I have you to thank for spurring me on with my novel. The publishers loved it, and have given me a proposal! I'm so excited and feel very well accomplished. I'm very grateful for your channel! Thank you again, and congratulations on completing your book!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Oh man, that's amazing! Massive congratulations from me, and you're 100% right to feel accomplished :D

@lewisharwood3870

4 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Thank you!

@dadrionewade

3 ай бұрын

Tips to start writing scenes

It is a grand thing to let people in, and move around in the great depths of your mind.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

2 ай бұрын

Or the shallow puddles in my case :D Thank you!

Congrats on finishing, publishing, and beating back the fear.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thank you. Very much appreciate the support!

Massive Congratulations on your book release! I just released my 4th book. I write classy 3rotic romance. A big fear of mine was if I'd be taken seriously as a writer. There are so many subgenres, and authors in my arena often get compared to the lowest common denominators. But thankfully, the audience has been warm and wonderful! Always go forth and enjoy what you write! So few people actually hit that "publish" button. Thank you for your wonderful videos. I share them frequently with my writing circle.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Congrats on releasing your book and I'm really glad to hear your audience has supported you, that really goes a long way to offsetting some of this fear and worry I think. You're absolutely right, so few people actually manage to release their work and it's great to be able to use my experience of the process to potentially make it easier for someone else. Really appreciate the support!

Congrats on finishing ANOTHER novel. And on making the tasty video...intriguing. Re fear. I renamed it. Fear and excitement sit very close together, and I find being excited makes me more productive. Good luck with your novel. And thank you for all yiur help 🎉

@KierenWestwoodWriting

3 ай бұрын

Thanks Julie! That's a great approach to fear I think, I've heard Simon Sinek say something similar about your internal monologue, change it to say 'I am excited about...' instead of 'nervous about'. Thanks for the well wishes, much appreciated!

Beautifully written and spoken. Can’t wait to read an entire book written in your voice.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

🥹 Thank you so much. Wow. I really hope it's not a stinker!

Congrats, man! I've been looking forward to reading another book by you since Gold Fury. I'm sitting on about four first or second drafts, so I know the feeling. By the time I'm done with a novel, I'm DONE with it. It takes me some time to feel any emotion other than frustration. I've pored over it for so long, I'm over it. I think once I KNOW people are reading for the first time, the fear sets in. Then the Amazon ranking plummets. Then I shrug it off and realize I'm not in it for the money, and move on to the next story.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thanks man, I really appreciate that! Your review of Gold Fury actually helped me see that book in better light after I started to go off it 🤣 I feel the same, absolutely not in it for the money, just glad to have it out there. I just hope people enjoy it if they pick it up.

I've really let my writing lapse. I am ashamed to say I haven't worked on my book for such a long time now. Maybe it is fear of finishing it that is holding me back, because once it's finished I have no idea what I want to do with it. Thank you for your honesty about your own fears. Recently I have been mostly reading other peoples books. This teaser you put at the end of this video looks really interesting. I'm going to join your mailing list now and see if I like the first chapter. Happy Book Launch! 👍😊📚

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

No need to be ashamed at all. I go through ups and downs in exactly the same way. Might be a bit cheesy, but the way I look at it, flowers don't bloom all year round! Sometimes it's just too much. Thank you so much for joining the list! I hope you like the chapter in a few days!

First of all, congratulations on finishing your novel. And second, thank you for another amazing video. I’m kind of going through the fear myself right now even as I’m still going through the editing process. But hearing what you had to say has inspired me to continue with what I’m doing simply because I love to write. Thank you for your encouraging words. This is exactly what I needed to hear.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! Yeah, it definitely starts during editing. The whole time for me it sort of felt like something was wrong (?). It felt like an instinct was telling me to stop pushing, so I just tried to ignore and it we'll see what happens I suppose! Thanks so much for being here and watching and commenting, I appreciate it!

I understand man. We feel naked and vulnerable, subject to the gaze of others, who we imagine will pick it apart. But we return to the desk, take up the pen, and stare at that blank page, and on we go again.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

3 ай бұрын

Exactly! You you nailed it here ☺️

Congrats on getting the novel across the line 👏Look forward to reading it!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Appreciate you being here and watching :)

Juste à temps , pour me motiver suite à mes rejets des maisons d'éditions Merci ,félicitations et beaucoup de réussite pour votre nouvelle ouvrage!!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Merci et bonne chance!

I hitting that Publish button myself this month. I can definitely empathize.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

It takes a lot to get to that point, then a huge final push to get over the hump I think. I wish you all the best for it!

Congrats on completing your book! I am looking forward to getting there myself. However it turns out, one benefit is impossible to avoid. *Learning something from writing it* !

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

I couldn't agree more! This is the best attitude to have :)

Completely understand this feeling. I've been working on a high fantasy novel for so many years. I've restarted it multiple times and my fear is that it's not good enough. That I'm not good enough. 😐 I keep switching to other projects and publishing crime thrillers and non fiction because I'm doubting myself and I'm filled with fear over the size of the fantasy world. Every year starts with my goal the finish it. But I never do.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

When it's not my story this is really easy for me to say, but maybe because it scares you, it's the exact right story to tell? There's only one way to find out! That fear never really goes away for me, it just dulls a little sometimes. Occasionally it's almost like I'm rid of it, but it's never for too long.

I feel the fear, nerves, anxiety, usually stuff. The doing it anyway takes time to get used to, but while the fear doesn't go away,you get better at handling it! Good luck with the book release!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thank you, that's encouraging, I'm definitely hoping I get used to it! At the moment I'm just trying to avoid thinking about it where I can 🤣 I think it really says something about an author (and a person) if they're able to go through a process like this many times, never letting it slow them down. That's something to aspire to for me!

I only just published my first work within the last few months. It was definitely a surreal experience. I had been working on it for four and a half years, and it was a defining aspect of my life. I actually wanted to get away from it once it set in that I could. The nervousness comes in when I realize that people are actually reading it.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

3 ай бұрын

I can imagine, that’s a big length of time and a lot of work to put in. Hopefully it went well for you?

@leehunts4327

3 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting I’ve had some traffic around it. Jason Fuhrman read the first volume and interviewed me. Most are family members so far, though. And I guess that’s pretty crazy in its own way. I’ve actually had extended conversations with some, so they didn’t just brush over it or lie.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

3 ай бұрын

Ah, fantastic. Jason is a great guy ☺️ I’ve had similar experiences with my family (some of whom watch the videos too) and it is nice to realise that they’re genuinely interested.

@leehunts4327

3 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Yeah, it definitely is. I'll be checking out and reviewing your books some time in the future, I hope. Your videos definitely have a quality to them that is promising.

Thanks for your transparency. It is useful for us.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thanks, that's really what was hoping for, so I'm glad it's coming across.

If I were to describe my fear, it would be some kind of a black hole. It's quiet, but it's there. It sucks all of the confidence, the joy and everything you had prior to the writing project. And it come without notice. It can come when I am in the middle of the progress. Really hated it when it appeared at that crucial of the time. Thanks Kieren for sharing your experience with us. Oh, congrats on your book! So happy for you!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

It's quiet but it's there - absolutely. Sometimes it's so good at its job that you actually start believing it, and it feels like madness to continue writing. Then eventually it abates again. Thanks so much for the support! It's nice to know it's not just me! ☺️

Thank you for this. This was perfect timing as I just sent my first nonfiction to publishers and feel that fear trying to switch gears into marketing it. It's a strange feeling being done with a project and wanting to continue writing the next volume, but knowing the first still needs attention for the others to see it.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

It definitely is a strange feeling. As much as writing a book is always difficult, it's still a known quantity in some ways. Marketing and all the rest is a whole other beast that I really know nothing about.

Thanks for the transparency kieren! Ive been here since 2021 when you had just over 2k subscribers. To be on this writing journey with you has been an experience! Youve gotten me through so many dags of being demotivated and discouraged. Congratulations on completing yet another book! 🍾 🥂 🎉

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you so much for sticking around that long! ☺️ I'm so glad I could help even in the smallest way with your journey too. I appreciate you!

Cathartic and useful. What's next after I'm really done? Judgement? Regret? Did I rush to finish? I think we all identify with you.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thank you, appreciate the support!

Still working on my first novel and the fear has been gripping in the revisions since last year. Perfection has me second guessing my own writing being good enough

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Perfectionism is so powerful. It's a real Trojan Horse, because it feels like something positive and helpful (and it can be) until it isn't... If it's any comfort to you, I just read over the prologue for the book I mentioned and I'm still second guessing it! I'm not sure that ever goes away, so even if pushing through doesn't feel right, I think it still is. It's the only option we've got. Sounds like you've already got further than most people get, though. You're not letting it beat you!

Congratulations, it is a process for sure. Your journey is inspiring. Thanks for sharing

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

This was perfectly timed for me 🌞 I really needed this message!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

I'm glad I could help! :D

Great video. Thank you KW! I procrastinate all the time, and I know fear is the root... There's so much info out there ABOUT fear, but I think you're absolutely right in that we need to just get used to it hanging around. It can't really be defeated, because it's our own imagination coming up with new reasons to be afraid. Like a hydra where you cut off the head and 2 more appear 😅 ALSO this trailer is dope!! I can't wait for your book. If I like it, I'll shout extra loud, and if it's not for me, you're still a great person and I thank you for these videos 💯

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

It really is like a hydra, you're absolutely right! That's how it feels. Thanks so much, that's kind of you :) I was really hoping people might stay around even if they don't like it!

I've written a few books and numerous Kindle stories, but the 'fear' is why I have so many great projects that haven't been started.

Looking forward to the book. Feels like an intriguing mystery. I'm more afraid of not releasing my work. Once I'm finished with my latest books I'm sure it will be good enough for a few people to enjoy. Just that I know nothing about marketing or querying an agent.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

I've always found that part tough, I'm the same with marketing, I know nothing (and will probably do nothing other than that little trailer!) but querying I've done my share of. It's definitely rough at times, but well worth pushing through and doing. I've always been glad I did it, even when nothing came of it.

@ChancellorMarko

4 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting seems like trad publishing is a bit of a lottery and I'm fairly sure whatever genre my novels fit in they're probably not trending. With your experience in making KZread content I would think you have a good basis for self-pub marketing.

As writers we ultimately have to let go. We have to accept that as good as we can make something, not everyone is going to like it - and there WILL be those who don't like it, but in the majority of cases they are a minority. Push on - its all any of us can do, because if we DON'T, we'll only regret it later!!

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

Exactly, you're absolutely right.

Hey Kieran, always love your work. It helps me push me forward. How did you create the teaser at the end? Like what platform was used? I’d like to try something like that for my book.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

Ай бұрын

Thank you! The teaser thing is actually just something I put it together myself. I just cut out a couple of silhouettes and a background and made a video with it. It would be really handy if someone could come up with a template or something for that kind of thing though 🤔

It's a letter you've dropped in a public mailbox but can't reach in and unsend.

I'm finishing my book this month and I am scared AF.

@KierenWestwoodWriting

4 ай бұрын

It’s scary for sure. I feel (for some reason) like this is all just a big mistake and that I should turn back. But that’s the fear talking. We’ve just got to push through and keep going, I’m sure we’ll be glad we did (eventually). I really hope finishing yours goes well!

1:27 _"So I did the obvious thing.."_ Me: Delete the book? _"..I put on headphones and ignored it--"_ Me: Oh, yeah... I guess that makes more sense... Yeah, so it turns out this fear thing has gripped me quite a bit harder than I thought it had. 😅

@KierenWestwoodWriting

2 ай бұрын

Haha 😂 Definitely don’t do that! (But I understand the impulse).

@NearlyH3adlessNick

2 ай бұрын

@KierenWestwoodWriting It's been a hard one to fight, tbh. When I was writing it, it just felt like a fantasy. Something just for me. Now that it's actually done, though.... I'm trying to get editing money together asap so I don't actually give into the temptation and get rid of my work. I guess it's not the horrible novel I'm expecting it to be, but man, it's hard to actually believe that, sometimes!

@NearlyH3adlessNick

2 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting By the way, do you know anywhere that has good beta readers I could send either portions or the whole thing to?? I think that's my biggest problem atm. I don't know whether it's too basic for Adult or too complex for YA... 🤔 it's probably fine, but I'm doubting myself hard, apparently. I just need feedback, whether good or bad, to know what direction I should push into. This is all scary and new to me 😅

@KierenWestwoodWriting

2 ай бұрын

Whatever you do, don't delete it! Future you could feel very different about it. That's happened to me before. As for beta readers, I've heard friends talk about Scribophile before, but I haven't used it myself. Might be worth looking into. I think the basic premise is that you read for people and they read for you (I think?). It can be really hard to find people though, no doubt. I must admit I don't really send stuff to beta readers as much as I should for that reason - they're hard to find, and I always feel I'm burdening someone.

@NearlyH3adlessNick

2 ай бұрын

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Past me would probably be pretty pissed, too. I've spent the better part of a year wrangling this thing into its current state. It's just the flip-flopping emotions of "This is going to be your first book as an actual, honest-to-god author" to "This is the most embarrassing thing you could produce." And back again that I can't handle very well. 😅 I'll give it a look today and see what the go is. I reckon even just one or two people who aren't family to get to read it might help me think it's not just them "being nice" and humouring me. It might give me that confidence boost I need to start being a cocky writer, rather than... _what ever this is._

I feel like I’m sending off a child to college. Both sad, like the loneliness is coming for I will no longer have this product as company, and ecstatic, for I know it will be going on to do better things. Or not…

@intro2art

4 ай бұрын

But all of that means I’m in love. That’s why I feel the way I do. I care. Which means I’m doing exactly what I should.