Illuminate - PUBLISHED!
Welcome to October's Illuminate, a letter of encouragement to writers (and readers) on the craft of writing. Adding light to your creative day.
Imposter Syndrome
Hello friends, it’s been a long time since my last newsletter, and I apologize. Hoping to do better in the future.
The topic for this newsletter is “Imposter Syndrome or When to Take off the Mask.”
This is a year when I should feel ecstatic. The book I wrote, Angel Falls, with a person I love, David Surface, is being published by YAP Books and sold on Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Powell's Books websites! It's being premiered at Merrimack Valley Halloween Book Festival this Saturday and several writers we respect have written lovely things about it. And yet I’m anxious, worried I’m not doing enough to promote it, or not doing it right, and that the novel we created, edited and successfully sold to a small press is not good enough. That somehow someday soon, someone will discover their mistake, and all of it will be taken away or I’ll be laughed at. Not only am I finding it difficult to enjoy this process, but imposter syndrome is hamstringing my creativity.
Anybody out there know what I'm talking about? If so, here are some ideas on how to battle the idea you don’t belong here. You DO belong here. I promise.
First rule (per Douglas Adams) Don’t panic! If you're already panicking, try to stop and breathe. Breathe until your heart slows down a bit and your mind stops screaming and imagine you’re holding a book called “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” with those two words emblazoned on the cover.
Second rule: Bring on the gratitude. For me, I am grateful for my husband and writing partner. We are currently working on our second novel together and it’s so much fun! I am grateful to YAP Books for loving Angel Falls. I am grateful to all of you for signing up and reading this newsletter. And I am grateful to the world of writers and readers and story tellers. Without you, I would never have experienced all the lovely places and people and creatures you’ve shared.
It’s an honor to be in your company. We're in the right place.
NEWS
PUBLISHED: ANGEL FALLS is now available for preorder, and will be published and available for shipping as of 10/17/22. We are so very proud of our book baby. If you can't buy a copy, we'll be holding book giveaways soon. Follow me on Instagram for those dates and other news.
What if you had the power to bring back someone you lost? In Angel Falls, a wild and beautiful place with a strange history, Jessie and Jared discover a power they never knew they had. As Jessie struggles to save her parents’ marriage, and Jared tries to save his father from the depression that threatens to destroy him, they both discover that getting what they wish for can be more dangerous than they imagine. Together, Jessie and Jared learn to trust each other in order to save their families and uncover the strange secret of Angel Falls.
Angel Falls book trailer. Enjoy!
Writing Prompt
It's October, so naturally we should all write a scary story! My partner teaches scary story writing by having students list things they are afraid of. This is as good a place to start as I can think of. Go on. Write 5-10 things that scare you. Now run a finger down the list and find one you'd like to write about.
Keeping the scary place or thing in mind, create a character to tell the story and put them in a storytelling place. This can be the protagonist, or someone they run into.
Have the storyteller ramp up the fear by saying how frightening the place or thing is, how blood-curdling, spine-chilling, terrifying, before they get deep into the story itself. Show us the effect this telling has on their listeners.
Happy Halloween Month!
Enjoy!
What Am I Reading?
"The Memory Garden" by M. Rickert. Lyrical, beautiful, sad and sometimes funny, with a sprinkling of magic. I can't say enough good things about this gem of a book. Highly recommend.
"Radio Silence" by Alice Oseman (author of "Heartstopper"). This book pulled me right in and kept me in its grip for the entire ride. Strong interesting characters that have stayed with me long after the final page. Strongly recommend.