This post is June’s Insecure Writers Support Group post. A group created byAlex Cavanaugh. You can find sign up details by clicking on the link. Once a month we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for our fellow writers.
Today I want to discuss, or mostly ask, how do you overcome second book fears?
Following my great news of agent representation last week, my enthusiasm is, as you’d expect, soaring, but what I didn’t expect was that my actual writing would start stalling.
I discussed in the #1kaday post, that I had struggled a little with Novel two when attempting to plot it out before writing it, so had moved onto just getting on with it and typing. It was going well. I was steaming ahead. I was…
Now I know I’m officially signed up with an agent I feel a bit panic stricken. That blank page is terrifying me. I have to put words on there that are capable of being read. And not just read, but enjoyed. It feels like an immense pressure. So much so that I’ve decided that what I’ve written so far is drivel and I need to start again. There needs to be a completely different murder and plot, so, completely different characters. But, it needs to be done. I’m just not happy with it.
How do you cope with blank page fears and worries about what you’ve written so far?
If you’re signed up with an agent, and/or published, please tell me this feeling is temporary and I that will happily sit at my desk tapping away again very soon. I know I have to put my bum in the seat, which I will, what I’m talking about is the crushing fear you can’t do it.
beautifulorange says
Good luck Rebecca! I bet that’s a really common feeling to have… all of a sudden you know that someone is going to read your work… and with expectations. I guess the main thing is to focus on the fact that they wouldn’t be representing you unless you had talent – so trust yourself as much as you can. Personally, I’m focussing on trying to finish my first book!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you. I think that’s the problem isn’t it, expectations. One word and it has us all in a mess. I’ll be here to give you the same advice when you are sitting with book two 🙂
tmewalsh says
I’ve heard that feeling never goes away! I think it’s when you hear writers say they have no worries that you can sense there’s a problem. Your own nerves sound quite normal to me and that you are serious about growing and improving as a writer. You have an agent – your work must have the merit 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you. I think you’re probably right. If I’m worried about it, I’m thinking and working on it which are only good things for it’s future.
Margot Kinberg says
Rebeca – I know what you mean. I felt a bit the same way when I started my second novel. But then I got enthusiastic about the main character – well, the victim really as I write crime fiction. That got me over the ‘second novel blues.’ Once I started really thinking about her story I got interested in her and that kept me writing.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot. It does seem to be that this is quite natural, second novel blues, I just need to keep my head down, keep going and remember what I was enjoying about the first one.
nancyrae4 says
Hi Rebeca – Again, congratulations. I’ve heard second book fear is a problem for every writer, with an agent or not. So, that being said, I’m dealing with my second novel nerves by learning as much as I can about my new characters. Hopefully, they’ll take the plot and run with it, and all I’ll have to do is type as fast as I can!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Nancy. I’m getting that idea, that this is quite normal. I’m glad to hear it to be honest and the more people who have told me, the happier I am, because I believe I can get through something that is a natural part of writing. Good luck with your second novel writing!
Patricia (@patricialynne07) says
I remember being afraid of my second book. OMG what if it’s horrible compared to the first and I’ll never write another book as good???? Very terrifying. In the end, you have to put the fear out of your mind. The second book will be fine and YOU CAN WRITE IT!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Patricia! I’m glad it’s not just me recognising that I can’t possibly be a writer and it’s all quite normal. I grab hold of some of that faith you’re showing in me and run with it!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I remember that feeling. my publisher wanted a second book and I was like “What?” I finally just sat down and powered through it. You can as well!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Alex. I’m glad to hear it’s a natural reaction and I’ll get through it.
Rachel Schieffelbein says
I love that we, as writers, can always find something to be afraid of. 🙂 Someone loved the first one enough to sign you on, so now you worry about the next one. And you are not alone! From what I can tell, writers will always worry about the next one, and the one after that. 🙂 Starting out is always the hardest part, I’m sure you remember. 😉 You’ll get into the groove again soon. 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Rachel. That blank page is definitely terrifying isn’t it? And yes, as writers we are a pretty scared and insecure bunch of people. It’s good to know I’m not alone, that I can work through this. I just have to keep sitting down in front of it until that groove comes back! 🙂
helenphifer says
I think you and me are in the same boat Rebecca, when I was told the deadline for my second book I felt a little faint. It has taken me eight years to get book one good enough to be taken on by a publisher and they want book two by September. I had to breathe into a brown paper bag for an hour or so.
I have my plot and have made a good start and written almost 20000 words, I think the best thing to do is just get on with it. Said me who is on here when I could be writing, but you know that you are good enough or your agent wouldn’t have taken you on. Once you start it will all flow and the magic will happen.
The best advice I got was from my writing tutor when I told her my similar fears, ‘Helen my dear if your feet are cold then slip on another pair of socks and just get on with it.’ Jayne Jakeman is an amazing lady 🙂
Good luck Rebecca and I’ll see you at the other side.
Helen xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Wow Helen, I’d definitely need a brown paper bag with a deadline like that!
I love Jayne Jakeman’s advice though. Wonderful. I’ll get more socks and keep at it.
It is good to know that it’s not just me thinking I can’t do it though, that it’s something we as writers do go through.
I’m so thrilled for you Helen and cheering you along as you power through this one x
Linda King says
I dread that pressure! I almost feel like writing 3 novels before I even submit the first! I’m sure the panic will wear off and creativity will take over. Write for yourself and I’m sure you’ll be back in the swing of it in no time. Just let the first draft be bad if it needs to be, then give it a re-model!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Linda, I think that’s my plan, just get something down, anything and I can then work from there. It is panic because I’m in a situation I’m not used to, it should ease off.
mandyevebarnett says
Not sure if this is helpful or not as I write different genres but I found writing in a new genre helped me overcome that blank page fear. Maybe look at your next project from a new perspective to generate your muse?
Good luck
Rebecca Bradley says
I think that a really helpful idea Mandy. I do have an idea for a none crime novel that has been hammering away at my head for some time and while it’s not something that is going to be my focus just now, I could do a little work on it just to get my writing brain into gear! Thank you 🙂
mandyevebarnett says
Glad I could be of some help. Working on something completely different seems to re-start the muse. Good luck.
Sheena-kay Graham says
I can’t speak from personal experience on this but I will say from what I’ve read from others that you will always fear writing something new. What you have to do is conquer that fear and get to writing anyway.
Blog: Queendsheena
IWSG Co-host
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Sheena. It does seem that this feeling is natural, so fingers crossed I can work my way through it.
Jane Isaac says
I felt exactly the same, Rebecca. It’s a bit like that all important second album in the music industry, lol.
The only way I handled it was to try to remember why I write – the excitement of creating characters, the fun with plotting, writing a book I would like to read myself. The feelings don’t necessary go away completely, but they certainly dwindle enough to continue.
I also felt these nerves when I’d finished book two, but the wonderful feedback I received from beta readers like yourself gave me the confidence to approach publishers again.
Personally I think it’s quite good to care so much – it’s because you want every book to be the best you can do.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Jane. It does seem that it is all natural, so I do hope to keep writing and push through this. I think some of it is just blind panic as well, at a situation I’ve found myself in that I’m not used to.
I also think that’s a great point about caring. It seems that we are going to feel insecure about every book we go to write, because we care so much. This is going to be fun isn’t it? 😉
Elle Turner says
Rebecca, you can do it. You definitely can. How about trying a short story with your characters first? You’ll know from the outset that it is just for you to read, so no pressure, and it might spark off something bigger.
Elle 🙂 xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Elle. I like the idea of writing something for the character first and it’s not something I’d thought about and it could help me. Thank you!
Annalisa Crawford says
I’m lucky that I’ve never had to write on demand, so I can’t offer any advice just lots of good wishes.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Annalisa. Good wishes are always appreciated.
Kirsten says
Maybe try writing something you’ve decided no one will see, just to get the words flowing again? You might change your mind and decide it’s good enough to share after a few changes, but in any case you’ll have words on the screen and be out of that funky place you’re feeling right now.
Also, going back too much isn’t always a good idea. Powering through to the end, and then making changes on the finished story is sometimes a more efficient way to work.
Not that I would know anything about efficiency as I contemplate yet another revision … grrrr… 😉
Good luck with Book Number Two! 🙂
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Kirsten. I think it’s a good idea to write something else just for a couple of days, just to get the flow going again. I won’t just ditch everything. I’ll move it to another folder, safely out of sight just for now, but retrievable if I change my mind. 🙂
Jodi says
After working so long on book number one and making soooooo many mistakes in attempts to organize my thoughts in the end I learned a whole lot. Now, I’m excited to move on to book two just because I know the process will be that much smoother!
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s a good point Jodi. Book one does take so long because we are learning so much as we go, book two, though still learning, it’s not the first time is it.A helpful reminder. Thank you.
M. J. Joachim says
Fear is the enemy…don’t let it in.
Rebecca Bradley says
IT certainly is and I’m trying hard 🙂
Glynis Smy says
You must find the pleasure in writing and lose the fear of writing, then, and only then, will you refocus. Good luck, and don’t let pressure ruin your flow. X
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Glynis. A couple of people have mentioned maybe working on something else for a couple of days just to get my writing flow going again. It sounds like a good starting place to me. x
Glynis Smy says
That often helps. Good luck.
Vicky Newham says
It’s interesting that you say that this fear began after you signed with an agent. Are you sure that it isn’t the sort of natural self-doubt and anxiety that we all experience when we are about to embark on a big ‘next step’? You’ve wanted representation for so long. It would be natural to wonder if you can cut the mustard. It may not be this, but even if it is, it’s incredibly normal: it’s just how the mind works. It’s a bit like a defence mechanism. Personally, I’d try some self-CBT techniques, and look for some evidence to challenge your thoughts and associated feelings: your first book was good enough to get you an agent; you were writing away happily before this happened; Mari H tweeted that she experiences the exact same thing when she finishes a book, etc. I’m writing my second book. I’ve not yet had any formal feedback on my first book, but I decided to forget about #1 for now and get on with the next. I find that if I feel uninspired for a day or two, it comes flooding back as long as I keep the creativity open. If I’m tired or not feeling well, that can affect how I feel about myself and my book (it does with us all). Might this be the case, perhaps? If you don’t like the book, change it, or change some of your characters. I don’t know how much you’ve written but it would seem a shame to abandon it and start a whole new one, however tempting that can be sometimes. I nearly left my first book. Then I went back to it, changed a load of stuff and like it again now. These things seem to go in phases. I suppose I tend be do the self-analysis thing (sorry, Psychology background!) and ask myself what the problem is. I am sure that if you continue writing something, your ability to finish book 2 will re-emerge. Maybe write a couple of flash pieces for fun, or do some reviewing of your plot or characters on a notepad. Above all, tell yourself that this is temporary, that you can do it, and that everything is fine.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you for your wise words Vicky. It is exactly that I think, that I fear I can’t cut that mustard. It’s been a fluke that I got this far, etc etc. I know it is something that will fade as I keep going, but you’re right, I do think I need to approach this slightly differently, like writing something different for a couple of days, just to keep the writing mind going. I won’t completely ditch what I’ve written, I think I will pull a lot of it and save it in other folders just in case.Mari’s tweet was really helpful. It was good to know that this is quite normal as well as the new step fears. Though going through this every time I start a new book?! And yes, I’ve also been feeling a little fatigued, so you picked up on that as well 🙂
Thank you Vicky x
Vicky Newham says
Phew! I’m so glad that what I wrote was okay. I was terribly worried that I’d overstepped a boundary. Also pleased that you can accept how you feel a bit now, rather than seeing it as a sign of impending doom.
D.A.Cairns says
Definitely temporary. It’s a little like guys lining up at a urinal.The stagefright soon passes and natural processes take over. Sorry for the crude analogy.
Rebecca Bradley says
Ha! Great analogy, though not one I’m overly familiar with to be honest, but I get the gist. Glad to hear it’s temporary though.
fcmalby says
Hi Rebecca,
I’m with you, here! I wrote a post on first drafts this week but it should have been titled, First Drafts, Second Book. I think you have a freedom with a first book that does not exist in the same way with subsequent books. I have heard seasoned writers say that the nerves never leave you, the pressure of expectation. Interestingly, it wasn’t until I had agent interest in my first book that I completely stalled with the next one. I’m worried that I won’t be able to finish it so I’m having a wee bread from #1Kaday to read for a few days. It’s helping.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think that’s a good idea Fiona, taking a break to read. It’s also what I’ve done these last couple of days. I’m about feeling ready to hit the keyboard again. I think a break is sometimes necessary. There is definitely a different feel to approaching this book now, to approaching the first one.
Hoping your reading break has helped.
Vikki Thompson says
Sorry honey, I’m a little bit late 🙁
I actually found the second novel easier…am I weird do you think? Lol
Good luck Rebecca, lots of great advice here!
Xx
Rebecca Bradley says
Definitely weird Vikki! 😉
Thank you. It seems to be the consencus that this will go and I can power through it. Fingers crossed x
Vikki Thompson says
Good luck honey, I’m sure you will 🙂
Xx