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Being an author can be so rewarding and amazing...sometimes.
The Bad:
- Imposter syndrome
- Feeling like a failure because you don't have a "real" job.
- People saying they're going to read your work or buy your book and then don't.
- Seeing other authors not care about their own work. I know this may sound weird but I have seen a lot of authors who dump loads of money into advertising and book covers. Then when you actually read their work it's awful. And when you look at their reviews they have one 5 star review from their moms (I have seen some pretty cringy and embarrassing reviews by parents on other people's work). isk why this bothers me so much.
- Giving autographs. I never know what to say or do. Do I write a little note like "follow your dreams" or just To: *name* and then my signature? Or just my signature? And if you don't have a pen on you and they hand you a sharpie and it bleeds through the page. I had that happen and it was so embarrassing. So never sign a book with a sharpie. Also actually trying to have a good signature is hard. It can't be too giant or too small. I know I probably way over think this.
- Pictures with fans. If you take a bad picture it's beyond embarrassing.
- Writing
- Publishing
- Book signings when I'm sitting there I'm getting tight lipped, awkward smiles from passer-bys who are trying to avoid eye contact.
The Good:
- Seeing people get excited and passionate about your work. This is hands down the most beautiful and amazing feeling in the world.
- Getting good reviews.
- Watching your characters come to life through other people's eyes.
- Meeting fans.
- Writing
- Getting to see pictures of your characters. When I got my first book cover done I cried so much getting to see my characters. It's not a feeling I can describe but it was amazing.
- Getting to hold an actual copy of your book in print.
- Book signings when people come up and talk to you.
- sometimes I get a weird power trip when I see people have an emotional reaction to my book. It's like "haha your soul is mine! I'm going to play with your emotions now!"
I'm in a weird place. I'm not famous but I'm to a place where I have had a few meet and greets and have had to sign some books and take a few pictures. It's weird going from someone borderline fangirling over the person you present yourself as on social media to just you; the person who's imperfect, has panic attacks, plays too much Sims and Stardew Valley. It's a rough transition.
When someone fangirls over you, you feel like a god and you get a glimpse of how they see you. But almost none of it is true. So there are a lot of complicated feelings.
I've had a lot of people tell me my work will get big. I hope it does. The thought excites and terrifies me. We'll have to wait and see. :-)
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Lord Byron Silverhand
I wish I could give you more than 2 kudos!
Aw! Thank you!
by RIP; ; Report