit you, Melissa :)

    Oh, and don't worry, I'll never be a milkytoast... that sounds a bit soggy for my taste.

    I'm going to stick with I Can't Believe It's Not Clogging My Arteries Faster.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Pat GarciaAugust 6, 2015 at 4:46 AM

    Hi Melissa,
    First, congratulations!!! Somehow the launch of your book escaped me. Your books are now on my reading list.
    Thank you for the words of wisdom. My heart agrees wholeheartedly with what you have said.
    Take care.
    Shalom,
    Pat Garcia

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kristin SmithAugust 6, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    Congrats on your newest release!! And thanks for the great advice!

    I'll be honest, I'd never heard the word milquetoast—I learned a new word! ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 10, 2015 at 7:09 AM

      Thanks, Kristin.
      I'd heard it growing up, I was just surprised at the spelling.

      Delete
  34. AnonymousAugust 6, 2015 at 3:08 PM

    Wow, clearly I missed the release while I was offline. Congratulations, and I'm so sorry I wasn't around. From what I can see, it's headed in a great direction!! :D

    I read Ken's post and was laughing out loud at his diagram. XD I'm with Kristin; I'd never heard the word milquetoast either, I have to look it up now. Love you!!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mason T. MatchakAugust 7, 2015 at 11:44 PM

    Good advice. ^_^ I think the point about knowing you'll never please everybody is a really important one; it's way too easy to hear a bunch of conflicting opinions and think you've done something wrong because so many people like or dislike different things about your work. But it's your work and should stay that way as you're working on it, and if someone doesn't like it, well, that's just how it goes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 10, 2015 at 7:11 AM

      I go for pleasing the majority of my target audience (key words 'majority' and 'target audience'). Thanks for visiting, Mason.

      Delete
  36. Sher A. HartAugust 9, 2015 at 4:06 PM

    Better late than never, so here I am thanks to Ken. I think the idea of pleasing everybody is what changed my direction from writing to editing. Maybe that's why I started writing short stories this year, mostly true ones. For some reason, maybe because it's non-fiction, I don't think I need to please everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Donna K. WeaverAugust 10, 2015 at 6:43 AM

    Don't worry about turning 50! Haven't you heard this before:

    Forty if the old age of youth. Fifty is the youth of old age.

    See, you'll be young again.

    For an old fart. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MelissaAugust 10, 2015 at 7:13 AM

      Maybe so, but I'm hanging on to my 40s for as long as possible. :P

      Delete
  38. Melissa SugarAugust 13, 2015 at 3:18 PM

    A very encouraging and inspirational posts about writing. About the age thing - well I'm feeling it right a long with you. I'm happy your companion novel is doing so well. You seem to have a really good handle on your writing and I admire you for overcoming your insecurities .

    ReplyDelete
  39. UnknownAugust 16, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    Melissa, great advice and congrats on your latest release. Wishing you the best!

    ReplyDelete

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