Overcoming My Writing Fears...One At A Time!

This weekend I enjoyed making fabulous progress on the sequel to my first novel. I figured that since I am waiting to hear back about whether I'll be accepted or rejected, I'd go ahead.

That was 3 months ago.

I am just now making any real progress on book 2. Why? Because when I looked at beginning the 2nd, I was assailed with self-doubt. Did I have another book in me? Could I really make a 2nd book as good as the 1st? What if the 1st was rejected?

These questions went on and on and on. So I continued tinkering with the first. You know, looking for spelling errors, typos, grammar mistakes. Anything to keep from having to figure out how to start the 2nd book. Then about 3 weeks ago, I sat down and wrote the prologue. I liked it, but I had known since the beginning of book two how the mini story of my prologue was going to go. I tried to start the actual 1st chapter, but I totally stalled out.

After the end of the 1st book, a different tone needed to be set. A lot happened in that first book. Some characters figured out who they were, others had their dreams shattered, and still others met untimely demise.

I. Was. Terrified.

However, after a few weeks of wallowing in this sense of helpless fear, I got fed up with myself. So this weekend, I sat down and finished chapter 1, and reached the final scene of chapter 2. It was AMAZING! I got my mojo back. I know you, my lovely writer friends, understand what I am talking about.

I am back in the swing. I am excited again. I feel this book and while some of the characters are the  same, there are new ones and I cannot wait to get to know them better. Great progress was made. Progress that I plan to continue tomorrow, the next day, and so on until I have another first draft. Then I am going to submit it to my critique group to tear apart. I love being a writer.

How about you? Did you have a hard time starting your 2nd book? Were you afraid you had used up all your good writing on the first? I'd love to hear your story.

Comments

  1. I'm still on book one lol. BUT, I know what you mean about sitting down to write and feeling like you've got nothing to bring to the table. I LOVE it when I get my mojo back!

    Keep on writing!!

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  2. You can do it. Don't let doubt get in your way. This is a fabulous post for IWSG. ARe you a member? I'm a new follower. :)

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  3. Hey Sabrina! You asked about blog challenges on my post. I'd have to search for some writing challenges, although I know a couple are coming up. I know of several blogfests, including my own on September 17 and the Chocolate blogfest on September 10. Sorry, otherwise drawing a blank!

    ReplyDelete

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~Sabrina

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