Agreed, Jake. I’ve always been grateful for that experience.

The one I was thinking of is a woman who writes mostly in the horror genre.

First, I’ll say for the record that I wish I had the creativity you both are talking about. I tried NaNoWriMo for something like 1500 words before waving the white flag.

And Devon, I hear you on the galley anxiety–that could definitely be another bullet!

I get that way with my poetry. I love it as I write it, but can’t seem to get over maybe it’s not as good as I think. The folks in my writers’ group really didn’t understand the one, but it published, so I knew I’d hit the mark. But the rest? Still struggling with the doubts.

LOL Yes, that’s a good plan. 😉

She was one of those household-name authors, and I remember thinking I’d give her a try. I’m just glad I stopped before I lost ten hours of my life (and shortened it even further with agita over the lack of editing).

But I still get queasy every time I send in final galleys of a book. I’m always afraid my copy editor and I missed something major. The times I’ve found errors after publication, I’ve been mortified.

Further to the above, the work gives me joy. Theatre and writing has always given me a joy and a purpose. It is far beyond any fears I encounter along the way. So I dig deeper and do it.

So, pretty much don’t read any Barbaras until further notice. (I can vouch for Tuchman, though.)

Ha! I’ll consider not-feeling-so-bad a mission accomplished, Paula. 🙂