Writing a book is not so hard—it’s the sharing of it that’s breath taking! LOL! And explaining yourself—that’s hilarious!
I have about six novels going right now—I may never even send them in to a publisher. They’re something for me to do, and it’s hard to tell whether it’s any good or not by letting family (extremely biased prejudice!) read your manuscripts, or re-reading them yourself.
Mine amuse me, and they’re much better than a lot of stuff I’ve read that got published.
I have one children’s novel going—the kind I loved when I was a precocious young reader—lots of action, magic, animals, good versus evil—with lots of new, but not too difficult, words in it. Children are so eager to learn, more than just Dick and Jane. I loathed those books, by the way!
My niece read some of it—why did you name the characters this? Why did you do that? So, have you gotten anything published yet? She’s ten, and she cracked me up with her questions! She did like the story, though!
Keep writing, and let your FRiends know when you publish!
And you’re right—we are insane! I’ve always enjoyed the worlds inside my head far more than anything on TV!
I’ve written two plays that have been produced locally (Hampton Roads area of Virginia). They both played to very appreciative audiences, but were savaged by the local newspaper critic. My wife actually took the bad reviews worse than I did, since I knew that the critic was a hopeless jerk who couldn’t identify with happy endings, or the concept of a heterosexual romance.
But I digress...
It was scary putting myself out there on stage, with directors and actors interpreting my words, and audiences deciding whether or not they wanted to allow me to entertain them. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, though.
I have a novel (spiritual thriller) that I’ve started many times. My wife wants me to finish it, but I keep telling her that when I started it, I was in a different place. Now I’m married and happy, and I don’t really want to go back to where I was when I started it. Maybe someday I can compartmentalize enough to do it... but not yet.
I have one children’s book written, another in outline form and sort of semi-vague plans for a whole series. The one that is written is now being illustrated. They are for little children, ages 4-7.
I also have the idea for one young adult novel in outline form and the idea for another swirling in my head.
I am afraid to share them too. I fear rejection for something that I have planned and worked at for so long.