Hey Y’all,
I’m going to come clean, I’ve been struggling a bit with completing the second book. It’s not because I don’t want to finish it. It’s because of a little thing called self-doubt. I’m not a stranger to self-doubt, mind you. Self-doubt is something we all experience at one point or another in our lives. It rears its ugly head whenever we’re embarking on a new adventure (and that’s what writing is for me, an adventure). I certainly had a lot of self-doubt going on when I was writing my first book. However, this is the self-doubt of a different kind.
It’s the doubt born of expectations.
When I was writing Black Pearl, no one knew me. When self-doubt rose, I could tell myself, “Well, if no one likes it, at least you tried. You went after something you wanted.” I could manage that self-doubt by telling myself expectations weren’t high because I was an unknown author. Today, that’s no longer the case. I’ve released my first book, and most of the feedback has been extremely positive.
Now, I’m writing my second book.
As of this moment, I am approximately 80%-90% of the way through my first draft of Raul and Mercedes’ story. This book is different because the main characters are different. Their journey is not the same as Nikola and Devyn’s. It feels easy for me to fall back into a formula that worked the first time around, but that wouldn’t be fair to the characters, the story or the readers. But with this realization come the doubts: Will people like it? What if this story is not up to expectation? What if I’m a ‘one hit wonder’ (so to speak)? These doubts can be paralyzing.
In actuality, I could’ve been done with the first draft of Raul and Mercedes’ story, but self-doubt has often kept me from being able to focus. I’ve definitely gotten better in the last few weeks, and have been more dedicated to completing this story. Each day I get closer and I realize that self-doubt is just something I will have to contend with in this journey as a writer. I’ve said before, my goal with each book is to get better and better. To do that, I need to be okay with stepping out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and actually, you know….write. So that’s what I’ve been telling myself whenever self-doubt creeps in.
Just write.
Editing is a whole other process.
Mama your first book was real good and I know this one will be even better. God is good so you don’t worry about nothing. Am one of your fans all the way from trinidad and tobago and I got your back Diva so u chillacks and everything will be okay
This comment made me smile so broadly. :)Thank you so much!
Hello. Thank you so much for sharing with us your doubts and fears. You have conquered your first battle. You recognize it is fear but God gave you an incredible gift to share with the world. I think all of is can attest how fear can be so staggering but you did it! Black Pearl was a hit and it will continue to get better! Trust and believe in your gift! God bless you and yours!
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement and I trust in the gift I have been given.
I’ve just finished Black Pearl and instantly went looking for the follow-up so you know you got it! We’d all love to hit it out of the ball park every time and the best way to do that is to forget everybody else and just write for yourself. Enjoy the process, enjoy the journey. I’m an artist so I know what creative pressure is like, and the only way to beat it is to get into your zone and forget it. When next you surface then you can look at what you made and think “Damn girl! You rock!” Well at least that’s what I tell myself when I emerge from hours of painting, step back from the canvas and feel a bit surprised to see what I’ve created. Enjoy your gift!
Thank you so much! I am working on drowning out the negative thoughts and keeping focused! I appreciate the support so much.
Tiffany, you are strong and confident like your character mercedes, your first book was amazing…stay focus on your goal, the completion of another great book..feel the self doubt leave your thoughts….embrace the words you write..dig deep and overcome this thing called doubt…looking forward to book 2
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for that treat. I can’t wait for your new book that
comes out in September.
Hi Linda,
You welcome. Thank you for the support! I am excited for you all to be able to read it. Only about a week and a few days!