Wednesday, October 7, 2020

The Insecure Writer and Editing Your Manuscript

 


Today is October's contribution to Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group.

What makes me an insecure writer this month?

The fact that I'm so disorganized that I need to be reminded by my writer friends to submit my monthly IWSG post Thank you, Loni Townsend. 

Seriously,  my insecurities are fairly low this month. I'm halfway through my self-edits on my debut urban fantasy.  Since I know the second half of my manuscript is in better shape than the first, that means I'm well over halfway finished. Woo-hoo! My hope is to be able to hand it off to an editor before the year is over. 

My biggest insecurities at the moment come whenever I read other authors' stories, especially if I read them before editing my manuscript. I'm currently reading Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews and Fated by Benedict Jacka. Both authors have a way with words that are way behind my skillset. Those tears you see in my eyes when I read their stories aren't a result of their all-is-lost moments. They are tears of envy. 

Optional October question: When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?

I imagine someone sitting in front of their computer several hours a day, pounding out their next story with one hand while holding their favorite beverage in the other. Right now I feel like an aspiring writer, both because I haven't finished my story yet and because I waste too much time doing non-writing related things. I have this dream that once I publish my story, I'll feel like a real working writer, but we'll see.


Take care everyone, and stay safe! 

ChemistKen