Oops! I deleted rather than edited my previous comment which spelled Google wrong. It's been one of those days. Anyway, Congrats! I've shared your column in Notes.
I relate to this from a different perspective right now. I have gained so much as a singer since October thanks to the focus of my new voice teacher, his enthusiasm, and his talent as a teacher. But it’s also helped that he has said things, compliments, about my voice that no teacher has said before. So I was a bit uneasy sharing them with anyone but my spouse or a friend who sings. I got over it, eventually, but it’s taken a while.
What a barrier it is when we think we can’t share compliments from someone else. I think you have a far healthier attitude than I do. In fact, I’ve been learning how to work at sharing my successes by reading you!
Congrats! I think we are very similar: I have a hard time celebrating those little wins- even big ones, sometimes - because I am thinking about a few things instead, like how we could have done better, or (especially) what's next. It's psychologically healthy to celebrate them, though, so I am doing my best to start doing that. I'm awful at it, though.
Someone will congratulate me on a project we've been working on for the last year, and I'll say something like, "Thanks, but I'm not sure it's done yet."
I feel the same when some "big writer name" follows me on Twitter or interacts with my posts... it's well, wow! I have the personal email of one of these guys and we chat occasionally. I keep it to myself, it's private... makes sense, I can't walk up to a celebrity to ask for an autograph either, lol. The most I can bring myself to do, is a smile and a nod.
Ramona, you have certainly earned the right to what others call Hyping Yourself. Same thing.
But i get it. I always get the ick when I do it, but I’m trying to enjoy these little pats on the back and share them, like a kid at show and tell. Good for you! Super happy for you! Sending you love xx
It’s bragging in the guise of being humble. Example: "When it comes to budgeting, I am totally hopeless--I just spent $50,000 on a new cello. Can you believe it?"
Congratulations! I was brought up not to brag. When I discovered that in today's publishing landscape that self-promotion is essential to sell books, I was horrified.
I had to learn that lesson with my first book in 1990. I sent myself on tour and it was a good education on many levels, not least recognizing that books are commodities as well as art. And that I had to sell myself too.
My first editor had a calculator in his head: if a book was x pages then it was x dollars retail, and so on. I guess he had to, but it wasn’t something I’d been told about in writing workshops, that’s for sure!
So true--they do not prepare you for the business side of writing. I went to the #3 MFA program at the time, and we never talked about the nitty-gritty of a career.
I love Connie Schultz, and it makes perfect sense to me that she would recommend you. Great job turning the post into a reflection for all of us on how we handle praise.
How wonderful! Brag away. But as I see it, you're not just bragging. You're reminding us all of the power we have to keep another writer writing with conviction.
I’ve talked about what a life-transforming experience this has been with friends who are close and they’re happy to hear about it, so that helps ground it all even more. I’ve published some essays about singing, but haven’t caught up to what’s been happening with my new teacher. That will get written when it’s ready. 😀
Hi Ramona, However, I suspect Connie Schultz is very discerning about who she subscribes to and recommends - and that she read something she liked and wanted to continue reading. No?
What I have learned from a couple friends (and fellow writers) who self-published or are published by a small press, is that nobody else will publicize you the way you will. And that if you feel like you are bragging, being annoying, and generally acting like every chance you get you mention your freakin’ book, then you probably STILL ARE NOT DOING IT ENOUGH.
So by all means, Ramona, mention Connie Schultz as a new subscriber. Because that’s how this writing business works.
Maybe you should get out more... 🙄
Oops! I deleted rather than edited my previous comment which spelled Google wrong. It's been one of those days. Anyway, Congrats! I've shared your column in Notes.
Thanks so much, Lev. And yes, I noticed…
I relate to this from a different perspective right now. I have gained so much as a singer since October thanks to the focus of my new voice teacher, his enthusiasm, and his talent as a teacher. But it’s also helped that he has said things, compliments, about my voice that no teacher has said before. So I was a bit uneasy sharing them with anyone but my spouse or a friend who sings. I got over it, eventually, but it’s taken a while.
What a barrier it is when we think we can’t share compliments from someone else. I think you have a far healthier attitude than I do. In fact, I’ve been learning how to work at sharing my successes by reading you!
Reply is inexplicably above. 🤔
Congrats! I think we are very similar: I have a hard time celebrating those little wins- even big ones, sometimes - because I am thinking about a few things instead, like how we could have done better, or (especially) what's next. It's psychologically healthy to celebrate them, though, so I am doing my best to start doing that. I'm awful at it, though.
Bundles of 'Nah' and 'What???'. Maybe we just need to get over ourselves. 😏
Someone will congratulate me on a project we've been working on for the last year, and I'll say something like, "Thanks, but I'm not sure it's done yet."
Silly brain!
We need our own PR teams!
Oh yes. Sales, marketing, maybe accounting...
I feel the same when some "big writer name" follows me on Twitter or interacts with my posts... it's well, wow! I have the personal email of one of these guys and we chat occasionally. I keep it to myself, it's private... makes sense, I can't walk up to a celebrity to ask for an autograph either, lol. The most I can bring myself to do, is a smile and a nod.
It's not that I've never known big writers. I have. But I can't say any of them have ever done something like this for me.
I’m grateful that so many writers far better known than me have blurbed my books and so beautifully. Asking for blurbs is a pain.
Ramona, you have certainly earned the right to what others call Hyping Yourself. Same thing.
But i get it. I always get the ick when I do it, but I’m trying to enjoy these little pats on the back and share them, like a kid at show and tell. Good for you! Super happy for you! Sending you love xx
Humblebrag. Have no idea what this is, just like saying it : )
I think that term 'humblebrag' cemented my own feelings about bragging. There's really no good way of doing it!
It’s bragging in the guise of being humble. Example: "When it comes to budgeting, I am totally hopeless--I just spent $50,000 on a new cello. Can you believe it?"
Love Connie Shultz, now love you too, especially since we’re almost neighbors >>wink<<. So pleased for you, Ramona!
Thank you! Where 'up north' do you live?
Not too far from Petoskey.
Charlevoix County, near Boyne City & Lake Chx.
Congratulations! I was brought up not to brag. When I discovered that in today's publishing landscape that self-promotion is essential to sell books, I was horrified.
Ugh, 'self-promotion'. It makes my neck hairs rise...
Exactly.
I’ll post soon about how BSP got me two German book tours.
I had to learn that lesson with my first book in 1990. I sent myself on tour and it was a good education on many levels, not least recognizing that books are commodities as well as art. And that I had to sell myself too.
A bitter pill for me to swallow, but I've managed to choke it down.
My first editor had a calculator in his head: if a book was x pages then it was x dollars retail, and so on. I guess he had to, but it wasn’t something I’d been told about in writing workshops, that’s for sure!
Publication and marketing were not on the curriculum for the two writing programs I went through.
So true--they do not prepare you for the business side of writing. I went to the #3 MFA program at the time, and we never talked about the nitty-gritty of a career.
I love Connie Schultz, and it makes perfect sense to me that she would recommend you. Great job turning the post into a reflection for all of us on how we handle praise.
How wonderful! Brag away. But as I see it, you're not just bragging. You're reminding us all of the power we have to keep another writer writing with conviction.
I don't think there's any greater feeling for a writer than to know somebody admires the work you do and is willing to take the next step.
It may be our only sustenance.
Thanks, Rona.
Congrats Ramona. I like celebrating these moments with fellow writers.
Thanks so much, David. You're always a part of our community.
Congratulations! Your words about why we write at the end made me smile; that’s exactly why!
I’ve talked about what a life-transforming experience this has been with friends who are close and they’re happy to hear about it, so that helps ground it all even more. I’ve published some essays about singing, but haven’t caught up to what’s been happening with my new teacher. That will get written when it’s ready. 😀
Sorry, Ramona, this was meant to be a reply to your comment below. I shall exit stage left now. 🫢
Your words fit anywhere, Lev.
What a delightful "pay it forward"!
Thrilling! Connie is lovely and talented, as are you, Congratulations and best wishes to all. 💙
Thanks!
Congratulations! You have certainly earned it.
I don't know about 'earning' it. It was just a lovely thing to do.
Hi Ramona, However, I suspect Connie Schultz is very discerning about who she subscribes to and recommends - and that she read something she liked and wanted to continue reading. No?
Yes, you have earned it and there's not a danged thing wrong with that.
What I have learned from a couple friends (and fellow writers) who self-published or are published by a small press, is that nobody else will publicize you the way you will. And that if you feel like you are bragging, being annoying, and generally acting like every chance you get you mention your freakin’ book, then you probably STILL ARE NOT DOING IT ENOUGH.
So by all means, Ramona, mention Connie Schultz as a new subscriber. Because that’s how this writing business works.
And also because it’s severely cool! 👏
Oh, Jack, I’m going to have to dissect this and do some picking and choosing. For sure! 💕