Yesterday evening my better half uttered some words of wisdom and the more I thought on them, the more I realized how much they applied to me lately.
Just minutes before, I'd hit the send button on an email submission. My remark was to the effect I wasn't sure if I'd done something smart or stupid but it was a bit scary anyway. That's when he said, "You can't get discovered if you live in a cave."
As I writer I have to put myself and my writing out there if I want to be discovered. And I do want that. I want to see my novel on the bookstore shelves. I want people to discover my writing, read and love it. But that won't happen if I don't suck it up and send it out there. I have to come out of my cave/comfort zone.
But the more I thought about what he said, I realized it applied to me in more than one way. Lately I've withdrawn into a cave, distanced myself from online friends, this blog, and even people I see on a regular basis.
So, I'm coming out of my cave. I'm going to be writing and sending out more stories, working harder on the novel revisions and endeavoring to keep up the blog.
Join me as I expand my comfort zone?
10 comments:
I've been twittering more, and talking up my book to friends I haven't seen in a long time. My true test of coming out of the cave will be talking about my book to strangers, especially the closer it gets to publication.
I find it especially difficult to speak about my writing, especially to strangers. Guess it's that old adage I keep hearing in my head -- don't brag on yourself.
But how's anybody to know if I don't make the effort? So, Jean, I'll share some of my courage with you if you'll do the same.
I'm right there with you. A week ago I got up the courage to send a short story to a short story blog I read. Yesterday, I got the acceptance and will see my story up in two weeks. It's exciting but it also feels like I'm being asked to parade around naked for a few hours -- eek.
As if that wasn't enough I entered my manuscript in a contest and sent the link to all my friends and relatives to rate -- now they're going to know what I've been working on all this time. Double Eek.
However, so far so good. I got a call from my cousin that she loves it and asked permission to send the link to some of her friends. Shiver. But, you're right. If we don't get out there nothing will ever happen.
So glad you've decided to come out of the cave. I really enjoy this blog :)
Welcome to the outside. Now we must band together and make sure we all stay out here or find a balance between hiding and being out. An interesting dilema
God Bless,
Christina Weigand
http://www.weigandchris.com
Ahem! Yes...cave dweller, I am one too. Good luck with venturing to the outside world. :-)
Good for you Nicole. Congrats on the acceptance. Be sure to let us know when it's up and where we can find it. And best wishes in the contest.
And I'm looking forward to your book too Jeffrey. Gosh, that sounds strange...I prefer Zave. :-)
Gay...you hide that difficulty well. I've always admired how in to promoting your work you are.
Chris - it really is a dilema sometimes. I know for myself I tend to overdo on the "outside" then have to resort to hibernation to get back to a more even keel. I'm hoping to be more balanced this time around.
Vanessa...maybe we need to make our caves less cozy. :-)
Ahem! Yes...cave dweller, I am one too. Good luck with venturing to the outside world. :-)
Welcome to the outside. Now we must band together and make sure we all stay out here or find a balance between hiding and being out. An interesting dilema
God Bless,
Christina Weigand
http://www.weigandchris.com
Chris - it really is a dilema sometimes. I know for myself I tend to overdo on the "outside" then have to resort to hibernation to get back to a more even keel. I'm hoping to be more balanced this time around.
Vanessa...maybe we need to make our caves less cozy. :-)
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