New Here

[BJones]

Hi all. This is my first post. I have a completed novel and after sending the first batch of queries, I have only three agents reading, but I am keeping my fingers crossed. I am about a third into the second novel and hate to say it, but I love it much more than the first. Is that normal? Sometimes, I want to toss the first in the trash and pretend it never happened. The first has only been read by about 10 people, half not being friends or family. The response has been very positive, but I can't help feeling like it could be better.

Does that happen to anyone else? You read your own book so many times that your sick of it and wonder if it's dumb? I've actually wanted to punch my own character.

Now, all is different with number 2. Book 1 is a suspense. Book 2, I'm afraid, may be borderline horror. I've actually had to walk away from it because I'm scaring the poo out of myself. Also the fear of the genre change is present.

Anyway, I didn't mean this to be so long. I just love reading the advice on this board from the many wise people and was hoping someone would tell me I'm still normal.

Thanks,
B

[MarkPettus]

I think it sounds normal. I still love my first book, but I've seen a lot of people who don't feel that way about their first.

I'm in almost exactly the same situation (finished first novel in agents hands, midway through second novel), and have enjoyed and benefitted from my time here at AW.

Welcome.

[September skies]

Welcome BJones! :) Is your first name Bridget?

[triceretops]

Welcome Bjones, and yes those reactions are quite normal. My recently completed two novels hate each other for some reason and are each begging for my attention and compliments. When the agent/editors send rejection slips and, coupled with reading your own material so many times, you get to a point where you think: "I suck" what in the hell prompted me to write these losers anyway?

We all go through that. Best advice is to forge on, and not listen to those little demon voices, and I know it's hard.

Good luck and good hunting--I'm where you're at too.

Triceratops

[JennyWren]

Hi B

Congrats! Firstly on finishing your book, then on sending it out, and finally on getting THREE agents to request to read it. You obviously don't suck.

I completely understand your feelings, though. I have finished my first novel (first and second drafts), and am now wondering whether to give it a polish and (eek) send it Out There. Or, to completely re-write and re-structure the whole bally thing... Or to just stick it in the bottom drawer and get stuck into the next one. Decisions, decisions...

Good luck with yours!

JennyWren

[James D. Macdonald]

Does that happen to anyone else? You read your own book so many times that your sick of it and wonder if it's dumb? I've actually wanted to punch my own character.


Completely normal.

[Saanen]

I find that when I start a new project, I get so interested in it that all my previous stuff seems flat and boring, not to mention awful. Sort of like getting into a new relationship--your previous significant other seems so dull once you meet someone new.

[BJones]

Thanks everyone. I guess my excitement over the new one probably has something to do with it. I go back and forth. I read all the time and while I may have negative thoughts about my own, sometimes I read a book and think 'mine's as good as this.' I'm going to try not to dwell on it. Just wait and see what the agents think.

Just curious. Writing is easy, but do you guys have trouble with titles? I wrote the book in about three months. It took about four to come up with the title. I'm still not jazzed about it.

Also, how do you feel about pen names? How do you go about picking one? I really don't want my name on the front of the book, but I can't seem to come up with that either.

I've been writing forever. It was so much easier before I decided to try to publish.

B

[Bufty]

Hi BJ, Welcome.:hi: And yup - your reactions are perfectly normal.

Thanks everyone. I guess my excitement over the new one probably has something to do with it. I go back and forth. I read all the time and while I may have negative thoughts about my own, sometimes I read a book and think 'mine's as good as this.' I'm going to try not to dwell on it. Just wait and see what the agents think.


Just curious. Writing is easy, but do you guys have trouble with titles? I wrote the book in about three months. It took about four to come up with the title. I'm still not jazzed about it. BJ, About three months to write is the same as me. Yes the writing was fun and in that sense one could I suppose call it easy. It's the revision and polishing where the graft starts. Titles take a little thought and I'm sure can be left to the last minute anyway. I suspect it may be easier to hit on a Title after the book's finished - that way you can maybe pick a brief original phrase from the book itself.

Also, how do you feel about pen names? How do you go about picking one? I really don't want my name on the front of the book, but I can't seem to come up with that either. Folk use pen names for various reasons. Use a pen name if you want to. At least if the novel flops you can say it wasn't you when you write the next one under your own name. But if it succeeds.... What's wrong with your own name, BJ? I rather fancy seeing my own name up there - wishful thinking.:ROFL:

I've been writing forever. It was so much easier before I decided to try to publish. [In what sense, BJ. Worrying it's good enough, or something else?]

B

[BJones]

All of it, I guess. Worrying about how good it is, queries, rejections, send the first three chapters, 'sounds strong, but I'm busy', blah, blah, blah.

All said, though, I'm happy. I do realize I finished it and that's something I've wanted to do for years, not to mention, it is being read by a few agents. So, I know I shouldn't have anything to complain about.

B

[DamaNegra]

I feel the same way you do, BJones. I write a novel, re-read it and then it's like: 'did I actually write THIS?' and I just bury it ten feet into the ground and plant a big tree over it so no one will ever have a chance of finding such crap.

I get a feeling it has something to do with self-esteem. I've always had low self-esteem, therefore everything I do is crap. Just a thought, though.

[BJones]

I've never thought about that. I don't have great self esteem, but it's not the worst either. What sometimes helps me? Read a book. Sometimes I'll read a book and think, 'my book is as good as this crap.' 'If they can publish this garbage, they can publish my garbage. It helps.
B