This is the hardest job I will ever love. However, what many writers will not tell you is -- to do this job, a healthy self-esteem is required.

People have low esteem for a variety of reasons. Some individuals suffer from poor body image and focus on all the negative traits of their physical appearance. Others have emotional issues that have caused their self-esteem to drop or feel unworthy of any praise. While many authors bask in the glory of wonderful reviews, we seldom discuss the impact of negative feedback.

Criticism is a way of life. Social media has closed the gap from those who were once unavailable to making everything a global community. It has also lowered the bar for people to be kind. I won't even discuss being courteous. Let's not bring into the conversation audacity, pomposity, and unmitigated gall.

As an author, we hear from all types of readers. I don't shy away from critics because not everyone is going to love every book I put out. And not every book I put out is going to be perfect because I am a flawed person, who aims to get it 'write', but sometimes I don't. You never see the pages nor the books on the cutting room floor. On the days when I seem to be at my lowest, dragging myself to the desk to put words and emotions in written form, I open my mail to see some of the nastiest, cruelest things you can send to an author- what the reader feels needed to be corrected. Some readers even go as far to volunteer to beta read to help the author get it "write."

What I see when I read the passage is this...

To have the unmitigated gall to reach out to a person you don't know asking for an unpublished manuscript to be sent to them to critique your work is astounding to me. I have people trying to steal my works that are published and copyrighted. I can only sit and sigh but what I see in my mind is....

I know the reader means well. I am touched that a person could care so much to take time out of their day, go through my entire novel, line by line, page by page, and make annotations, suggestions, and what they feel are needed corrections. It touches me that in the middle of the night, in my time zone at two a.m., they feel comfortable enough to send me this message which also includes their pedigree, degrees, and the University they attended that awarded the English degrees they hold. Again, what I see is...

I can honestly tell you how it feels. Pretty much like this.

I can laugh about it.

I always do.

I appreciate the feedback because it tells me where I am falling short, and gives me benchmarks to make my work better. Most times, it only makes me want to get a day job and count pegs coming down an assembly line. Other days, are pretty much like this...

I am human. I can only say that I am trying to make each story better. My self-esteem on some days can take the blows, on others, I wonder why I do this for a living. Then I remember, I frickin' love it.

For whatever reason your self-esteem may falter, the key to building it up again is to find the root of the problem. Think of self-esteem like a house, if you build a stunning house on a poor foundation, the entire structure will crumble. However, if you take steps to ensure the foundation is strong and capable of holding anything, the process may be slow, but your self-esteem will be built soundly.  

Topic: Show Me Book Club Chat

Time: Mar 30, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83033765819?pwd=9bA3l9WBl7PcqzXyWID6ZFtOgQrlIl.1

Meeting ID: 830 3376 5819

Passcode: 394903

Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kb6PGbMzXG

"Warning: 'Show Me' may cause intense blushing, spontaneous sighs, and an irresistible urge to find your own mail order sweetheart. Proceed with caution! #PassionUnleashed"

Get it Here https://books2read.com/u/mvNkWJ

https://amzn.to/474dPUK

The journal will also give you and your special someone the opportunity to recreate in your lives, the special moments shared by Peter and Kimbrae. Simple romantic gestures to remind you why you fell in love. You even get to make ice cream sundaes, bake cookies, and so much more. This is your journal. Have fun with it. (Will be Live on Release Day. You can find it Under the Modern Mail Order Brides, book 17.5)

A Portable Charger to end all chargers.

【Portable charger with built in cables】

【Universal Compatibility & Sufficient Capacity】

【5 Outputs, 4 Inputs】

【LED Display Knowing Remaining Juice】

What will you get

• 1 x power bank,
• 1 x use manual,
• 1 x travel pouch.
• 18 Month’s warranty and lifetime technical support.

Get yours here.

*********

Best-Ever Chicken Salad

(You can make this with canned chicken or even left over rotisserie chicken).

Ingredients

Meat

• • 4 lbs Chicken parts, bone-in

Produce

• • 2 stalks Celery
• • 2 tbsp Dill, fresh
• • 1 cup Grapes, seedless
• • 1 Lemon, Juice of
• • 1 tbsp Parsley, fresh

Condiments

• • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• • 1 cup Mayonnaise

Baking & Spices

• • 1 tsp Kosher salt
• • 1 Pepper, Freshly ground

Oils & Vinegars

• • 2 tbsp Olive oil

Nuts & Seeds

• • 1 cup Almonds

Other

• • 3 Scallions (thinly sliced (white and green parts))

Mix and Yum.

Night Blind

This story is plot-driven. You are going to learn a great deal about the Neary's, the technicians, and how one is made.

In the background is one story which is running at full speed. In the foreground, we have Mr. Slow as a new husband and father. We have Cherry, finding her way as a full-time wife and mother, still taking a gig or so on the side, but Naomi needs her attention. So does Helen. So does her husband.

And there are the occasional side gigs.

There are checks and balances. The checks she's checking, just aren't balancing.

Coming April 23, 2024.

https://amzn.to/49eDCKP

https://books2read.com/u/47vVP7

Yes, I love you too.

https://www.ogaines.com/post/creating-images-with-ai

https://www.ogaines.com/post/the-mediterranean-healthy-eating

https://www.ogaines.com/post/so-i-got-the-grandkid-a-magic-kit

https://www.ogaines.com/post/stop-the-creativity-sap-sucker

Up next, the Amazon Rain Forest. Join me in this virtual Challenge. https://www.theconqueror.events/r/CC96636

Join my group Olivia's Hikers. Invitation Code OLIVIA1158 Password readwalkslay. We are walking 100 miles in 100 days.