Beating Insecurities!

Optional June Question: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

Yes, I have. SEVERAL times.

Last year, I had said it a lot--when I was getting rejections, when sales weren't happening, reviews weren't coming in, when nothing was working despite my efforts, when my depression reared it's ugly head. I would even go so far as to say to my mom, "Never publish!" 

The very second after I'd yell, "I quit," I'd be back at, trying my hardest. I can't quit writing, because it's my passion. My dream. I may succumb to the pressure and throw a tantrum, but there's not a quitter bone in this body!

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Insecurity #1: One of my biggest insecurities is recording videos of myself. I get nervous, even if I'm by myself.

Last month, I decided to squash this insecurity. 

I recorded myself doing a reading of Tsunami Crimes. I did it in one take because I didn't want to have to do it again and again. But when I finished, I was excited! I immediately created a YouTube channel, published the video, and added it to Goodreads and LinkedIn (which I had just joined at the time). 

Now, I plan to do a lot more!

Here's my reading. In the beginning, I make a pretty funny mistake. (I also mess up a few words. Oopsy.)

Side Note: To me, I'm a completely different person in this video. I felt like an actor, which is, I guess, what you have to become, even if you're an author. :P

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Insecurity #2: Being Chrys Fey in Public.

On Saturday, I had my first book signing at: Space Coast Book Lovers. 

I used this event to conquer more insecurities. I did a recorded interview for Hangin with Web Show. I was so nervous in the beginning, but the host was so nice and funny that it was surprisingly easy. I'll share the video when they put it up. :)

I also signed up for an Author Mingle/Panel. I had to talk about my first published book, Hurricane Crimes, and answer questions. My heart would pound just before it was my turn, but when I had to speak, I did good.

I was really proud of myself afterward.

The Signing: 

Me at my table.

On the right is MJ!

All the authors at the SCBL event. I'm in the back right corner.

Personal Assistants.

My mom is behind the lady in red. She's wearing a black shirt.

*Photos by Christopher John

I went to all of the authors' tables, exchanged business cards with them (including IWSG cards) and asked for their autographs.

What Works:

- Newsletter Giveaway with Newsletter Sign-up Sheets.

- Postcards with book blurb and cover art.

- Hand-painted shells...Florida. People loved it.

Plans for Future:

- MORE COOL FREE STUFF!

- Banners

- Book Stands

Yvonne Mason

Maggie Adams

*Photos by Christopher John

Blogger Scherry Jenkins asked for a picture!

She posted about the event and our meeting here.

My Mom!!

MJ Fifield!!!!!! 

Optional July 5th Question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?

Books for Writers: Bird by Bird / Books for Writers + #IWriteBecause

NOTE: I'm coming down with a cold, so it might take me some time to return comments.

Reedy's #IWriteBecause goes live today!

Hop on over to Twitter and use the hashtag #IWriteBecause to share why you write with us.

Let's get trending!

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I submitted a video for their campaign and explained why I write. My video was only 18 seconds, because I am nervous doing recordings, so I'll share a little more here. 

Ever since I was a child, I've loved to write, especially after my mom would write children's stories and read them to us. I started writing because...it was my destiny. A story idea came to me in the strangest way when I was twelve, and the rest Is history. lol 

As a disabled adult, writing is the one thing I can do. Thanks to the steel rod screwed into my spine, I often deal with back pain and restrictions that limit me from working normal jobs. Having the freedom of a writer gives me a purpose, a way to express myself, and it makes me feel like I'm doing something. It may not be a "real" job, but it's my job. It's my life.

#IWriteBecause it's my FREEDOM.

#IWriteBecause it's all I know.

#IWriteBecause I can!

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BOOKS FOR WRITERS:

One of my all-time favorite books written by a writer for writers is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. The subtitle: “Some Instructions on Writing and Life” is on par. If you don’t like how-to books, this isn’t one. This book is charming, funny, witty, and real. We get a glimpse into Anne’s life, family, and writing as well as sage advice about writing…and life.

Some chapters you’ll encounter are “False Starts,” “Plot Treatment,” “How do you know when you’re done,” “Broccoli,” “Someone to read your draft,” and “Writer’s Block.”

BLURB & BUY @ BOOKSHOP

I jotted down many quotes from this book, and I want to share them:

“One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore. Another is that writing motivates you to look closely at life, at life as it lurches and trams around.” 

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” 

“The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.” 

“…my writing is like a person to me—the person who, after all these years, still makes sense to me.” 

“…other than writing, I am completely unemployable.”

“You are probably going to have to let bad things happen to some of the characters you love or you won’t have much of a story.”

“Just don’t pretend you know more about your characters than they do, because you don’t.”

“Of course, there will always be more you could do, but you have to remind yourself that perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.”

QUESTIONS: Have you read Bird by Bird? What's your favorite book by a writer for writers?

Submit a Video to Reedsy! + Hero Lost Release

May Question: What is the weirdest/coolest thing you ever had to research for your story?

I've researched MANY things for my books, but the weirdest was for a zombie WIP. I researched voodoo, viral diseases, and things that made me cringe. 

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SUBMIT A VIDEO TO REEDSY!

Reedsy is doing a video campaign for writers to share their #IWriteBecause stories. For every writer who shares their story, Reedsy will donate $10 to Room to Read — a non-profit organization that seeks to provide girls in Africa and Asia with access to education.

Take a 30-second or less video and submit it here: #IWriteBecause on Reedsy. 

Their video campaign will go live on Twitter on May 8th!

There's a simple Google form for you to file out. TIP: Click the link they have to submit the file for your video first before submitting your completed form.

This is a cause I believe in, so I submitted my story, and so should you. 

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My Writing Life Update:

I still haven't started writing the final book in my series, but I DID edit Flaming Crimes (Book 4) and submitted it to my publisher. I went through it once and didn't even use a beta reader. That's how confident I was (still am)!

I have done a tiny bit of writing, though. I wrote a rhyming picture book. It's less than 500 words, but that's something! I'm submitting it to agents just for fun. That's how I'm going to look at submitting projects from now on. It's for fun. :)

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RELEASE DAY!

Hero Lost
Mysteries of Death and Life
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

Can a lost hero find redemption?

What if Death himself wanted to die? Can deliverance be found on a bloody battlefield? Could the gift of silvering become a prison for those who possessed it? Will an ancient warrior be forever the caretaker of a house of mystery?

Delving into the depths of the tortured hero, twelve authors explore the realms of fantasy in this enthralling and thought-provoking collection. Featuring the talents of Jen Chandler, L. Nahay, Renee Cheung, Roland Yeomans, Elizabeth Seckman, Olga Godim, Yvonne Ventresca, Ellen Jacobson, Sean McLachlan, Erika Beebe, Tyrean Martinson, and Sarah Foster.

Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these twelve tales will take you into the heart of heroes who have fallen from grace. Join the journey and discover a hero’s redemption!

Print:
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million
EBook:
Nook, iTunes, Kobo, Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon CA

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OPTIONAL JUNE QUESTION: Did you ever say “I quit”? If so, what happened to make you come back to writing?

Reminder: The questions are optional and meant as a prompt if you struggle with what to post. You don't have to answer a question if you don't want to. :)