So you’ve started on that book, but you’re struggling to find the motivation to finish. Or you’ve finally completed your manuscript, but you’re terrified of what people might think. Last time, we discussed 5 lies that are holding aspiring authors back from achieving their dream.
Here are 5 more lies aspiring authors tell themselves:
1. People will hate my book
The hard truth is not everyone is going to love your book. Some will think it’s so-so, others won’t think it’s their cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean your book is no good. We live in a great, big world, full of all types of personalities and temperaments. Sometimes readers are in a bad mood, sometimes a reader has just finished another title that left a bad taste in their mouth—and their extra picky when they check out yours. Don’t let this stop you. For every 5 readers who pass on your book, there are 10 more whose lives will be changed.
2. My book is too unconventional
There’s nothing wrong with being different. So your characters are eccentric. So your plot has a crazy twist that throws most of your readers. Isn’t this how some of our favorite unicorn works (The Color Purple, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, etc.) were created? If your unique story is told well, readers will flock to it. So embrace your story’s weirdness!
3. My book is too cliché
Just as there’s nothing wrong with your story being different, there’s nothing wrong with telling a familiar story in a unique way. The main key is to keep your reader on their toes. Many say that Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games opens with one of the most cliché scenes: Waking up in the morning. But what makes this scene unique is the type of day Katniss is preparing for. It isn’t the typical day for the average reader, so—knowing the synopsis—many of us stayed with Collins through the opening and were happily rewarded. If you still fear that your story is too cliché, run it past some beta readers and/or critique partners and ask which parts came across as predictable to them. Then simply revise.
4. My book isn’t ready yet
The characters aren’t well developed. The plot has holes. The ending isn’t quite developed. When you’re too close to your project, it can be difficult to see the forest for the trees. This can be an excellent form of procrastination when you’re terrified of querying agents or dragging your feet on starting that next book. Give yourself a break and pass the manuscript along to a few trusted beta readers and/or critique partners to get a second opinion. You might just be surprised at how many “issues” they don’t see.
5. My book needs more characters/plot twists/etc
Feeling your book doesn’t have “enough” of something is another great way to procrastinate on the next step of your publishing journey. It’s like an arborist continually pruning a topiary shrub; a sculptor chiseling and chiseling away at a statue that was complete days ago. More often than not, the simplest solutions will make for a more dynamic reading experience—especially when the writing shines. Give yourself some grace and trust that the story works well enough to be shown to others. Like always, get feedback from voracious readers and experienced writers, then revise accordingly. And if you’re taking the traditional route, trust that your agent and publisher will know just what it takes to balance out your story elements perfectly.
Conclusion
Bonus tip: When these little lies pop up in your mind, jot them down. Then follow the lie with a confident truth to remind you of your capabilities. Whenever those lies return, check out the truth beside it. Pretty soon, it’ll be easy to catch those lies sneaking up and bat them away. If you’re still struggling with believing in yourself, we’ve got 5 more lies aspiring authors believe. Check it out here!