Confidence, Contests, and Links
I've been thinking a bit about confidence lately, and how often it surprises me when people whose skills, particularly in writing, I admire admit when they don't have it. I read a lot of blogs where people who I know are amazingly skilled (and are often successful) reveal how nervous they are about the reception their work will receive, and I think, "How in the world are you nervous? You're awesome!"
But I suspect we all go through those bouts of confidence, or lack thereof, in different places and times. I rethink conversations where I feel I've misstepped to the point of beating them to death. I'm rarely nervous about submitting my writing places -- but I'm always nervous the moment before I know they're going to be shown to the public. Sometimes I appreciate those releases that I almost miss, because I don't have any time to agonize. My piece is already out there, and it's too late to worry it now!
I very much admire my family who are performers, because there's no distance from the audience reaction. They're either with you, grooving on your tunes and crying with your tears, or they're not feeling it, and you're on stage alone (metaphorically). I don't mind introducing myself to people at conventions or even singing and dancing to sell books (been there, done that), but those are just marketing -- for my passion, I'll hide behind my paper and ink, thank you very much!
What about you, bloggers? When do the nerves hit you?
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I'm entering yet another context by using my blog. This one is for Cindy Pon's new book, Silver Phoenix, which looks amazing and has been rec'ed on several blogs I read. Here's the cover:
and book trailer:
How amazing does that look? It feels like the book I really wanted the wuxia novel Sword by Da Chen to be. (I loved the story behind Sword, but wished Da Chen had told it in the voice he used for the memoir introduction to the novel.)
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Last, via gailcarriger, I would want an iPhone if it looked like this:
created by steamfashion.
If you're not reading Gail's blog and you're interested in steampunk (or just Victorian fun), I highly recommend stopping by and checking her out. She's got a lot of fun stuff going on over there.
But I suspect we all go through those bouts of confidence, or lack thereof, in different places and times. I rethink conversations where I feel I've misstepped to the point of beating them to death. I'm rarely nervous about submitting my writing places -- but I'm always nervous the moment before I know they're going to be shown to the public. Sometimes I appreciate those releases that I almost miss, because I don't have any time to agonize. My piece is already out there, and it's too late to worry it now!
I very much admire my family who are performers, because there's no distance from the audience reaction. They're either with you, grooving on your tunes and crying with your tears, or they're not feeling it, and you're on stage alone (metaphorically). I don't mind introducing myself to people at conventions or even singing and dancing to sell books (been there, done that), but those are just marketing -- for my passion, I'll hide behind my paper and ink, thank you very much!
What about you, bloggers? When do the nerves hit you?
--
I'm entering yet another context by using my blog. This one is for Cindy Pon's new book, Silver Phoenix, which looks amazing and has been rec'ed on several blogs I read. Here's the cover:
and book trailer:
Click to viewHow amazing does that look? It feels like the book I really wanted the wuxia novel Sword by Da Chen to be. (I loved the story behind Sword, but wished Da Chen had told it in the voice he used for the memoir introduction to the novel.)
--
Last, via gailcarriger, I would want an iPhone if it looked like this:
created by steamfashion.
If you're not reading Gail's blog and you're interested in steampunk (or just Victorian fun), I highly recommend stopping by and checking her out. She's got a lot of fun stuff going on over there.