Is writing that second book like the song says? “Lovelier the second time around. Just as wonderful with both feet on the ground.”
My answer is no, nope, nada. None of the above.
With the first book, I felt like Mad Max in Beyond Thunderdome, not knowing what obstacles I’d face until they were there, me fighting to mow them down and keep moving with one major goal, publication. I’d been so forewarned about rejections and criticisms that no matter how many hundreds of them I received, they only fueled me to keep churning toward my most important goal.
I’m no longer scything through underbrush seeking to become a published novelist. I’m already there with a publisher by my side. Yet, this second-time-around experience is more intimidating because others are counting on me to produce a book that is at least as good as my first and hopefully better. This scares me. Almost everyone I talk to about writing and books, asks me the same question: “When is your second book coming out?”
Time flies by and still no number two. This time I recognize when my writing is bad and this time it’s downright mortifying because I should be better just like everyone else seems to assume, presume, or expect. The second-time-around pressure is tremendous in a different way because there is something very tragic-sounding in the words, a one-book author.
I celebrated the first, but I will celebrate big-time when I have number two .http://www.lindathorne.com
No worries, Linda. Many people want to write books, very few do. And those who do, even fewer get published. You're way a head of the game.
ReplyDeleteThe 2nd, 3rd and 4th got progressively easier for me to write. Then again, I self-publish, so I have the time to get it right. Each new book that I write takes the lessons learned from the previous and builds something completely different and markedly improved.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I think you'll do just fine, Linda. I know you're going to produce a fabulous second book! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteMy 19th book is going to be published in July. My advice: don't worry about when, just think about what you'd like to write. Let the characters take shape and live in your mind for a while before you try to write about them. I suggest when you feel ready, do a rough outline. Just relax and let the ideas flow naturally.
You're already way ahead of the game, Linda. You know what the challenges are, but you also know the results of doing your best and sticking to it. Good luck, and I hope to see news of your second book right here on Novel Spaces.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all for your upbeat comments. They're encouragement to spend my weekend writing. I use my more than full-time job as an excuse far too often. By the way, I can't imagine putting out 19 books.
ReplyDeleteEvery book is its own adventure, has its own audience and its own days in the sun. Concentrate on the story you are telling, and let those worries float away.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Saralyn. More good advice. I'm going to bed right now and this is something else positive to sleep on.
ReplyDeleteThough for a fraudulent purpose and with different sentiments, the song "We can do it!" from the comic movie "The Producers" can still make you laugh and stir up your courage to proceed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkr7wgnCy9o Besides, you have author friends standing by to spur you on by offering to proof or preview your yearling manuscript once it takes shape. Although second human babies are notably less painful and often come so fast, there's barely time to get to the hospital, the analogy breaks with second books. Even so, you know I'm there to help birth this second challenger whether it bursts forth or produces hard labor. :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkr7wgnCy9o
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth.
ReplyDeleteJust keep saying, I know I can. I know I can. I will do it. Just do it." And you will. I know you will. I'm cheering you on whether you hear it or not. You go, girl! And I'll be waiting to read it, too.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
S.J Francis
Thank you, S.J. I do think I'll eventually get it done and published, but I think it's going to be a lot longer than I planned.
ReplyDeleteOMG. The second book was the BOOK FROM HELL. No longer was I alone in my universe with my characters and the great publishing unknown ahead of me; I now had to turn out an option book for my publisher and yes, it had to be not as good as, but better than the first. Plus, with the first book I'd let the world in, and there was no pushing it out again. Everyone was sitting on my shoulder as I wrote: my readers, reviewers, my agent, editor, publisher, friends and family. I finished the book -- and then the real nightmare began. My publisher went out of business, the second book was caught up in the legal meltdown, and when I finally got it clear of the mess I published it myself with little fanfare.
ReplyDeleteThat pressure was too much. I began to publish under other pen names that I keep private and those books aren't doing badly at all. They have made a difference to my budget. I still shudder when I think of that second book period.
Oh! Interval between publication of first book and second? Six years.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liane. I see you went through similar feelings and obstacles. This helps because it took you six years and not you are going-strong, so that gives me hope.
ReplyDelete