Monday, October 3, 2011

The Myth of Writing


I’ve been mistaken all along about writing. I thought I could just sit at my computer day after day, create what I wanted and know that everything else would be taken care of. Wrong!
Once I signed a contract with the publisher, my world changed. There are decisions to be made about the art work and proof reading that has to be done. Along with that comes the worry that you may have missed a typo or a period. (I always want things perfect.)
After your book as gone to the printer, then the marketing team takes over a big chunk of your life. What? I have to have a Launch party? Book signings? I have to sit at the table in Costco and meet the public?
Well, this has gotten entirely out of hand. I’m a shy sort of person who loves to be in the background. What happened to my sitting at the computer all day?
Maybe I’m like a rose, ready to explode into bloom. The bud is small and tight at first, but as it grows, the pressure increases for it to break out of its confinement—burst its constraints. That’s not an entirely comfortable process. At times I feel scared; other times I’m shy; but mostly I wish for my background status to return.
I know that won’t ever happen, and it’s really okay that it doesn’t. We all need to keep moving forward creating and making the world a better place. I want to do that more than I want to stay in a tight undeveloped bud.
I can make it. I can do it, but it’s scary. And then everyone around me is loving and supporting and caring for me. Would I miss that time of connection with others? Not on your life! What a blessing! Writing becomes a ‘happily-ever-after’ tale.
Christy Monson’s book will be in book stores and on Amazon after the first of November, 2011. Title: Texting Through Time, a Trek with Brigham Young.

5 comments:

Bethany Elizabeth said...

Great post - I'm kind of shy too. The idea of having to sit at a table at Costco would frighten me, but it's all part of the deal, right? :)

Linda Garner said...

I'm excited for you, Christy. November is right around the corner. Even though you're shy, I'll bet you'll love it. Life is full of changes. Love, LG

Dawn Ius said...

Awesome post. I'm ok with sitting at a table...but I'm terrified of speaking in public. Like everything else, it's something I'll have to learn. Hang in there - you're going to have an amazing November!

N. R. Williams said...

Always something Carolyn, even for the self published.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, The Treasures of Carmelidrium

Christy Monson said...

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really too shy to do these things, but I'm reaching down inside to find my strength.

And isn't that what we ask our protagonists to do? Are we not as good as them. (Well, maybe I'm not!)