I had trouble deciding where to put this, so here goes.

Went traveling with my sisters today. My sisters are 7 and 8 years older than me. I learned a long time ago that I don't live in their world, and it was even more apparent today. They spoke a language with which I am not familiar and live lives with which I am not familiar. It was poignantly sad, in a way.

Anyhoo, my oldest sister starts asking questions about my book that's coming out, like, when are you getting your advance, your royalties, you know, dipping in my beeswax. Then my sisters make me even more self conscious by telling everybody in my little tiny town. They're asking me to set a date for a book signing, which would take place at my old grammar school. It's the one place I DON'T want to go with THIS book. Just does not make me comfortable at all.

I don't know why I feel this way. I mean, I should be thrilled now, my name's gonna be in print, my words between a cover -- and all I want to do is disappear. Is this normal? Or am I completely freaking out?

First off I"m gonna get the book.

Second off if your not comfortable signing your book in your old grammar school then DON'T...I have a feeling there may be some really hurtful feeling's associated with that place? If so don't do it...this is supposed to be a happy day for you.

You should be so proud of yourself. I mean I write poem's and they aren't any good but to sit and write an entire book. The patience and skill I can't tell you how much I admire the patience and drive alone.

p.s. your royalties, money and etc. is YOUR business not your sister's. When my poem's started getting published my family was alway's asking me and I finally had to tell them it's NOT about the money...They still don't understand BUT they have quit asking.

I would say that it is somewhat normal...
Freaking out over change is normal.

You are in for, possibly, a BIG change. You are putting yourself and your work out there for the public and the public thinks it is their job to give criticisms rather than praise.

Just decide early on that you aren't going to listen to it!
Decide you are only going to listen to the positive input and encouragement.
Also, I would say that your sisters are proud of you for publishing a book. I don't know you and I AM! I have been trying to finish a novel since 1982.
So, if you need any help dealing with the freaky part of being in the public eye let me know.
I'll trade you coaching for getting freaked out for coaching on how to get my butt in gear and finish my novel, deal?

Give yourself kudo's for your accomplishments and remember that you DON'T have to anything that you don't want to do.

If you don't want to be in front of the public....find an alternate method like hiring a person to double as you and do the book signings and stuff. You can ghost write a book why not ghost sign it too????
:yin-yang:

Originally posted by FightingBoredom
I would say that it is somewhat normal...
Freaking out over change is normal.

You are in for, possibly, a BIG change. You are putting yourself and your work out there for the public and the public thinks it is their job to give criticisms rather than praise.

Just decide early on that you aren't going to listen to it!
Decide you are only going to listen to the positive input and encouragement.
Also, I would say that your sisters are proud of you for publishing a book. I don't know you and I AM! I have been trying to finish a novel since 1982.
So, if you need any help dealing with the freaky part of being in the public eye let me know.
I'll trade you coaching for getting freaked out for coaching on how to get my butt in gear and finish my novel, deal?

Give yourself kudo's for your accomplishments and remember that you DON'T have to anything that you don't want to do.

If you don't want to be in front of the public....find an alternate method like hiring a person to double as you and do the book signings and stuff. You can ghost write a book why not ghost sign it too????
:yin-yang:

Ghost sign a book? Hmm, that's a good idea. :p Sure, get someone to stand in for me to do a book signing. Hah. :D

And yeh, you're exactly right. That's the part that scares me. Putting myself and my work out there.