The inner critic is real

I finished writing the first draft of my novel, Edge Wood’s Exit Strategy, in June. (Yahoo!) Everything after that has been one learning moment after another. Editing, cover design, author branding, ARCs, marketing, selling … turns out that writing a book is the beginning, not the end of the process — if you plan to publish and sell your book. It’s been fun, exhausting, engaging and interesting, overwhelming, joyful and frustrating. The worst part is my daily (sometimes hourly) duel with my obnoxious, needling inner critic:

“Who do you think you are? Why do you think anyone would want to read your book? Aren’t there a zillion other, better books out there? Why didn’t you write a romancy?”

I start to feel dejected, scared. But then I talk back:

“I think I’m a good writer with relatable, funny characters and a story to tell that’s unlike anyone else’s. And it’s okay if not everyone likes it or wants to read it. I would rather be the right person’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea.” (I just heard that last quote, whiskey/tea, in a Reedsy webinar. Love.)

So there. Ppppthththtfffft! (Me sticking my tongue out at my Mean Girl inner critic.)