I did the final corrections on my novel. (Honestly, the two words “my novel” sound equally obnoxious and unbelievable.) It’s in the can, it’s cooked, it’s soup. In the past, my husband has described my relationship with my books once they’re done as “psychotic disassociation.” He’s not wrong. On the one hand I have this deep belief that once you finish something and put it out into the world, it’s no longer yours. It’s not a spiritual idea, it’s just a fact. It’s how of your hands. You made your cake. But I think the psychotic disassociation is also a product of/defense for working in publishing. It’s like being a doctor and operating on yourself. I know too much.
Is this making any sense?
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Betsy Lerner 
Bonnie Shimko
Perfect sense.
The only thing I’ve had happen that still haunts me is thinking of a much better ending after the book is a hold-in-your-hand thing. Kind of like leaving your child at kindergarten on the first day of school and forgetting to say I love you.
Yes!
First of all, I also cringe when I either write or say “my editor, my publisher, my agent,” as well. I feel like I’m standing in front of someone, preening and patting myself on the back, when, in reality I’m humble and grateful.
As to the psychotic disassociation (I had to look it up – don’t tell your husband but disassociation is a form of psychosis, it can’t be both. 🧐😉) it’s a natural thing, IMO. It’s all you (we) can do. Let it go and let it be.
I hope it SOARS!!!
I’ve signed onto Publishers Marketplace for the last few months looking for an agent or publisher. It is really when fantasy…my hopes and dreams …meets up with reality…the current book trends and who is really getting an agent and getting published. I wish I didn’t know but then…I have to anchor myself between reality and my dream or there is no hope at all. I think being published is still better than not, but maybe thst’s because I’m not. I hope Shred Sisters hits the bestseller list!
Be the best doctor you can be! Makes total sense and also… what a special advantage, to know ourselves as well as we do. I get the disassociative part. I’ve just ‘finished’ and want nothing to do with myself. Not really but I’m ready to explore the land of fiction and make believe just to give the me a break. xoxo, good WORK!
Yes. It’s hard to know too much. But the phrase “my novel” is far from obnoxious. It’s great. And it is out of your hands, but also you will always have it all to yourself.
“Is this making any sense?”
Yes. Perfect sense. As soon as I get something published, it is gone from me and I rarely ever look at it again (more on that in a moment). It is a relief never to have to look at it again, never have to revise it or look to it to see if it needs or could stand revision (“Did I get it right? At long last, did I finally get it right?” But there is never any “getting it right,” we all know that).
As for looking at published work again, I have just this week set off on a project to review everything I have had published (except the juvenilia, which will bear no review), with the goal of reminding myself of where I have been and have enticed others to follow, so that I don’t start repeating myself.
John C. Krieg
It’s also a form of postpartum depression. You can’t put your baby back in the womb once it given life out in the world.
I’d like to think the same way. But when your book is cooked and out there, you’re expected to work even harder selling the damn thing.
I don’t know publishing – only published one story and am trudging along with “my novel” which sounds obnoxious even though I’m only halfway there. But disassociate away. What a healthy strategy for building a few walls around your blood and guts on the page.
I don’t know publishing – only published one story and am trudging along with “my novel” which sounds obnoxious even though I’m only halfway there. But disassociate away. What a healthy strategy for building a few walls around your blood and guts on the page.
I have no idea how I commented under Anonymous and under the actual ME. Please excuse the redundancy!!