I’m hard at work at Pennies #2 (still untitled, and still going painfully slow). I’ve heard this term before, but now that I’m living it these days, it’s a whole, new kind of awful.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far…
Second Book Syndrome is real.
I couldn’t find an official definition, so here’s mine:
Second Book Syndrome – the fear of not writing another book as good as the first.
This happens with both series and stand-alones, but the challenge lies with the author’s expectations. With the first book, there’s no deadline or pressure. The world doesn’t care if you’re writing, or not, but now you feel pressure to please the reader, to crank out another book at lightning speed, and do it all perfectly. Nothing is good enough. It’s paralyzing sometimes.
What My Brain Says
The blessing is people loved Pennies from Burger Heaven. I’ve sold hundreds of books (I’m not trying to be vague. I honestly couldn’t figure out the exact number), but I have 194 Amazon reviews. My hard work paid off! The curse is now I feel like a one-hit wonder, like I’m not talented enough to make the next part of Copper Daniels’ journey as compelling as before.
Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m lucky that Pennies is so successful. If it had nothing but one-star reviews, I’d be crying in my Oreos that I’m a loser who can’t write.
Now, I’m merely a loser who’ll never write anything decent again.
What My Critique Group Says
I am in the best critique group ever – four, amazing women who sit with me in a coffee shop every Wednesday night (three are multi-published), and we read our current works-in-progress aloud to each another. They make me laugh, renew my spirit and help me become a better writer. We’ve been together for years. They would tell me if #2 sucked and would save me from myself.
However, that’s not what they’re saying. They really like it. They think I’m taking Copper Daniels’ story to the next level, but keeping all her sass and spunk.
What Helped Recently (Sorta)
Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of the mega-hits Eat Pray Love and Big Magic. She also has a podcast called Magic Lessons. In Episode #207: Living the Dream and Facing the Nightmare, Liz is helping a former attorney turned writer, who published a successful debut novel, but keeps abandoning ideas for her second book. She’s completely stuck.
One of the things I love about this podcast is how Liz also seeks advice from others famous artists, rather than just doling out her own. This time, she speaks to the amazing Neil Gaiman (author of The Sandman, The Graveyard Book, Coraline). Thanks to these two, the woman realized fear and perfectionism were stopping her.
Gaiman said something I loved, “Nobody has a particularly accurate point of view on what they’re making when they’re making it.”
Preach to me, Neil. Preach!
So, I’m choosing to ignore to the nasty voices in my head and to keep writing (even though I’m still skeeered). This definitely is a process. I’m not miraculously better. It goes something like this:
Nice Me: You should be kinder to yourself. You’re doing the best you can.
Mean Me: Shut the hell up.
Pushing Past Fear
Here are my insights so far:
* It took me six years to write Pennies. I believe I can write #2 faster, but I need to be more patient. It takes as long as it takes.
* I’m on page 220 of the first draft. I’m still learning this story. Patience!
* This paralyzing fear is normal. Write anyway.
* Keep taking one to two chapters to critique each week (7 – 20 pages).
* As much as my current state hurts, not writing feels even worse.
* My ace is the hole is my former literary agent will critique #2 when it’s done. I’m paying her this time, but it’s worth it because she’s like my security blanket.
Sigh, and so it goes. Pennies #2 will be released in 2017. Hopefully, my sanity will still be intact.
How do you move beyond fear in YOUR life? It doesn’t have to be writing-related.
Please leave a comment.
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Marcy- I move beyond fear by praying and staying true to myself. That’s probably what you’re doing too, but just stay the course. You know how much I loved Pennies From Burger Heaven, it was phenomenal beyond comparison. You just keep writing # 2, I promise it will be another bestseller you will hit 194+ reviews, plus just keep your faith you have a marvelous story to tell. I can’t wait to read on into Copper’s life.
Keep the faith…that’s what I needed to hear, Tonya. Just because we’re doing something we feel called to do – does not mean it’s easy or fun, so we must keep pushing forward. Thank you so much for your words. They’ve really helped me.
I’m glad my words helped. I hope others who have not yet read this book, PENNIES FROM BURGER HEAVEN, gets it and reads it. I read it back in February and it still is in my heart. A very moving, emotional, & inspiring book.
Thank you, Tonya. You’re a sweetheart.
Marcy, you helped me by giving me the tools to identify my fears, and I know you will work through yours, too. It’s a leap of faith for me, trusting in the Powers That Be (Mother Nature, the Lord, your own belief) that it’s all part of our unique journey in this world. Life, it’s a pip, ain’t it? Sometimes the best way is to just put your head down and soldier through a fear. You’ve done it before, you can do it again!
What a lovely thing to say, Sarah. I’m so glad I’ve helped you, and am seeing that I need to extend a heaping helping dose of grace to myself. I need to focus more on what I’m doing RIGHT (writing every day, taking chapters to critique every week), rather than what I’m doing wrong (feeling like I suck).
It sounds like I should journal massively about this. I’ve feel better already! Thank you!
Marcy, I’m so proud of you! I’m about to face my own similar fear, although I’m yet to start book 2. It might sound strange, but right now I have a clearer idea of book 3. I could run with that for the upcoming NaNoWrMo, but there’s only so much that can be done without knowing more about book 2 lol. Eek…
Thanks, Em. I just finished page 227. It’s tortuous, but I’m not letting fear stop me (even though it’s driving me mad).
Isn’t that interesting you have more clarity about #3? Good luck with #2!
Thank YOU! I know some of what’s needed for book 2, and knowing what will happen in book 3 means I should perhaps have it easier. But right now it doesn’t feel that way. Jumping to something I know more of the structure is one way I deal with writer’s block, but jumping an entire book is a bit extreme, even for me lol
Yep, it’s pretty scary any way you slice it. For me, the only way to keep the fear at bay is to WRITE. The longer I put it off, the fear GROWS. Good luck to us both!
Thanks for your comments. Your support means the world to me.
Marcy, you have what it takes within you to write book #2 and many more. The story is embraced in your heart waiting to be put to paper. Allow your confidence to shine! You go girl! Remember that love casts out fear. You have the love of God and many friends and family to see you through. Love you my friend!
Thank you so much, Kathy. I do sometimes feel like an archaeologist, whose job is uncovering the story bury inside me, so your analogy speaks to my heart. Thank you. I’ve decided I feel more “me” when I write, so I will continue working on #2.
Thank for loving me. i thought of you just the other day, and hope you’re well!
Thank YOU, Marcy. You and your support mean more to me than you’ll ever know. Whatever happens, I know I’ll work my ass off for NaNo, as I did last year and I’ll hopefully go into it with a clear idea of where I’m going LOL. Good luck, sweetie <3
That’s AWESOME you’re able to accomplish so much during NaNo. I KNOW you can accomplish great things. I need to work on having that same amount of faith in myself. xo – m3
Glad to hear you’re so far along with book two. Wonderful! Keep at it. You’ve done it once, you can do it again. Looking forward to book launch ?
I’m still writing…. editing and dreaming of publishing. You, Marcy, and others who have already gotten past one publication are an inspiration to the rest of us.
Thanks
Thank you for the sweet message, Anne. I’m glad I’ve inspired you, and am doing my best to get my ego out of the way to get Pennies #2 published in 2017. I appreciate you believing in me!
My first novel was a dud. I gave away more books than I sold. While I wrote the first one, I worked on my second novel. It still took at least 6 months to finish up and send to Cindy for editing. Cindy took only 3-4 months with #1, but she hasn’t had as much time to work on my second one. Currently, I’m editing a novel I wrote back in my 20’s and changing it to the Christian series. I’ve been at it for over a year and don’t have half of it done. Why? At first, I thought my brain was tired from writing so much. Then I thought maybe I didn’t want to be a writer anymore. Now, i simply have no idea. I’ve written articles for my local magazine, but had plenty of time to write in-between. So, while my second book was not a problem, my third one certainly is!
I enjoyed your Pennies from Burger Heaven and am looking forward to book 2. I keep plugging along with my book and that’s the only advice I can suggest.
Keep plugging away is what I’m doing. It’s not going nearly as fast I’d like it to, but I’m trusting my critique group when they tell me it’s a great story.
Good luck with your writing. Keep at it. Thanks for telling me you enjoyed Pennies. That really keeps me going on #2!