Wow, I need to post news updates more often! You guys really rocked the house on Monday.
I’m hoping you do the same today, because I have a most awesome guest.
Many of you have joined the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group. (Don’t forget we post next Wednesday!) And behind every great endeavor is the spark of an idea.
My guest today sparked the idea for the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group. During an email exchange with this author, I stated that if there were such a group, he’d be an honorary member.
Ironically though, this author should be anything BUT insecure. (If he’s neurotic, that’s out of my control.) I’ve read a ton of books over the years, and every now and then I stumble upon an author who is pure genius. One whose words strike all the right chords. One whose words resonate. One whose characters will stay with you for a very long time…
My guest today is
Rusty Webb, an amazing critique partner, damned good writer, and really excellent friend.
Hi everyone. Alex has once again been kind enough to allow me to post something for you. He suggested that I talk about writers being neurotic.
Well, sounds good to me, I figured it might be necessary to determine my current state of mental well-being. It might be better if I asked my wife.
I walked into the bedroom where my wife was seated on the bed and moving all her things from one purse over to another. She does that a lot. I watched her for a moment before it became clear she wasn't going to stop what she was doing just because I was standing there. "Hey sweetie?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Am I neurotic?"
Silence. Not a good sign. I counted to five and spoke again.
"Did you hear me?"
She shifted a bit and stared at her new purse.
"Sweetie?" I asked again.
"No," she said. "You are not neurotic... but you do have issues."
"Oh," I said. "Issues, eh? Do you still love me?"
"Yes."
"Okay then, this interview is over."
And there you have it. My wife's assessment. I was out of the room and back on my laptop before she could say anything else. She was probably done anyway.
So, with my sanity assured, what does that mean about the larger issue of writers and their issues? Well, I’ll say this. When you write, the closest thing I can compare it to is being a contestant in beauty pageant. You know, you think you look good, your friends say you look good. But until you’re standing there, dressed in your bathing suit in front of the whole world, being judged, you just don’t know.
I think it’s that not knowing that can make otherwise normal people get weird. You write, and then you hope your friends aren’t a bunch of liars. It’s the not knowing that drives you crazy.
I’ve had the privilege of reading Rusty’s unpublished novel, as well as his novella,
Dead God’s Wrath. Dude, it’s time you knew the truth – you are an incredible writer.
Visit Rusty’s site -
The Blutonian Death Egg
Anyone else feeling neurotic? Struggle with similar issues? Fighting with not knowing? Just need a hug? (Ninjas give awesome hugs - just ask my wife!)
