(With NaNoWriMo coming up, let me give you a bit of a boost)
So you wrote a book. You self-published it or may self-publish it. It’s just that, down deep, you think it’s kind of crappy. Guess what, I don’t care if it’s crappy – it may indeed be crappy. I want you to know why this is great.
First, let me note that it’s probably not as bad as you think. The ability to see our work as awful is a blessing and a curse to writers, but I oft find writers suffer from low self-esteem over egomania. We just notice the egomaniacs who think their crap is brilliant as they stand out.
So, now that you have this manuscript you’re vaguely disappointed in, perhaps even published, let’s talk about what’s great about it.
What’s Generally Awesome:
- It’s done. You can move on to your next project.
- You managed to actually write a book – kudos. That alone shows a level of strength, talent, commitment, obsession, or lack of self-control that’s commendable. Many people couldn’t do this – you could.
- You learned you care enough to get a book done. If you have that passion that puts you ahead of people who never try.
- You can always publish under a pseudonym. In some cases this is the best idea depending on subject matter.
- At least the book is committed to history. You are a historical snapshot and people may learn from your experiences.
- You learned more about self-publishing in general, and perhaps the publishing industry from your research. You can use that later or in other projects.
Technical Skills:
- You learned how to better use writing tools like word processors to get this far. That can help you in your next book or other projects.
- You learned how to use formatting options and/or self-publishing tools to get the book ready for publishing. You can use that for other projects or in everyday life.
- You learned how to use publishing services like CreateSpace or Lulu. You can use it again or teach others.
- You learned how to make a cover for your book, or buy one. Sure the cover may be bad, but it’s something.
Writing Skills
- You learned a lot about writing. Yes, the book may not be good, but it is at least coherent enough for people to understand. You managed to figure out how to make that happen.
- You developed some kind of writing system and tested it – even if it was randomly flailing. You can build on that (or if your method was bad, discard it).
- You (hopefully) get some feedback. Be it from pre-readers or editors or readers, you’ve got feedback or have the chance to get some. It may not be good, but it’s a chance to grow.
- You learned just how publishing works, from issues of ISBNs to royalty-free photos. That’s knowledge you can use in future books and elsewhere.
- You learned about genres from writing within one, from comparing yourself to others, from researching. This can inform your next book, your sequel, your rewrite, or just provide helpful tips for others.
Personality And Habits
- You developed enough courage to finish and perhaps publish it. It might not be under your name, it may be flawed, but it takes a certain level of character to complete a work. You have it or developed it.
- You learned a lot about your hopes, fears, abilities, and personality doing this. It might not have been pleasant, but you learned it
- You learned how you write as you completed the book; do you write well alone, at a coffee shop, etc. You can use this for your next project.
People:
- You meet people along the way. It may be an editor, a cover artist, a fellow author, someone thank thinks your work is awful. Some of these folks are people you can grow with, who can help you grow – and whom you can help grow.
- You (hopefully) discovered writer communities along the way, or at least hard more about them. Those are people who can help you next time, be supportive, be friends, or point you at interesting work to read.
- It may not be good, but how many of us were inspired by not-good things that had some good stuff? Your work might be a stepping stone for others.
The Future:
- You can at some point rewrite the book and do it right. What if it’s really a glorified rough draft you can revisit when you’re more talented.
- At some point you can take your book off of your website or out of bookstores or whatever (if self-published). If you’re truly worried, there are options there (and you still enjoy many benefits)
- You can do a sequel to address the flaws of your work and improve as an author. I’m sure we all know series where the first (or second) book was not the best of all of them.
- You could always decide the book should be free and let others build on it.
- Maybe the book would be better as something else – a game, a comic, etc. Now that it’s done perhaps it can be reborn in a better form.
So your book sucks. But you have a book, and that’s awesome!
(Remember I do all sorts of books on creativity to help you out!)
– Steve
OK I love Overwatch. I love Junkrat. I love the new Junkertown map. So of course I had to do my bit to honor Blizzard’s brilliant work with the Junker Generator.
- Bladehawk
- Brewbull
- Dustcrow
- Hooksnake
- Scrubmite
- Slagsquirrel
- Sootowl
- Streetmoth
- Sundog
- Wrenchvole
Yes, of course it’s silly, but I regularly play an insane Australian bomber with cybernetic limbs in Overwatch, so why not?
Been awhile team, sorry I haven’t made anything lately – summer got weird. So I want to finish off the year with some fun ones!
The first is the Fantasy Game Generator.
- Battlements and Ballistas
- Bows and Bravery
- Courage and Castles
- Explorers and Enchanters
- Hellspawn and Halflings
- Paladins and Plots
- Prophecy and Potions
- Saints and Scrolls
- Swords and Sphinxes
- Witches and Wanderers
Enjoy!
- Steve
Hey gang, sorry some of the blog feeds didn’t appear. Looks like it was a kind of cache issue, which I since sorted out (literally by turning off and restarting the cache, go figure).
Additionally, I hope to have a new generator out soon, sit tight and catch up on Scott’s latest!
- Steve
It’s out! The latest of the Way With Worlds miniguides, this one on Magic and Technology – because for the sake of worldbuilding, they’re usually the same!
Each book contains 50 questions on the specific subject, plus a bunch of extras, to help worldbuilders think, ponder, and design. Think of it as a personal coaching session in a book! On top of that, each is only 99 cents!
To celebrate, the flagship book, Way With Worlds, is on sale for a week! It’s your chance to pick it up!
So go on, give it a spin – and remember, more are coming . . .
– Steve
Just a note folks, I probably won’t be doing my “en masse updates” here. I’ll focus on sanctum-relevant announcements and probably post more of my columns on writing and such from my other blogs. My “sprints” had become very general and you’re here for generators, not fine details!
- Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience, so where am I?
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Edited and ready for publication. Had a bit of a delay, did a screwy search-and-replace I had to fix. ugh.
- Way With Worlds Minibooks (General): Sent them to the editor!
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet”: Chapters #3 is in beta and needs to be edited. Debating if I do that or finish more scenes to be sure.
- Blogging: I recorded my next two agile posts!
- Other: Not 100% sure. I’ve been running pretty hot and fast.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Plan my publicity activities for the book and prepare to publish.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Probably get Chapter #3 ready for pre-readers, but might do some more writing. As noted, not sure.
- Blogging: Doing 1-2 more writing posts and probably putting them on the Sanctum. I may try some more fun Tumblr posts on (of course) Overwatch.
- General: I’d like to work on one of the two generators I have in mind, but want to see what my pacing is.
Challenges:
- I feel less overloaded, think it was just the amount of things vying for my attention, but I still think I’m operating at just a bit above my preferred capacity. It’s likely I won’t take on any big new projects for about 6 months – like new books, etc. I want to find space for generators and fun stuff. Then again working on a novel and putting out 6 minibooks is enough.
– Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience – and I forgot last weeks with the holiday. It got a bit crazy, but in a good way. So let’s get back to it!
First of all goals for this sprint, July:
- Publish Way With Worlds Minibook #2: This’ll be on Magic and Technology.
- Write more of “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I’m starting to pace myself by writing scenes, with so many scenes (8-9) roughly equalling a chapter. My goal this month is to write about 18 scenes, or roughly two chapters (as of this status, I actually wrote about 8-10 as I got on a roll).
- Lots of social stuff this month too – and next month. Man at this rate I need a vacation from my relaxing . . .
- I’m trying to do more fun stuff on my social media and Tumblr with memes and challenges.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: Out, published, and selling! Enjoy!
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: Just started editing this, and finished the cover!
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Taking a break from this right now. I’ve written a few too much of these.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet”: Chapters #1 and #2 are out, and #3 is almost finished. I need pre-readers so feel free to volunteer!
- Blogging: Just general blogging. You’ve seen it already!
- Other: Not much else to be blunt, lots of chores and catchup and a few other things.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #2: I’m going to finish editing and get it ready for publications.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Finish Chapter #3 and some more scenes.
- Writing: More blog posts as usual! I am debating putting my writing posts on Seventh Sanctum as well.
- Send more Way With Worlds books to my editor.
Challenges:
- Feeling a bit overloaded to be honest, and not sure why. I’m going to keep an eye on my workload. I also want to do more fun things and not overdo it – like my latest Overwatch Memes. I also have an unfinished generator . . .
– Steve
Yes I’ve got my first Way With Worlds Minibook out! This one is on sex and worldbuilding, where we explore the biology and sociology vital to a believable setting – and so often forgotten!
I’m going to be doing a series of these, each 99 cents, over the next few months. The idea is to do something parallel to my larger books, and focus on intense coaching on specific subjects – but without giving you something overwhelming. Each book can be read in a few hours and you can get back to writing!
- Steve
(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, www.SeventhSanctum.com, and Steve’s Tumblr)
It’s my weekly Scrum style standup for my audience. I also am going to try to focus a bit more on what it delivers to you.
So what have I done the last week?
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: This is now queued for publication! So you’ll be getting it ready very shortly! I also need reviewers.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: Writing but frankly – not enjoying it. I’ve got more on that below.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” I kid you not, Chapter #1 is in draft form and I’m editing it now. I’ll be looking for prereaders in a few days! So hit me up!
- Blogging: Queued up a new blog post for tomorrow on Agile methods.
- Other: Not much else to be blunt, lots of chores and catchup and a few other things.
What am I going to do this week:
- Way With Worlds Minibook #1: I’m going to get that out this week. I’ll post alerts of course and will be letting people know via my newsletter and usual posts.
- Way With Worlds Minibook #6: See below.
- “A Bridge To The Quiet Planet:” Get Chapter #1 to being editable. Then I’ll make it available!
- Writing: I have one or two more posts to do on writing. I am in a regular cadence here.
- Sprint Planning: Time to plan the sprint for July!
Challenges:
- Some friends are moving, and though I now don’t think it’ll take any time, I don’t know.
- As of Way With Worlds Minibook #6 I am actually kind of tired of writing these. I may take a break this month to regroup as it doesn’t have to be finished for awhile. I’ve written five of these over the years already! I may poke at it now and then but it’s not scheduled – it’s a stretch goal.
– Steve
