Wednesday, April 2, 2014

#IWSG My name is Terri Rochenski and I feel inadequate


A special thanks to the ISWG for giving me the opportunity to share with you all today!

Alex and his team of co-hosts for today are Hart Johnson, Chemist Ken, Candilynn Fite, ME, Clare Dugmore, and Lilica Blake!
 
Remember to visit the IWSG page for the day’s post and visit the Facebook page for additional support.

~~oOo~~


I image us all sitting in a circle on folding chairs, perhaps a nervous smile or two for those beside us, gearing up to share our insecurities. Glancing around waiting for our meeting to begin, I image some struggle with fear - fear of putting themselves 'out there'. Others' self-confidence keeps them from hitting the 'send' button on a submission. Both plagued me for years, but I took the leap and did both. 

It was worth it.

But now I struggle with another insecurity. Clearing my throat, I think of the words I need to share. 
"My name is Terri Rochenski and I feel inadequate."

Even though I've been through the publishing process six times, I feel inadequate to offer advice to aspiring authors. My critique skills, marketing, blogging, and editing talents are still a major work in progress. 

A few months ago Roane Publishing contacted me wanting to know if I would be interested in acting as their marketing director.

0_O  

(For those of you who don't know, these are my crazy googly 'what the...?' eyes.)

Talk about laughter! What the heck do I know? Sure, I love setting up blog tours - I THRIVE on the organizational aspect of them, but director of marketing?

*snort*

I let Roane know that I'm no expert. I'm just willing to learn. They allowed me to hop aboard with my baggage of insecurity and anointed me with a title, and now I have the opportunity to help others reach their goals of publication. Perhaps I'll get lucky enough to work with one of you sitting around me!

It's been four months, and while I still feel hugely inadequate, I am gleaning every bit of wisdom I can from this experience. 

Keep moving forward, says I. 

We'll never know it all, but it's worth shooting for!

~~oOo~~

Do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? Do you offer to beta read or critique in fear and trembling? Or perhaps the thought of ripping an aspiring authors' WiP to shreds fills you with sick glee...?




44 comments:

  1. Marketing Director, so cool. I don't know how to market myself. Having a rough time of it. I"m right beside you feeling inadequate and how'd I get on this roller coaster ride?

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  2. I have a tendency to go in the other direction--with some things anyway, but going through the indie publishing process has taught me how much I still need to learn. It's a humbling experience.

    Congratulations on your new job!
    Thanks for co-hosting. :)

    IWSG #243, until Alex culls the list again.

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  3. Superb! Well done. I totally agree that we will never know it all, but I say that knowing that and striving to learn means we know a lot. Go Terri!

    Oh, and regards offering our beta/critiquing time to writers is indeed terrifying. But as I prefer the brutal honesty to platitudes, I assume others will and give them what I'd like (with a warning before we begin). :)

    shahwharton.com

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  4. Oh, the things that make us stretch! Great post!

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  5. The self doubt queen commenting here. Just keep on doing what you are, in fact, doing. Obviously, you're doing it quite well. You'll learn more and more each day. Congrats to you!

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  6. Wow! What an opportunity! Feel good that they contacted you. Feel good about where you are today, cause you know you can look back and be proud of what you accomplished!
    Thanks for co-hosting today!

    Heather M. Gardner
    The Waiting is the Hardest Part
    Stormy's Sidekick
    Blogging from A to Z April Challenge Co-Host

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  7. Terri, that's awesome!! See, you did know what you were doing. And now, you'll learn so much more and be able to share it with others.
    However, I know just how you feel. Please, no one ask me for writing advice.
    Thanks for co-hosting today!

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  8. That's amazing, congrats!!! xoxoxo

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  9. I think part of learning is taking in information from many sources and then figuring out what works for you. In this regard it is never bad to give someone your opinion. Great post.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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  10. Hey Terri! Great to meet you! I will play friendly blog-hood psychiatrist this morning and what you are suffering is IMPOSTER syndrome. So I will let you in on a secret--ALL of us have it. Many just hide it pretty well. I mean I have some skills I can point to that I think are pretty solid, but of the vast canvas of authory stuff, it is only a small portion. Just know you had to be doing SOMETHING well to get you noticed in the first place!

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  11. Congratulations on getting that position! Seems your taents were obvious to others, if not to yourself.

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  12. I definitely suffer feelings of inadequacy, especially when it comes to offering advice! I'm more than happy to edit/proofread others' manuscripts, but actually offering publishing advice is another thing entirely! I feel like I've no clue what I'm doing even though I've been published for over a year! It's definitely not just you. Congratulations on the marketing position, anyway! :)

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  13. congrats on your position. I guess others see your talents better than you do.

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  14. Hello there fellow co-host, Terri! First off, congratulations on your position! I completely understand feelings of inadequacy, especially when you're pursuing something that you are inexperienced with. The fact that you were called, offered the position and given the time to learn as you went speaks volumes of the company's faith in you. :) So, smile because they know you're just THAT GOOD. Now you need to believe it too. Second, I'd like to thank you for stopping by my blog early this morning and leaving your kind thoughts and words. They meant a lot. Have a great day today Terri and I'm sure we'll touch base again soon. Lily-Eva

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  15. You have skillz that are obvious to those who hired you.
    Remember, it's difficult to be objective about ones self... and you HAVE been through the publishing process 6X... that counts for something...
    Congrats on the position!
    Writer In Transit

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    1. I forgot to say thank you for helping to co-host the IWSG this month!

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  16. I think you should listen to Roane, Terri. They obviously know a winner when they see one. Good luck on your new adventure! Thanks for hosting.

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  17. Congrats! I think sometimes it happens that we feel inadequate when asked to step up and do something. Just think, they wouldn't have asked you if they didn't think you're more than capable. I'm sure you will do a good job. Thanks for co-hosting.

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  18. Feeling inadequate seems to be part of the process we all go through.

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  19. That is awesome! Way to jump in, even with your feelings of inadequacy. I don't think there's ever a level or place you reach where you don't feel like you're an amateur faking it in a pool of pros, but I think you begin to tread water, and eventually swim. Here's to swimming!

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  20. Congrats on the job offer and that someone sees in you a great advocate for literature. You know more than you think you do and must be doing an incredible job. And, yes, of course, I feel inadequate, too. I've been asked to teach/mentor people in their writing. Huh? me? Yep. And, it's turning out pretty well.
    Play off the Page

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  21. Congrats on your new position. Of course, I feel inadequate. Every time I post on my own or someone else's blog, I think "who wants to know what I think?" So I grit my teeth and do it anyway.

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    1. Forgot again, thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  22. You've already have a book finished. I'll bet you have tons of advice to give to the rest of us. Marketing sounds great. You'll have to tell us of your adventures in the future.

    Thanks for co-hosting this month.

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  23. Congrats! Don't you love when good things arrive unexpected. And, don't you love when you accomplish more than you thought you could/would/should. I'm very happy for you.

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  24. Congratulations! I know the post is about feeling inadequate but the one thing I've learned when meeting writers and others who work in the industry is that having a passion for books is the most important thing. If you're enthusiastic, it will be contagious!
    I love to beta read! but I aproch it not as an expert or even as a writer. I give critiques and beta reader notes as a reader. I consume a large volume of books ever year. I feel that my thoughts on what I like and what I don't are valid. I'm the type of person that will be reading your novels or short stories.

    Good luck in your new position! You'll do great!

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  25. That's awesome! No matter how inadequate you feel, your employer obviously feels otherwise. That's about the same face I made when my first editing client asked me to fix her picture book! I had reworked one awkward rhyme and sent it for free, but the last thing I expected was a request to edit a whole book, not even a short one. I still find too many errors in almost every book I read, so I keep at it in hopes that one day, I'll find a perfect book and jump for joy! My own writing? Bleahh. I need another editor.

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  26. That is awesome!! Congratulations! I just know you're going to do great, Terri! If we don't feel a little insecure in what we do, especially with new avenues we're taking, it's not worth it.

    Whenever I beta read, I always fear that the writer may grow mad after seeing my edits and think I didn't like their story, which is never the case.

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  27. Yes, I too am totally inadequate. And I have an agent...and a published book with a great rating on Amazon. And yet -- I'm still totally inadequate. I don't think any of us ever get over that feeling, but like you said, we must "Keep moving forward."

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  28. Hi, brand new to IWSG! I also feel insecure about my abilities. I have an MA in English and taught college level classes, so I am sure I have the ability to tutor, to edit, to beta read but if someone asked me to rip their manuscript to shreds...I'd shudder at the thought. I'd do it, but I'd feel inadequate.

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  29. Thanks everyone for stopping by & commenting / offering encouragement!! I'm swamped with thoughts toward all of you, but the 3 little chitlins keep me from separate replies. I've read & appreciate each & every one of you!!

    :)

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  30. What an awesome opportunity! And you'll be helping other authors, which is great. I'm sure you'll knock their socks off. Thanks so much for co-hosting this month!

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  31. Congratulations. How awesome for you. That is a super story. I gave a little cheer for you.

    Yes I feel inadequate in every aspect of the deal, but I am still writing. Writing my first novel.

    IWSG Under Sunday Blog on designated WED->click here

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  32. So happy for you that you have a new job! As you mention, it's a learning curve, but one worth taking, I'm sure. Being a little anxious is normal, especially as you warm up to the position to claim it and make it your own, giving it your own special uniqueness that makes your work stand out and shine. You'll do great, I just know it.

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches

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  33. Hey, getting paid to do something you're still learning to do is pretty awesome.

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  34. Wow! Congratulations. Doesn't it feel good after taking the plunge, even when you feel afraid or inadequate? More often than not the water is just the right temperature.

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  35. Well done, Terri. You're learning and growing and that's important. Good thing is you're moving ahead despite feeling inadequate and all.

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  36. What an amazing opportunity - that's so awesome! I think everyone feels that way when starting a new job, even if you know a lot about it. :)

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  37. I recently read on Neil Gaiman's blog where he said he finally feels like he is no longer faking it. That's right. Neil Gaiman. Even the very successful feel inadequate. Nice post :)

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  38. They that are organized are good marketers. Selah. Here is the news. You are worthy. Whatever you have set your mind to. Who wants a story that it was snap, no struggle, everything came on silver spoon, Iand nothing was very difficult. I wouldn't read that story. Happy belated IWSG day.

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  39. Wow, after six the butterflies and insecurities are still there. That's almost frightening, but I congratulate you on your perseverance and honesty. Thanks for co-hosting this month on IWSG.

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  40. I think you are doing a great job!! Just so you know. Thanks for all you do. And I feel inadequate all the time. I barely believe someone likes my stories, let alone published them :-) I wouldn't offer to edit or give advice on anyone's work- well except close friends. But Still in the end. What do i know.

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  41. Great post! I struggle with feeling inadequate regularly.

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