Comments on: Your Books Are Not Your Babies https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/ Sun, 05 May 2019 03:29:47 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 By: Dede Montgomery https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49825 Sun, 05 May 2019 03:29:47 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49825 Hi Jennifer, Thanks for sharing this. I just released my second book, a novel (see to the right BEYOND THE RIPPLES) and have been thinking about this quite a bit. I think it was helpful that when my memoir was released, I moved from that feeling of “it was my baby” to recognizing it to be such a niche read, and not for everyone. In the process (and while most everything I heard was positive, I did get an email telling me I didn’t know how to write a complete sentence) and it made me step back and realize the most important two things: 1) I certainly don’t like everything I read, even things that are highly rated by others, and 2) I like what I write! It was quite freeing, and I think – finally – at 57 years old, I am a little less concerned about what everyone else thinks. That’s not to say that I don’t want to get positive reviews or want to sell books – and I’m thankful I have a day job I like – but it has been important and freeing.

]]> By: Jennifer S. Alderson https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49807 Tue, 16 Apr 2019 14:58:21 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49807 In reply to Emily.

Man, that is harsh! I’m glad you were able to find a home for your later work.

]]> By: Emily https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49802 Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:06:39 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49802 My first novel, I wrote my baby. My soul baby. Story that had been gestating in my mind in one form or another for a couple of decades. Sent out more queries than I care to admit. Got a decent amount of full requests, but no dice.

Second novel, decided I wasn’t writing for me. I was writing for an audience. Every single chapter had to have something for THEM. Queried about 10 agents, had multiple offers of rep, and signed.

I loved writing my baby, but as you said, no one loves your baby as much as you. And in my case, no one really did love my baby.

]]> By: Jennifer S. Alderson https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49796 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 05:12:08 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49796 In reply to Pamela Allegretto.

I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading, Pamela.

]]> By: Pamela Allegretto https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49792 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 17:39:33 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49792 Excellent words of wisdom!

]]> By: Jennifer S. Alderson https://booksbywomen.org/your-books-are-not-your-babies-and-why-thinking-they-are-can-hurt-your-chances-of-success/#comment-49791 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:33:09 +0000 http://booksbywomen.org/?p=26389#comment-49791 Thank you for sharing my article with your readers! I really appreciate it.

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