We authors tend to pour a lot of ourselves into our books, even if they are non-fiction. And we’re rightfully proud of what we have created once we have a finished, edited manuscript, or even a finished book, ready to publish.
Until it’s time to show it to others.
Then doubt sets in. Is it good enough? Will they like it?
And that’s only the first level of exposure.
Consider Amazon, and the review feature. As published authors, we need reviews. The more, the better.
Except for the 1-star ones.
Those can make us cringe.
And then, there’s the internet’s hateful, misogynist, racist underbelly.
What if we win the publishing lottery and our book suddenly becomes famous? Will we get harassed like that? Receive hateful mail? Get trolled on Twitter?
This might seem to be over the top – not many authors gain that much fame. But this is a writer’s brain we’re talking about, and I know many of us can and do think that far ahead in a heartbeat.
And suddenly, it might feel safer not to invite all that heartbreak.
Safer not to finish the book.
Safer not to write.
Because we’re scared of the haters.
And this is where the tapping comes in, because this fear is mostly a limiting belief. Getting trolled doesn’t happen to many authors. Yes, people might dislike our book and say so in a review, but that will happen anyway. Some authors see a 1-star review as a badge of honor, and I’ve seen some use those reviews as perfect marketing tools.
We can’t please everyone.
And if our book starts a discussion, that’s awesome. It means you have touched a nerve in society. Something that needs to be seen and talked about.
So let’s tap, because the world needs that kind of book. Your book.
Even though I’m so scared that people will hate my book, I’m a good writer, and I now choose to see that I cannot please everyone.
Even though I’m so scared of receiving hateful reviews, and I’m not sure I can take the heartache, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to believe in myself and my book.
Even though a part of me would rather not allow any possibility of hate, and stops me from writing, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to acknowledge the fear and then release it.
Your Turn:
Have you received negative feedback about your stories or books?
How did that feel?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – what are you creating right now?
Would love to hear from you!
Image Source: F. Moebius
PS: You’ll find my personal experiences with these beliefs in the comment section. Because I am tapping with these very sentences, I’m inviting you to join me on this journey, and share your experiences.
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