It's IWSG time!!!!
What is that?
In the words of the founder, Alex J Cavanaugh, the IWSG is here 'To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!'
The first Wednesday of every month is the time we post our woes, hopes, dreams, concerns, ideas, chit-chats, or whatever else moves us.
(Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/)
Today's a special day for IWSG because it's the first day after the release of the latest anthology!
Dark Matter: Artificial
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Godim, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95 EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies / Space Exploration / Genetic Engineering
Amazon / iTunes / Kobo / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads
Also, the new contest is being announced today! Head on over
here to learn all about it...
because you aren't going to miss that, either!
Now, that we've gotten the announcements out of the way, it's time for this month's question!!!
Has any of your readers ever responded to your writing in a way that you didn't expect? If so, did it surprise you?
The first answer, which pops into my head is...
Some people actually claimed they enjoyed my writing!
Now, this might sound like a silly statement, but I'm more than willing to bet that I'm not the only one who was and is seriously shocked by this, at times. Of course, we hope for it and dream about people saying, "Wow. That was good!" But if you're anything like me, there's always that huge voice inside, which really isn't convinced this will ever be the case. So, hearing that for the first time is a shocker. Very unexpected (even if that sounds crazy). And even now, part of me whispers a little doubt, wondering if they're just saying it to be nice or maybe didn't read correctly?
That self-doubt monster is ruthless. Always has been. Always will be.
But here's my other answer: When Music Boxes came out, I did have a person in my family, who was disappointed I went into 'darker magic'. Since it's an evil witch, who's spinning her most sinister magic in the last scenes, I didn't think this was any worse than the usual, run-of-the-mill fairy tale. But my aunt was frustrated by the unsuitable dark tones, and that surprised me.
Another piece I wrote received feedback that I'd opened up the reader's eyes to a new-for-them genre...which was unexpected and nice. And then another, never printed tale shocked a reader with it's 'brutality and twisted-ness', which they later admitted wasn't really that bad, since they discovered I'd only based it on facts from history.
So, what odd or surprising remarks have you received? What response weren't you expecting and made you take a think-pause?
Yes! I completely agree with you! It was a huge surprise to me too when other people said that liked my writing. But there's always that inner voice telling me they are just being polite. And it's nice to Meet you, I'm Sarah - newbie writer https://irevive.online/
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting this month. I had to suppress a laugh at your line
ReplyDelete'Some people actually claimed they enjoyed my writing!'
Thanks for the giggle and I can't wait to read the new anthology.
Not sure how you could do an evil witch with light tones...
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Thanks for co-hosting this month. I'm very excited about Dark Matter. The self-doubt monster, so relatable. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, "...self-doubt monster is ruthless." Have you figured out how to tame self-doubt? I struggle with it, too. Thank you for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteLynn La Vita @ http://la-vita.us/write/
It's almost a surprise when people say they enjoy what we write, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteWhen my first historical romance was published, my Mom surprised me by telling me how much she enjoyed it but in a quiet aside confided she had skipped over some of the love scene. I assured her that was fine and told her with the next book I'd mark those scenes for her. She quickly assured that no, I didn't have to do that. And blushed. My MOM!
ReplyDeleteThe self-doubt is PAINFUL. We just have to persevere and trust that the doubt will ease off in time. Thanks for co-hosting, Tonja.
ReplyDeleteI am still at the stage where I run to my husband every time I receive a comment and read it to him while jumping up and down. I'm am kind of afraid of when that phase ends!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of us are surprised to hear others find our writing enjoyable to read. How great for you!
ReplyDeletethanks for co-hosting this month! My most recent surprising comment from a reader was that the hero of my latest contemporary romance exhibited "feminine characteristics." That comment says more about her ideas of masculine ideals than it does about my writing--guess she was expecting more chest-thumping? I wish you happy writing in May.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteSelf-doubt blocks me for a few minutes but then I have to admit I get back up and continue on.
Thank you for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I'm always amazed when people like my writing, too. I'm thankful for the readers who surprise me with praise, and I try not to let the other comments get me.
ReplyDeleteI have that huge voice in me too, which makes it scary to even try to get an agent and get published. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteMy real shock/surprise is when a critter or beta reader adds a snort, lol, or other comment on how funny I am. Gotta love that. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I believe we all suffer from self-doubt. And when someone says they love my book, like you, I wonder if they're being nice...LOL. Just take it in, and be happy. Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your share, my exuberant co-host. Since I'd been blogging for several years, mostly for myself as a personal diary of sorts, I was alternately thrilled/shocked/blindsided as the scope of my blogging expanded - all hail to this group which supports our insecurities and sins!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, my exuberant co-host. I've been alternately thrilled/shocked/blindsided by readers comments... which reinforces the need for this group, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughts, my exuberant co-host. I've been alternately thrilled/shocked/blindsided by readers comments... which reinforces the need for this group, I guess.
ReplyDeleteSelf-doubt is hard! Thanks for sharing your anecdotes, and I'm happy to see the latest anthology.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with this latest anthology. Sharing...
ReplyDeleteThe self-doubt monster really is ruthless. I regularly have to stomp on mine but, like any good zombie, it always comes right back. Thanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteCrippling self-doubt is the name of game when writing for sure. At least for me. I found when I intentionally make the sex of the character ambiguous in my shorts both men and women readers assume my protagonist is male. IDK. Happy IWSG Day. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That was my first thought (and answer), too! Shock that someone liked what I'd written. Thank you so much for co-hosting this month! And so thrilled this next anthology is out!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting! I was shocked when a few people in writing groups strongly disliked one of my main characters. They're in a small minority, since everyone else who's ever met Cinnimin over the years has loved her. Like, what did these haters expect her to do when an antagonist taunts her about her father not being long for this world, break into a smile, hug her, and sing "Kumbaya"?
ReplyDeleteThe self-doubting monster is very active in my head, too. Every time, someone praises my writing, I'm surprised and pleased, but also a little mistrustful. What if they said it out of politeness? I guess I should kill that stupid monster and believe in the readers' sincerity.
ReplyDeleteYeah, some people have odd expectations that authors will follow their values instead of the author's own values or the needs of the story or whatever. You can't please everyone.
ReplyDeleteJ Lenni Dorner (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) ~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, OperationAwesome6 Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
Oh, yes. The self-doubt monkeys, climbing through our brains. Wish we could banish the species.I suppose, any writing will have its critics and fans. It's subjective after all. I guess we writers must accept that.
ReplyDeleteA little self-doubt proves we're humble, which is preferable to insufferable ;-) The most surprised I've ever been is when several beta readers expressed interest in a sequel to a book I wasn't sure would make it to the fence, let alone sail over it.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful May - and thank you for co-hosting!
We all share similar experiences about our writing, it seems like, the good and the bad. Yes, I was surprised with the flurry of positive reactions and reviews when my memoir first came out. There is always that nagging doubt and vulnerability sending your life story out in the world. So when people commented that they “expected it to be good but not this good”, this was interesting to say the least. :-) Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI've had a mix of responses, some that left me chuffed and some that left me deflated. But art is like that. One woman's perfume is another woman's poison. Thanks for cohosting! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Aw, I love your first answer, surprised that people enjoy it. There will always be critics but that's the important thing right? Have a great May!
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Interesting what people latch onto when they're reading! Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteIt's always great when you get feedback that readers love your book. Music Box is such a great story, so I'm not surprised that you get lots of positive feedback!
ReplyDeleteI got way more positive reviews for my debut than I ever dreamed I would. I didn't know when I hit that publish button if I would get praised or vilified.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with how well Music Boxes has done. You go, girl!