Skip to main content

Insecurities in writing

Captain's Log, Stardate 10.31.2005

Happy Halloween! I'm filching--er, giving away candy at the front door to all these kids. (The Butterfinger Crisp bars are GOOD.)

I just emailed Dee about something that's been bugging me--as I do the rewrites for my suspense, I'm feeling insecure. I got great feedback from Wendy and those authors' scoresheets, so I know what I'd like to do, but I'm having a hard time feeling confident that I can do it.

Please, no fuzzy-wuzzy cyber-hugs or anything like that. This isn't something I need encouragement about. I need to sharpen my focus, sift through all I've learned from books, articles, and workshops. Most of all, I need to pray.

I know my insecurity often comes from Satan. I give in too easily. I was even expecting it, ever since the ACFW conference. I can't shake it. It's like flapping your hand to get gunk off your fingers, but it's too sticky to let loose.

I need to trust God, who has my writing career in His hands, after all. If I'm not ready, I'm not ready. I'm okay with that. I have to trust God to help me with this, it's not something I can do on my own.

Comments

Praying for you, girl. You'll get it done.

Oh, and Heather says I should smack you upside the head. You better keep an eye on me Wednesday.

Mwah ha ha ha!

LOLOLOLOL
Anonymous said…
sheesh the woman rats me out.

Praying for you. You know I believe you can do it. (If you don't know that, where the heck have you been? LOL)

"fuzzy-wuzzy cyber-hugs"

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Unknown said…
A fuzzy-wuzzy cyber hug? Sheesh, what IS that? LOLOL Sorry, you know I'm not into the whole mushy touchy stuff! LOL But I AM praying for Him to guide you to where HE wants you to be.

I don't think we're REAL writers if we aren't insecure. Some of the "big" writers still battle with it. I think as Christian writers, we're even worse. I mean, truly, how do we do justice to HIM???? I think we just have to listen to His voice in our stories and be obedient in how we respond.

And buckling down and tackling a project where you know you need to tighten, hone, etc, can be daunting. But you're on the right track...praying for His guidance. Don't worry, toots, I'll be storming the throne room on your behalf as you are His obedient servant.

No hugs, but how about a smiley? LOL :)
LaShaunda said…
Hi Camy,

No hugs I promise. LOL!

I feel insecure every other month. Its crazy, but I guess it goes with the territory.

I have a bad episode right after a rejection or reading a good book. I'm like I'll never be good.

Then I tell myself, sure you can, like you said. You get better as you learn.

So keep learning,

LaShaunda
Anonymous said…
Camy, definitely a topic on my mind today... I'm in the same boat. Praying for you.
Sharon Hinck said…
Hey, Camy!
I'm in the same boat today.
I got a crit about "saran wrap" between the reader and the character. What an apt way to put it. But as I study the chapter, I don't know HOW to get rid of that barrier. And I'm reading a book by an author I love who has NOOOO barriers. I'm right in the head of the protag. So I'm feeling SUPER inadequate.
Hang in there! Sharon

Popular Posts

Brainstorm - character occupation

Captain's Log, Stardate 03.23.2009 Hey guys, I could use some help. In my current manuscript, The Year of the Dog , which is a humorous contemporary romance, I have a minor character, Eddie. He’s my heroine’s ex-boyfriend, and they’re on good terms with each other. He’s a bit irresponsible, but not so much so that he’s a complete loser. He’s got a very easy going attitude, he forgets to pay his bills sometimes, he’s friendly and charming. He’s adventurous and fun to be around, but he’s a little forgetful sometimes, and he tends to spend a little outside his income. I need an occupation for him. What would a charming, easy going, slightly irresponsible guy do for a living? He’s not too irresponsible, because otherwise readers will wonder what in the world my heroine saw in him to date him in the first place. She was attracted to his charm, his easy going attitude (her family’s uptight, and he was a nice contrast), and his adventurousness. But his forgetfulness and irresponsibility ...

Chinese Take-Out and Sushi for One

Captain’s Log, Supplemental My agent sent me an article from Publisher’s Weekly that discussed this incident: Chinese Take-Out Spawns Christian Controversy And here’s also a blog post that talks about it in more detail: The Fighting 44s This is Soong-Chan Rah’s blog: The PCS blog In sum: Apparently Zondervan (yes, my publisher), who has partnered with Youth Specialties, had put out a youth leaders skit that had stereotypical Asian dialogue, which offended many Christian Asian Americans. In response to the outcry, Zondervan/Youth Specialities put out a sincere apology and is not only freezing the remaining stock of the book, but also reprinting it and replacing the copies people have already bought. I am very proud of my publisher for how they have handled this situation. The skit writers have also issued a public apology . (I feel sorry for them, because they were only trying to write a funny skit, not stir up this maelstrom of internet controversy. I’ve been in youth work long enou...

I got my cover!

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Blog book giveaway: To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there. Eyes of Elisha by Brandilyn Collins Tangerine by Marilynn Griffith I GOT MY COVER!!!! What do you guys think?

Lavender hand lotion

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.05.2009 I have to tell you, I LOVE Etsy.com ! Etsy is dedicated to providing a marketplace for people who like to make handmade products and people who appreciate them (and buy them). It has everything from handmade gifts (like my mom’s Bucilla Christmas stockings and ornaments and tree skirts and wall hangings and … well, just click here to see what she has! ) to soaps and lotions and jewelry and knitted items and hand-painted yarn and ... I could surf that website for DAYS. Anyway, lately I’ve been concerned about the lead content in my lotions, especially since I’m using them more now that it’s turned colder and drier here in California. I have to use lotion on my hands everytime after I wash them. So I went onto Etsy and searched for organic hand lotions, and bought this lavender lotion from Lue Cosmetics . What was really nice is that the owner, Jane, sent me a direct message via Etsy right after I made the purchase to ask if I’d received it yet and ...

I sold to Steeple Hill!

Captain's Log, Supplemental Remember that romantic suspense proposal I blogged about earlier? Well, it just sold to Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired Suspense line! I am so jazzed! I am beyond jazzed! The story’s working title is Sinister Spa The story's title is Deadly Intent and here’s a blurb (but it’s probably not what will appear on the back of the book): Massage therapist Naomi Grant could use a massage herself. With her father at home recovering from a stroke, Naomi is put in charge of the family’s elite day spa in Sonoma county. The new responsibilities sit awkwardly on her shoulders, and things only get worse when handsome Dr. Devon Knightley breezes into the spa, demanding to see one of the female clients. And the woman is found dead in Naomi’s massage room. Suddenly, Naomi is a suspect and her family’s spa is shut down. How could God let this awful thing happen? Devon only needed to see his ex-wife about a family necklace she still hadn’t returned, but when she dies and...