Friday, April 30, 2010

Two baskets

I've been a terrible blogger. I haven't visited or commented on many blogs this week, mostly because my mind has been preoccupied on my revisions. I have been working on this book for so long, focusing all of my energy on it and nothing else, but this week I had a revelation.

It's okay if it doesn't sell.

I know it's hard to believe, but I've really come to accept that. It doesn't mean I'm giving up, and that I don't think it's a good book. It just means that I'm not going to put all my hopes and dreams on this one book, which is what I've been doing. I had myself so psyched out that I thought if this book doesn't sell then that's it, my hopes of becoming an author are over. I know it's ridiculous and it's taken my a while to realize that.

The truth is, I can write another book. In fact, I can take what I've learned from the first and write an even better book. Don't get me wrong, I love my first book and if it does sell that's great, awesome even. It's just that so far I've been putting all my eggs in one basket and now I'm ready to put an egg in a different basket.

What about you do you have more than one basket?

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

10 comments:

kah said...

I know exactly how you feel. I felt similar about The Kindrily. But then I wrote a second book and i learned so much about how to improve The K.

I haven't given up on it, but I now see why it wasn't ready to be published...yet.

Never give up. It will happen on day. :)

Rena Jones said...

I know how you feel, Patti. When I wrote my first picture book, I put all my effort into it. Plus, I did just about everything wrong when it came to submitting. A year later I tried again and made all the same mistakes. In the process of learning, I began another story and that was the one that ended with a contract. I've gone back to that original one and changed it around a lot, so I haven't given up on it. I always seem to have more than one basket. I think right now I have 4 book ideas that I have yet to start on. Like Karen said, "Never give up." Big hugs.

L. D. Nash said...

Amen. It took me three books to realize this. You're doing good.

:D

Anne Gallagher said...

I've got about three baskets. I like to have a little wiggle room.

Carolyn V. said...

I have a couple. It's hard to realize that a book is not all you want it to be (trust me, I've done it plenty of times). But there are always room for more awesome wips. Good luck Patti! =)

Terri Tiffany said...

Just finished my fourth and still don't think I've got the one that might sell:)) But it's best to keep writing more cause it give you more to try to sell and you improve with each one!

Melissa Hurst said...

This is a lesson that I've come to accept recently. I really want my book to sell, but I know it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't.

Jessica Nelson said...

You bad blogger!!! *grin*

But wonderful revelation, Patti. I'm so glad that you've realized this because it's SO true: we writers are full of ideas and if one doesn't sell, then maybe another will.
It's hard to wait for publication though. *sigh* But the good news is how fast time goes when we're writing. :-)


I hope it sells Patti. :-)

lotusgirl said...

Most of my eggs are in that first basket, but some are starting to roll around in the 2nd basket. Good luck with your revisions.

Anonymous said...

You're so right about not putting all your eggs in one basket. I'm in the process of filling up new baskets. Notice, I said baskets. I may have sold one basket of eggs but I don't take for granted the fact that it might be some time before I am able to do it again.