The Shy Writer in You

http://chopeclark.com/shy-writer-reborn/

YOU NEED TO WRITE. You’ve penciled stories since you were nine. Or you’ve reached a stage in your life where that book screams to come out. Writing has gestated inside of you for far too long. But the fear of what’s before you is scary.

             

You’ve sweated over that story for ages, but you still aren’t sure it’s good enough. You’re not keen on criticism and rejection. What if you’ve struggled over your writing for naught?

             

Or you feel great about your writing, but lose sleep over pitching, querying, and especially, developing a platform. Such a learning curve! Pinterest, Facebook, blogs, and who cares about Twitter?

             

You are a shy writer . . . I know what you're thinking.

Can’t you just write? Aren’t there people out there willing to do all this promotional gymnastics for you? And nope, you draw the line at standing before a crowd.

             

Maybe writing isn’t worth all this trouble. People expect you to be a used-car salesman, and you did not bargain for this. What’s the point of writing if you don’t know how to sell the end result without sacrificing your integrity, your soul?

             

You have a fear of some aspects of our profession, and it’s probably holding you back. You do not know how to act, perform, or sell because so many of these actions are not normal for you . . . the introverted writer.

Introversion may seem like a major obstacle to building a successful writing career, but this wonderful “covers-all-the-bases” book handily debunks the notion. Highly recommended.
~Peter Bowerman, Author “The Well-Fed Writer” series, www.wellfedwriter.com

             

You do not enjoy being extroverted. I don't either. That's why I wrote The Shy Writer Reborn. It's not a drama manual or a mental adjustment how-to that makes you something you are not. This is a book to help you deal with the world of writing in your own fashion. It’s a book to show you that it’s natural to feel like you do . . . to show you there are others feeling the same.

             

You do not have to speak at conferences. You do not have to be embarrassed at a signing. You do not have to hold up your book and yell, “Great new mystery. Half off price for two days only.”

             

Or you might have a desire to do these things, but don’t feel comfortable in how to start. 

Hope has solutions in The Shy Writer Reborn that let you make the most of who you are instead of asking you to change your personality.
~Linda Formichelli, owner of The Renegade Writer Blog (http://www.therenegadewriter.com) and co-author of The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success

             

Your personality is your personality. You write because you love writing, and you equally enjoy the alone time required to do it right. You do not have to sacrifice yourself to fit someone else’s mold of a writer . . . or salesman. Challenge is good for growth, but agony is unhealthy. The comfort level is yours to define.

             

Remain loyal to yourself while maneuvering in the writing arena without so much of a social weight around your neck. Learn how to manage during times you need to make appearances you cannot avoid. Deal with agents and editors without biting your nails or sweating through your clothes. 

C. Hope Clark shares how to overcome that fear while navigating interviews, pitches, queries, and more. She even finishes the book with a great set of mantras! If you’re a shy writer, this is the book that will help you find and cultivate an audience for your writing.
-Robert Lee Brewer, Senior Content Editor, Writer’s Market

             

What I won't tell you is to get over being shy. You only hear that from people who aren’t shy. Well, you’re introverted, and that’s a good thing in so many ways. As one of you, I fought the fears as well. I still wrestle with self-esteem when asked to speak at a conference, when pitching an article, and when discussing edits on my latest novel.

                
It’s harder to pretend to be something you’re not. Enjoy being a writer . . . and enjoy being you. These days, being real is the most marketable commodity of all.