IWSG Post… :(

Hi guys. Sorry I'm late posting today, but I've definitely been feeling a bit sorry for myself. It's really stupid and silly, but I've been very insecure.

First and foremost, I finally took my driving test today to get my license aaaaand…I failed.

Literally, I failed both parts of it.

I know it has nothing to do with writing at all, but I've been pretty upset about it since I took the test. Luckily, Ohio law says that I can take it again one week from today, which I'll be doing. So yes.

Anyway, it isn't just the driving stuff that's been making me feel insecure.

My wonderful, amazing editor, Nicole Zoltack is looking at The Inferiors right now. I've already started the publishing process on CreateSpace and they're in the process of creating my book cover, and that's freaking me out just a little bit too.

They created my cover for From the Ashes which turned out really great…

But I've just been incredibly anxious because I'm supposed to get it any day now. I've found myself refreshing my email over and over again like a crazy-clingy obsessive girlfriend (I sort of am though, ask my boyfriend haha).

So yes.

I want the cover to look really good but also have similar features to From the Ashes so that it ties in to the series. And I'm also nervous about getting my final draft done, once my editor sends my manuscript back to me. Oh lordy.

Anyway, that's what I'm insecure about this month.

How about you guys?

Visit other IWSG posts here. Thank you Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this!

–Jess

Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!

Today is the first Wednesday of the month, meaning that it's time for Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. The purpose is to share insecurities, and encourage other writers who are insecure. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. This is a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

So what am I insecure about this month?

Well, I'm really close to finishing my second novel. It's almost completely edited, I have about 70 pages to go before I'm ready to send it off to my editor.

This novel is the sequel to From the Ashes. It's called The Inferiors. What I'm most worried about is the fact that my writing has changed so much since I published From the Ashes. It's like I'm a completely different writer now, and I don't want to disappoint my readers. What if they don't like the new twists my story takes?

It's changed a lot from the first draft, and of course, I want it to be perfect.

Of course, I'm a realist so I know The Inferiors can't ever be perfect, because there is no such thing! (Unless you're talking about someone you love.)

In the end, the thing I'm really insecure about this month is: how will people react to The Inferiors when it's published?

What are you insecure about this month?

Thanks for visiting today!

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

–Jess

IWSG – I'm Trying

Today is the first Wednesday of the month, meaning today is the Insecure Writer's Support Group day! I have not participated in this in years so I'll try and make sure this post doesn't turn into a novel.

I'm actually a very confident person. I don't always show it, and sometimes my "being humble" can come off as insecurity. I used to be insecure about my looks and that sort of thing, but I think that's normal when you're in your younger teenage years.

At the age of 19, I love myself very much. I'm not being self-centered, or trying to brag, that's just the honest truth. I know I'm not perfect, but I love how I look and who I am. And anyone who doesn't like me for who I am can get out of my life. (There's actually a hell of a lot I had to go through to get to this point, but I feel like that's not really relevant to this particular post.)

Despite all my confidence in myself, that has not yet translated over to my writing. Let me say, I'm not a 'timid' writer. I let all my words come straight from my heart or my soul or wherever words might come from. But when I'm getting ready for publication, my whole story seems to turn into a huge mess. I find myself thinking, "What the hell is this? Who turned my beautiful story into this crazy nonsensical disorder?"

As of yet, I have not found a solution, so…I mean I was going to try and make this post a bit hopeful, but I guess this part isn't haha. Not yet anyway.

The second part of this post is that I'm also a bit insecure about getting back into blogging. It's been so great being able to post here again, and see what everyone has been up to, but as I've mentioned in the past couple posts I wonder if I'm just shouting out into the darkness. Is anyone listening?

What are you insecure about this month?

–Jess

IWSG: I'm Still Here, Reviews, and Doctor Who?

Yes, everyone, I am still here, and hopefully I will be "here" much more often!

I hope the A to Z challenge went wonderfully, and I felt bad that I didn't participate, but ohmygosh did I have tons of stuff to get done. I can't say I have time to be blogging right now, but eh…I'm making the time for it.

So today is IWSG post day!

Right now, I'm really insecure about From the Ashes. I know, I know, I can't control the sales or anything. But when it slows down, it makes me nervous.

The good thing is, all of the reviews I've gotten so far have been really encouraging, and it makes me want to hurry up and get on with the sequel, The Inferiors.

I mean look! It makes me so excited looking at my Amazon page and seeing THIS:

(By the way, if you can't see it tell me because if you can't, then I can see why you may think I'm going crazy. Just click the link if it doesn't show up.)

I mean, a few people here and there have said that it's a little bit too much like The Hunger Games, and I try to pretend like it doesn't bother me. But hey, even the people who have said that still liked the story.

Anyway, yeah, that's all for today, and I think I'm back into blogging again :)

Happy May 1st!

–Jess

P.S.

I've gotten overly obsessed with Doctor Who lately. Hadn't watched the show before a few months ago, and my god, I'm hooked like a fish. Only on Series 3 though.

Do any of you watch Doctor Who?

Almost Over…

Okay.

I'll fully admit that I'm pretty nervous.

I should be getting my final proof back by February 4th.

After that, all I have to do, is press "publish."

I'm not sure how long it takes to go from pressing "publish" to it actually being published. And I'm not really sure how setting up a release date goes, but by the stars, I'm really nervous.

I assumed that a decent amount of people would buy it. Like some of you guys, and some of my friends from the ice rink…but I hadn't really expected people I used to know from public school to get it. Or people I knew a long time ago.

People keep asking me when it's coming out, and suddenly I'm really scared of what people might think.

Yes, I wrote the story I wanted to write.

It's exactly what I wanted it to be.

But what if people don't like it for what it is?

Anyway, that's just what I've been worrying about lately. How are you guys?

Happy Wednesday!

--Jess