But the biggest one is the fear.
A debut is one thing. No one quite knows what the book is yet. There are a lot of unknowns with the debut that are now known with the second book.
It creates quite the funnel of fear. I haven't been my normal transparent self on the blog as of late, and a lot of that has to do with the promotional things with SURRENDER. But some of that has to do with other things, most of which you'll get to read about next week.
But one of those is fear. Somehow this book feels more pivotal than the first. It carries more weight. I don't know if it's because I really love this book as much as the first, or because the second book determines whether there'll be a third, or if somehow I'm different, or what.
All I know is I'm thrilled for Tuesday to finally come. I think SURRENDER is a fabulous sophomore book.
I'm also terrified of Tuesday. For reasons I can't quite grasp. Every time I try, they swim away and morph into new fears. Who knew days of the week could hold so much power over a person?!
Have you ever been scared of something and didn't quite know why?
ETA: And then I had crit group last night. Everyone should have a crit group. And you should serve Dove chocolates at them. So we always share things at our group before we actually start shredding.
And here're my Dove words of wisdom.
 |
| Oh my heck! That says BE FEARLESS. Oh, Dove, if only it were so easy. |
48 comments:
Yay! Launching a book is exciting and I can't wait to hop around your tour spots.
I can only imagine what a scary position it is to have a second book. For the first, you don't know what to expect. Now I bet you know exactly what to worry about--what went well and what didn't the last time.
Good luck, Elana. You're hard working and talented and sincere. It will pay off.
Heck - I'm terrified to send out queries - if I ever get to experience these fears, they might snow me completely under! :)
Having read Surrender, I can tell you and everyone else it's completely awesome!!! In fact, I'm doing just that on my blog today... :)
I pre-ordered Surrender. I hope that helps. :)
Yikes. I wonder if an author ever gets over the fear? I don't think they do, no matter how many books they publish.
Take a deep breath, hold on and try to enjoy the ride. Good luck!
I'm like Jemi, afraid to query. Not quite ready to yet but I'll have to plunge at some point.
It's too bad there's so much pressure. You should be able to just enjoy the release. Your book is SO awesome. One of the best second books I've read. I love Raine & Gunner. So I'm hoping you have a really good release.
I wish you the best of luck with your new book!
We try to drown our fear, then realize it can swim.
I wish you all the best on Tuesday. It's be a great day. Just wait and see!
I didn't realize until now just how scary Tuesday is. Now I understand why DVD and book releases are on Tuesday and not Monday. Monday's already sucks. Why not wreck different day of the week before things get better???
I'll be thinking about you next week, Elana. *goes off to search for pom poms*
Yeah, I can imagine the fear, but it's a good kind of fear, right? Better than the fear of never getting published, which you've already transcended, which means you can do ANYTHING! I also like the idea of serving chocolate at critique groups. I'm totally going to recommend that at mine! Good luck. Have an absotively, posoultely fantastic week! :D
That is one awesome Dove bar!
I think the terror of the sequel is inherent - there's no escaping it, just living through it. And you'll do great! Can't wait to celebrate with you next Tuesday! :)
You'll be fine!
I went through the same fear with my second book. So much pressure for it to be better, to show that I'd improved as a writer.
I won't even discuss what I'm feeling writing the third.
You CAN be fearless when you let Surrender do the work for you now. You're going to have naysayers and I would say to that read the negative comments once, use them if they make sense-- then file 13 (in your mind. No one gains from living with the negative. Focus more on the affirming reviews and the fact that you have completed this book. Yay!!!!
Go Elana Go.
Teresa
I felt this kind of fear before my agent phone call, which was crazy because she'd already offered me representation via email. Why was I still a nervous wreck? I couldn't figure it out either. But about five seconds into the conversation, I was completely fine. On Tuesday, after it all starts and the anticipation is gone, you will be too. See you at the launch party!
There's a lot of fear when it comes to the writing business. There's fear when we're writing a WIP that it won't be good... when we're querying that we won't be able to find anyone... when we're on submissions, that no one will buy it... and finally when the book's actually out there. But you overcame all those hurdles and I'm sure you'll do the same with this one. Enjoy the ride and congrats again!!!
It's going to be great. I've got my pre-ordered copy coming so Tuesday is going to be all kinds of awesome. Enjoy the moment, you deserve it. And I'll see you at the launch with Katie!
You did a pretty good job being transparent here today; no one likes to admit they're full of fear. My best to you next week and in the following days.
Thanks for sharing, Elana. It seems that no matter what stage you're at in your writing career there will be scary, unknown things ahead. For me that huge fear (around this time last year) was knowing that LUMINANCE HOUR was going to the acquisitions board! But I think the Dove chocolate gives good advice.
Hang in there my friend! There is no need to fear. You are amazing and have done your best and now the outcome is in someone else's hands. Enjoy the journey and I am sure great things will come. I believe in you and am excited to see the great things ahead for you and your family! Hugs to you!
*giant hugs*
It'll go great. Tuesday will be a day to relish and remember. No fear!
You are going to do great, Elana. You have so much dedication and talent and love for books and this business - and I really think that carries us through all the fears and worry. I just wish I could celebrate in person with you! Break a leg, my dear! Err, or make that a pencil! ;-)
Dove knows what it's talking about. ;) You'll do great!
You have a huge team rooting for you, and we'll be spreading the word next week and beyond. Thanks for all you do, and best of luck!
I ain't skairt!
Of course not you idiot, that's not your book being judged.
But the reason I'm not skairt is that I know what Elana's capable of and that will simply play out on Tuesday (and beyond). Enjoy the ride!
Listen to the chocolate. Your book launch will be awesome because the book will be awesome. I'm excited for it (as is probably pretty much anyone who has read Possession).
What an awesome twist! I wish I had a group of writers I met up with in real life. Maybe I need to move to Utah.
You're not the first author I've heard who has this second book angst. Who knew, when we started this journey, how dang hard it was going to be ONCE YOUR WERE PUBLISHED?
*hugs*
I could only imagine the fear you're experiencing. As one not on the published side of the fence, I would see and understand the fear as the "will they still love it and/or me" kind of thing happening. The first one, you get to be the new author, debut, ta da. Now that you're here, well, you want even more for the book to be a success with the readers loyal to you but also for new readers to want to read it as well.
Dove got it right. Be Fearless. It takes a little more than chocolate to do it. Maybe add some bacon. But you won't be alone. Many of us will be there via blogs, Twitter and Facebook to cheer your onward.
Congratulations! No wonder you're fearful. Are you nervous? Sometimes, I have nerves of steel, only to realize I'm completely freaked out. LOL :D
I got that way when I first heard from a publisher...
Good luck with this release.
I'm so excited for you! It is going to be marvelous! All I need is a paycheck to buy mine.
I just pre-ordered it in Canada! Can't wait to read it!
SOOO exciting!!!! SURRENDER is gonna do great!!
Haha on the Dove inspiration! Love it!
I can understand that type of fear but I think YOU should have nothing to fear because you are going to have a great Tuesday and so is your book! I can't wait to read it just like so many others can't wait to read it!
I remember reading an interview with a multi-award winning Broadway actress who was asked if she still got stage fright before a show. She said, "Every f*cking time."
Pre-launch day fear is just stage fright. It's going to be great.
In the meantime, eat more Dove.
Elana, everything will be great. BE FEARLESS!
Dove chocolate gives you super powers - you can totally be fearless! I am so excited for the 2nd book! It's been killing me to wait for it. In fact, I try hard not to focus on the release date because I get to antsy. But it's ALMOST HERE! *squee!* No holding back any more! It's going to be fab Elana, so just be your awesome self and enjoy :D
Don't be scared! Now is the time to trust your support system (a.k.a. the blogosphere). :) You've got this!
oh how exciting--listen to the dove chocolate--it's one of the best!!
I totally get how you can be terrified of the very thing you've wanted for so long.
You wonder if the readers will like it/love it/hate it. If they will be surprised/bored/moved to tears. If they will be unable to put it down -- or put it down and never pick it up again. You wonder if people will stop in their tracks in the store at the sight of the cover. Or if it will get buried under a giant stack of Hunger Games books.
Ha, ha. I've spent some time on this, you can see.
How timely the title of your second book is for this time in your life. Surrender. Surrender to the fear.
Surrender is an awesome book and I all see so far are readers raving about it! And I'm one of those readers! Surrender is terrific and readers will love Raine and Gunner!
Ahhh, so awesome you received THAT exact Dove chocolate!!
Looking forward to your blog tour AND of course, book!!
I knew chocolate was wise and wonderful as well as tasty! And I always bow to the almighty chocolate!
Be Fearless and Brave lovely Elana!!!Onwards and upwards for you!
Take care
x
E, you are one of the most fearless writers I know. And Surrender is SO AWESOME, I think it will do better than anyone thinks. Seriously.
Now go forth and fight!
*pumps fist*
NEVER SURRENDER!!!
Elana, while I'm not quite in your position, I do think I know how you feel. I'm terrified for the release of my book, yet I'm really looking forward to it, too. The conflicting emotions can do a number on you. But keep in mind that you have a great following. People love your books. They'll love Surrender too. :)
Ah Elana. ((hugs and loves))
I was terrified just before my 2nd novel came out. What if the first one was a fluke? What if I fooled em, but now the joke was on me? Then my protagonist, a strong, no-nonsense woman, sat me down and told me straight up, "Don't worry. My story is worth reading."
And she was right. And the reviews were great. And now that #3 is getting its editorial kick-start, I'm back feeling terrified. Haha.
Enjoy the ride, Elana. It's fun and scary.
Chocolates never lie. I believe anytime we are putting ourselves out there artistically it's scary. After all we put our hearts into our art.
*hugs*
*more hugs*
*ALL THE HUGS*
It's going to be awesome. YOU are awesome. And I'm so excited to be a part of it!
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