Photo by Scott on Flickr
I was going to post today about how I was starting to get very nervous about releasing my books. Excited but nervous!
Then I was reading over a few advice articles about blogging as a writer and some of the advice was not to post about the struggles you have as a writer. How we shouldn’t post too honestly.
…Whoops!
All I have done is post honestly about my journey as a writer 😀
So, why did they advise against it? Because it might give potential readers a little reservation about reading your book if they think you struggled to write it.
I suppose that makes sense, but then, what’s the point in blogging about my writing if I’m not going to be honest about it?
Yes, I have been worried about my writing, I have had trouble with some aspects and posted about that. But the incredible support I have had from fellow bloggers and writers has got me through those times. I couldn’t have got as far as I have without the support of this writing community.
Also, if I didn’t worry about my writing, then I wouldn’t strive to better myself and my craft. And that, after all, is very important. If I didn’t look over my work and think about it critically, worrying about every detail and word, then I don’t think I would get very far.
Just because I don’t go around bragging about my writing, doesn’t mean I’m not proud of it! 😀 I like my stories, and I do think my ability is strong. I just struggle sometimes, as everyone else does. I struggle, I ask for advice (which you guys are nice enough to give!), and then I overcome, grow and learn. In the end my writing is better for being honest.
In the end, I hope if potential readers stumble on this blog, they will read about the hard work, heart and soul that went into my writing, and how I want to produce the absolute best writing and stories for others to read. I hope they will appreciate that and be encouraged to read my works because of that 🙂
So, not posting honestly is advice I am going to have to ignore. This blog is an honest account of my journey to self-publishing my books. Warts and all!
Do you like honest blog posts from writers? Do you post about your struggles as a writer?
–
Progress Report
Publishing status:
> Stolen- Final read out. (Still to do: Cover, blurb, formatting, marketing).
> The Queen’s Jester- Final edits. (Still to do: Cover, blurb, final read-out, formatting, marketing).
> Third Manuscript- Final edits. (Still to do: Cover, blurb, formatting, marketing).
May E-Book Review: Reading.
A Writer's Life For Me. 
Great post I think we all struggle as writers, that’s a given. I also can see both sides of the coin. But, I don’t see why all bloggers/blogs/writers must be One Size Fits All. I say go for it.
Everyone is individual and that should be reflected through blogging and writing and life in general 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Couldn’t agree more. Great post.
I really do think that honesty is the best policy. I certainly wouldn’t avoid reading a book just because someone was honest about how much they struggled while writing it. In fact, I think I’d be MORE inclined to read a book by someone who is honest about that because it gives a better impression — the impression that he or she takes his/her craft seriously. Writing IS a craft. It has to be. You’re constructing something FROM SCRATCH, even if you’re riffing on older stories or archetypes or genre expectations or whatever. If someone was blogging about how easy it all is…I wouldn’t believe that person, for one thing, but I’d also wonder if that person was just publishing a first draft of something without going back over it with a critical eye or doing any sort of critical reflection. You don’t have to torture yourself or anything, but as Hemingway said, “The first draft of anything is sh*t.” Sometimes I’m as interested in hearing about how you go from the crappy first draft to the polished final version as I am in reading the actual book. 🙂
That said, I get that not all of your readers are going to be other writers, so they may very well want to hear that it was all magical and everything fell into place with the first try. My argument against that, though, is that if they’re reading your blog, they’re interested in YOU (as a person and author, not just your final book products), so tell them about the journey!
A great comment and great points. I am exactly like you, I am more inclined to read someone’s book knowing how much time and energy went into it. The first draft is always… interesting 😀 But it’s the journey from there to the finished product which is important, and interesting to read on a blog.
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Nice read! And, whoops here, too. Still, I have to wonder if the people writing articles about writing are basing their ‘facts’ on general consensus or personal opinion. I, too, started my blog (advised to do so) about my journey through the writing/editing/publishing process with the sole purpose of using it as a way to deconstruct the processes and much as it was there as a personal sounding board – for myself. To me, that meant being honest and open about said process. We can’t please all the people all the time. We do what works best for ourselves, and you should feel that way, too.
That’s exactly how I feel. My blog is a place to talk about my writing and the process, and connect with other bloggers and writers 😀 Honesty is needed when you want to express exactly what’s going on!
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I agree. And as a fledgling writer, I’m fascinated by other writers’ journeys. How did they get from zero to published? Each path is different and you can learn from each one. A lot of readers may not care about the journey. That’s why I have a couple of blogs – one targeted to readers and one about the process. Of course, I’m still new at this, so this is just opinion, not advice!
Having 2 blogs is a clever idea! I don’t know how you manage to do it though, I struggle with keeping up with one 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I personally think a person should blog about whatever they want — that is as long as they’re not vicious lies. What you write tells someone who you are, after all. I appreciate blogs like your because by you writing about your struggles as an author, I’m assured that I’m not alone in what I’m going through. For example your hesitation in releasing your books: I have yet to release one seeing that I’m still on my 1st drafts (yes, 3 of them) but knowing what you’re going through, I believe, is going to make it slightly easier for me because now I know that I’m not the only one with feelings of fear.
I’m glad you enjoy my blog 🙂 I was hoping it might help other writers connect. Writing is tough, self-publishing, traditional or just hobby! It can sometimes be very draining when there is no one else going through the same thing.
When I started blogging, it was my way of trying to find others going through the same thing, and I am very grateful to have found others 😀
Honest blogging is the best way to go! Good luck with your books, if you need any help or just want to chat, let me know. The writing community is a strong and supportive place to be 🙂
Hmm. I’ve mentioned mistakes I’ve made now and then–but not too often. And I enjoy reading about other writer’s travails. (I don’t feel so alone …) Btw, I know a horror writer who told an anecdote at a writing panel about how his agent told him: I wasn’t expecting that. Next time warn me. (It must have been really horrible.)
It is nice to meet other writers who are going through the same thing 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Write what feels natural to you. Most writers have struggles and it in no way effect whether i will read your book. If I like the beginning I will read the rest. When it’s released give everyone a teaser – then it won’t matter what you’ve said before.
I’m glad people feel that way. I always think it’s better to be honest and people will respect you for it 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
Pingback: Honesty is the Best Policy… (link) | Joy V. Smith
Every writer struggles with their work. Frankly – I would find it difficult to give credence to a writer who said otherwise! Good post – thank you for the honesty!
Glad you enjoyed the post, sometimes you just got to speak your mind, and most of the time people will respect you more for it 😀
Thank you for dropping by and commenting 🙂
I agree with you. If you were only using your blog as a running advertisement, then sure don’t say anything about struggling. But this is about the journey and the process and honestly, it isn’t easy. Keep doing what you’re doing!
I like my blog to be a place where I can detail my journey, so as you say, it’s better to be honest about it 😀
Thank you for reading and commenting 🙂
I guess bragging has nothing to do with the proud feeling! In fact it is more to do with overconfidence and boast. So since you are none of these, I like the fact that you are grounded and unique…HONESTLY telling 🙂
Thank you so much 😀 I do like to be honest in what I do, the good times and the bad. You never know who might pop onto my blog and be encouraged to give writing a go!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting 🙂