Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Lionesses Don't Lose Sleep Over the Opinions of Sheep by Vonnie Davis

I've just read this awesome blog by Kristen Lamb. Wooza!!! My neck hurts from all the nodding I did as I read it. Heck, I even used a statement of hers for the title of my post. I'm telling all of you, who write, you have to read it. You. Must.

https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/good-girls-dont-become-best-sellers-channeling-your-inner-bad-girl-to-reach-your-dreams/

In short, Kristen Lamb is telling us to stop belittling ourselves. To own our dreams and proclaim them. To stop being afraid of saying--shouting from the rooftops, even--I'm a good writer and I want to be a best seller. A man would do it. Why can't we? Stop being so humble, so insecure about our wants, so prone to put it on the back burner while we see to the needs of everyone else.

I'll admit, while I get her point, I was raised in the generation of "self-praise stinks." So, for me to say I'm a good writer goes against my upbringing, even though I write for the biggest publisher in the world. I want to be a best seller, but putting that out there seems quite ballsy to me. For one, I'm 67...how much time do I have left to do this? Besides, can an old broad appeal to a younger audience?

I've published nine books, six or more novellas, and one short story. I'm working on a contract for three more books and there's talk of extending my paranormal series by two more books, depending on sales. I've accomplished this in five years. Oh, let's not forget the nervous breakdown I had the day one of my books released. I had promo and thirteen days to finish another book for another publisher. I was writing fourteen hours everyday. It took me a year to get off the nerve pills. Firing my agent helped, too.

Okay, so maybe I won't proclaim the I wanna be a best seller mantra. But I will claim I'm a writer, a prolific writer, an above average writer. Click on the link above and read the post. It's fabulous.

6 comments:

Jannine Gallant said...

What's wrong with stating facts! You're a damn good writer, and so am I. I've never had a problem believing in myself or saying what I think. If we don't have confidence in our own abilities and acknowledge our skill, no one else will! And didn't you know 67 is the new 37! LOL Get out there and kick some butt, woman!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

37? Well, I'll take that new way of thinking. Yes, we're both good writers, damn good, in fact. Still, I'd rather tout the abilities of others than myself. Thanks for stopping by.

Liz Flaherty said...

While I'm not going to do the "oh,shucks" thing, I'll never be my own best cheerleader, either. I'm okay with that. There are things about the way I grew up and the way I've always lived that I still like.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

My biggest fear, Liz, is about the time I start bragging on myself, my publisher will tell me they no longer need me and my writing career will take a serious backslide or be over. So, I'll keep thinking it, keeping it quiet, and chanting my private goals to myself.

Angela Adams said...

Standing ovation for this post! Thanks!!

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks for visiting and for the ovation. LOL Hugs, Angela.