Am I invisible?

Happy IWSG Day!

I've actually had a pretty good April. But of course, things happen. Still, we carry on and deal with it all, including: a couple of minor accidents, a major setback for one son, and some unexpected travel. It's all working out. And I'm even getting some writing done on my two projects. It feels great to be writing again!

Then there are also the down moments when I feel invisible, or not worth responding to. Seems to be happening more as I get older. Are people too busy? Did they not hear me? I guess it's not worth worrying about. But then, I read this:

    "The best quality books are not the ones that typically sell.

    The most talented writers are not always well known.

    The worthiest information rarely spreads the farthest.

    Or: The cream does not necessarily rise to the top.

    This is a message I repeat across my classes and writings, not to discourage people, but to reassure. It applies to matters great and small.

​    It took me months of intensive research to find accurate information on a health issue. I spent seven years looking for political reporting that made sense to me. And it took a decade to uncover good curly hair products.

    In so many cases, whatever I’m looking for has been around for years. But it’s almost never the first answer, source, or solution I’m presented with."

The End. No solution or advice on how to change this despairing scenario. No "but carry on and persevere and eventually you'll get noticed..." Nothing more.

This was the opening note in a newsletter I subscribe to by a long-time writer I have followed for many years. She lives near me, and I got a chance to meet her a couple of years ago. Usually her newsletter is full of wisdom and notices of events and promotions for writing bloggers. But this was so disappointing--especially because it's true! And I really felt the sting of it now that I'm starting over, more like clawing my way back, trying to get a publisher. Which I apparently need since I wasn't able to get a table at my go-to book fair this year, even with a shiny new book--because it was self-pub.

Maybe she was having a bad week. I won't stop following her because I've been there too.

What do you all think? 

How was your April?

Am I taking this piece too much to heart? 

And I'd love to hear how you feel about publishing these days...?

Thanks for stopping by!

BTW - Our Next Chat is Tuesday May 7 - tell me in the comments if you'd like the link!

7 Things Writers Can't Help Doing

Writers have unique minds. Our thought process isn't always normal, but it's perfect for creating wonderful stories. Characters speak to us, scenes come alive for us, and our imaginations take us (and readers) to extraordinary places...

Here are just a few things Writers Can't Help...

1. Imagining backstories of random strangers
2. Thinking, "This would make a great twist" when something goes wrong
3. Staring off into space because you're replaying a scene and thought of a better ending then laughing out loud from it
4. Writing down a dream idea in the middle of the night and having no idea what it means in the morning
5. Coming up with several different ways to kill someone and get away with it
6. Acting out scenes and dialog
7. Giving characters flaws of friends

Funny, right? But on a more serious note: the worst thing writers can't help doing is doubting ourselves. I've been doubting myself lately after a few bad experiences have piled up, and sometimes, it's hard to find the courage to keep going with it. But the stories still persist. And having you guys to talk to, I can fill my cup back up and write on.

Thanks!

What about you? Anything you can't help doing?

And now for the SHOUT OUT of the Week:

Christine Rains!

Christine is a wonderful friend, full of good advice and encouragement, and she writes some awesome speculative fiction. I'm so lucky to have her as one of my critique partners! If you haven't tried her 13th Floor series or the Totem series, or Of Blood and Sorrow with sequel coming soon, you haven't experienced some super-super-natural worlds. I highly recommend all of Christine's works. She's fabulous writer who brings paranormal, folklore, and legends to life with superb dramatic, romantic twists!

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. Married to her best friend and fellow geek, her family lives in Indiana with a son who is too smart for his parents' own good and loves to pretend he has a portal gun. Christine has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. She loves going on adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel.

Visit her: Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

And the winners of my Beastly Fun Summer Giveaway are below - Thanks for playing!

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