Friday, February 18, 2011

Don't get caught up in the "what if" game

February 18, 2011. Friday. A BIG day for me. I’ll always remember it. You see, on this wonderful day in my little world, I became “real”. My paranormal romance with The Wild Rose Press, BEYOND A HIGHLAND WHISPER launched into the world. Yay! It is released!

*Happy Sigh*

And then I start playing the “what if” game. I hope most of you aren't like me. I hope you’re so self-assured that nothing ever shakes you. But if you're not, then you know exactly how the game goes.

A wicked little voice whispers in your ear and nibbles away at any amount of self-esteem you ever thought about having. The voice plows through your fields of imagination, sowing noxious, stinging weeds.

1. What if nobody buys my story?
2. What if somebody DOES buy my story but doesn't like it?
3. What if I don’t get any reviews?
4. What if I DO get reviews but they’re bad ones?
5. What if I don’t do enough promo?
6. What if I do so much promo everyone cringes when they see my name?

You get the idea. I honestly believe in a previous life, I was a little dog who raced in circles snapping at his own tail. What will I do if I ever catch it?

Luckily, my husband and two daughters are all accustomed to this behavior. They shake their heads, roll up a newspaper and swat me. “Snap out of it! Look at everything you’ve accomplished. When are you going to start believing in yourself?” You should hear them.  The way they harmonize this mantra is very impressive.

I tell them I'll probably always be this way. Childhood demons and old habits die hard. Besides. Believing in me is THEIR job. I'm lucky they do it so well.

And since they are so very supportive, for their sakes, I will do my best to stop playing the "what if" game. I'm going to trade up and don a new and improved "whatever will be...will be" mindset. 

So. If you’d like a wee taste of my new story, here’s a bit for you to enjoy:

Beyond a Highland Whisper excerpt:


However, tonight Latharn was different. He didn’t go any further then the hungry possession of her mouth or the desperate, crushing embrace. Nessa sensed he needed this night to be different. His body tensed beneath her touch, he restrained his caress as if he wanted her to reason rather than just shatter into mindless bliss.

He raised his head and gazed into her eyes. Nessa flinched at the depths of pain and frustration etched in his face. He struggled, trying to communicate, to connect with her deepest emotions without the use of words. He took his palm, flattened it against his heart then placed it upon her chest. His brows drawn together in a questioning frown, he tilted his head and waited for a sign that she understood.

Her lower lip quivered at the very obvious gesture. Nessa whispered and covered his hand with hers. “Are you telling me you love me?” Her whisper caught in her throat.

One corner of his mouth pulled up into a relieved smile as Latharn nodded and brushed his lips across hers. He took a deep breath as though steeling himself against his own deepest fears. He took her hand and repeated the heart touching gesture from her chest to his. Then he raised a brow and awaited her answer, anxiety filling his eyes.

A lone tear escaped down her cheek as Nessa stared at her hand splayed upon his broad chest. “You know I love you,” she murmured with a moan. “I just wish that you were real.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, pulling her into his arms to cradle her against his chest. Holding her close, he stroked her hair as she gave way to tears.

Enjoy your days, my friends, and remember - whatever will be...will be! :-)

Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press: http://tiny.cc/l68th
Amazon: http://tiny.cc/55d9j

33 comments:

  1. COngrats on your release and I completely understand your what if list. I think your what if list should read...what if they love it, what if its sells sells sells. :)

    Many happy sales to you.

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  2. Congrats Maeve! And I understand all the worries, but you're great, we all love you and wish you the best!

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  3. Thank you so much Dominique and Kate. I know you both understand my heebie jeebies. One of the best things I've discovered about "jumping" into the world of publishing is that I've made lots of great new friends.

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  4. I am gonna buy your book! I so look forward to reading it. It's exactly my kinda story! Yay Maeve!!

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  5. Maeve I am so excited for you. I can't wait to pick the book up and read it! How wonderful for you my friend!

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  6. Mary & Lizzie - thanks so much! I hope you both enjoy my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

    :-)

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  7. Maeve, I so know the 'what if' game. I did it two days ago. LOL Best of luck with your book.

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  8. LOL! Thanks Jill. What's that song? "I get by with a little help from my friends" ?

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  9. You have already done the hardest part. Way to go!

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  10. Thanks Victoria! Your support means a lot.

    :-)

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  11. don't worry, maeve, you'll catch your tail! congratulations on your accomplishment.

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  12. Hahahaha! Thanks Therese - I certainly hope so.

    :-)

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  13. Now you get to wait on those reviews :) Been there, still there ... but you survive!
    Lots of love and wishes for lots and lots of sales!!!
    Rach

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  14. LOL! That's what I keep telling myself, Rachel! :-)

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  15. I'm very familiar with the 'what if' game. :) Congratulations on your release!!!!!

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  16. Thank you, Julianne! And Rebecca - I bet you are very familiar with the "what if" game since your awesome release of FATED is coming up in just a few days. :-)

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  17. Congrats Maeve! Those 6 questions are the same ones I (and every other writer) ask myself before every release. It's the nature of the beast. I've loved the excerpts and I'm off to buy my copy. Can't wait to read it.

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  18. It's good to know I'm not the only one, Gale! I hope you enjoy the book. :-)

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  19. A big congrats to you. Thank God for supportive family. I wish you great succees.

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  20. CONGRATULATIONS Maeve. You have a beautiful voice. Believe in yourself. We all go through these crippling moments of self-doubt and are happy to have friends telling us we have a good story. Yes Maeve you have a great excerpt and your story sounds captivating.

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  21. Thank you so much for your bolstering words, Mona. They mean more to me than you could ever know. :-)

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  22. We love you just the way you are, Maeve.

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  23. *Big Grin* You are so awesome, Miriam! Where would I be if I didn't have friends like you?

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  24. Congratulations! Forget the worries...it is out of your hands. Sit back and bask in the glow of being a PUBLISHED WRITER!

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  25. Excellent advice, Nancy! I shall do my very best to follow it.

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  26. Congrats on your release Maeve! I love the premise, and the excerpt was wonderful. Silence that inner critic with a glass of celebratory wine! You have so much to be proud of. Enjoy!

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  27. Great advice, Cate! Thank you so much for stopping by and bolstering my confidence.

    :-)

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  28. Just adding my congrats too Maeve! I've been waiting and waiting for this to come out so I can finally get my hands on a copy.

    From what I've read already - I KNOW I'm going to love this story - as will everyone else : )

    Hoping for big sales for you, but I suspect you're well on the way!

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  29. LaVerne you are so awesome to say such nice things. Thank you so very much for your well wishes. It truly means a lot. :-)

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