Progress and Fear

I have been struck down by a severe case of plot bunnies. I have three stories I want to write in April, but two is more than enough and one will have to wait, and decisions are hard! So, at the moment I've got Book Four, Prequel, and 'November Rain', which is something completely different altogether. Actually, thinking about it, I suppose a book called 'November Rain' would be more appropriate for November NaNo... But I want to write it *now*! 

There aren't enough months in the year.

Making great leaps with Book One -- well into Part 2.2, and have done well over 10k since being back in the States. Seeing as 10k was my monthly goal, I'm feeling pretty pleased. My hideous case of writers' block that I had in January/England has definitely been left behind me!

The closer I get to finshing the book, though, the scarier it's getting. A good friend of mine has started writing her query letter so we've been talking about the whole publishing hoo-ha recently... It's frickin' terrifying. Not so much the fear of not getting picked up -- I mean, I really wouldn't mind going down the Self-Pub route -- but what if Book One gets picked up, flops hideously and then I won't be able to even self--pub the rest of the series because it'll still be owned by the publisher?? 

I know I know -- cross bridges when you come to them, don't count your chickens etc. etc. But it is scary. 

But talking to Sarah and voicing my worries, she said two things that really struck me. First, she told me that she believes in the story which, as any writer knows, that means the world. And then, more importantly, she said, 'Do you want to give it a chance?' And I guess that's it. Over and over, I've advised writers to leave their fears at the door and just do it -- Be Fearless!! And here I am, considering wrapping my story up in cotton wool and locking it away from the scary world. 

My biggest pet peeve is when writers don't follow their own advice, and I find I've been committing the cardinal sin!

So screw that. Whatever happens, happens. If it fails, that doesn't mean I have to give up writing it. It just means I have to work harder and continue to do my best. The only way I cn fail is if I stop doing my best and let my fear sabotage me. 

No!