Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For February, the question is: “Have you made any friends through the blogosphere?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Louise – Fundy Blue , Jennifer Lane, Mary Aalgaard, Patsy Collins at Womagwriter, and Nancy Gideon.
My answer to the question
That would be a resounding “yes.” New friendships – virtual and in real life – are the cherries on top when it comes to blogging. I believe every blogger agrees. The conversations that ensue in the comments are what keeps us going. I love those interactions and I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few bloggers in their own homes, after following their blogs for months or years.
Terri of Second Wind Leisure Perspectives, Janis of Retirementally Challenged, Kathy of Smart Living 365, Donna of Retirement Reflections, Jude of Dr. Sock Writes Here, Duwan of Make Like An Ape Man, fellow IWSG author Ellen of Ellen Jacobson, and Stephanie of SV Cambria come to mind. And if we would have planned our visit to Toronto, Canada a bit better two summers ago, I would also have been able to visit with Debby of D.G Kaye, Writer and Natalie of Natalie the Explorer!
My book news
In my writing update of last month, I hinted at my first one-star review by a certain Lisa G. and how I felt about that. I also mentioned my travel memoir Plunge had been picked by a book club. Believe it or not, there is a correlation; an ironic tidbit I can now share, after my conversation with the sailing women of New England who discussed my book is successfully behind me. I was anxious about that Q&A after the group’s main discussion… Why? Because Lisa G. was the one who picked my book for this book club!
This is what happened: Lisa’s first sentence of the review was “Only reason I finished this book was because it was selected in our book club.” Huh? I was astonished Plunge had already been picked by a book club and wondered which one. As I posted some promo info on a sailing-related Facebook group, another member of this book club told me about their pick and if I would be interested in joining their Zoom event after the main discussion. This is when I found out it was Lisa who instigated the book club and who chose Plunge as its first book! But, she ended up not liking it and making that very clear to me in her review… The Q&A went fine. I was glad she was NOT the moderator. She only asked if I had fun experiences sailing as well. Many! Which I included in my book.
January was an extremely busy month for me. Again. This time with conducting interviews, writing guest posts, preparing a webinar about writing and publishing my book, social media posts, and a phone interview with The Daily News, the local newspaper in Newburyport, Massachusetts. A feature article about me and my alternative lifestyle will be published in their quarterly magazine around mid-March.
Five guest features with me were posted last month: an interview with Marian, a true story (the beginning of chapter one in Plunge) for Hugh, and a Q&A with Jacqui, with Jude, and with Operation Awesome.
More four- and five-star reviews for Plunge showed up on Amazon and Goodreads. The one from Suzanne not only compliments my book and is extremely well written, it also touches upon the essence of Plunge. She really gets what I was trying to achieve with my writing.
My cover made the final round of the “Cover of the Month” contest in January on AllAuthor and finished at #22. Not bad, knowing that about 400 covers were nominated to compete. I can now say I made the “top 25.” 😊 Thanks to everyone for voting.
Plunge ended in the top 25.
The biggest book event I had last month was my “scary” Zoom presentation for the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA). For the first time in my life, I was one of two panelists at a webinar. I created a 25-minute slide show in PowerPoint (also new to me), did some practice runs in my head, and was nervous about this for weeks. The recording of my presentation will be available on YouTube later this week. I will share a link to this free resource about writing and publishing on social media whenever it is live and on Roaming About in my next writing update (first Wednesday of March).
What’s next?
In August 2020, I began working on Plunge non-stop. Weekends, evenings, on the road. When I wasn’t sitting behind my computer, my brain was going 100mph. I felt overwhelmed and stressed. After six months of this (yes, it’s been that long!), I need a little break. But, of course, I have a hard time allowing myself to slow down. Yet, I don’t live in a camper van to work full-time (and for no income) …
So, here’s the compromise: Mark, Maya, and I drove south for a change of scenery and the prospect of February beach time. We are currently in Baja California, Mexico. Internet has been spotty to say the least. For good or for bad, I have had to let go of my daily “upkeep.”
This month has a few things in store: reviews of Plunge should start appearing in print, I hope to secure a couple of interviews with influential travel bloggers, I have a phone interview lined up with a major Belgian newspaper (not sure I’m ready to tackle that “market” yet or whether my Dutch is still up to snuff…), and I plan to target a larger audience, somehow. Stay tuned!
I contributed this post to edition #6 of the #weekendcoffeeshare.
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February 3, 2021 at 16:21
The beach looks beautiful! I hope you are relaxing a little. You need a break. I think letting go will do you good.
You are doing so well on the promotion. I’m sure the print reviews and the The Daily News interview will help Plunge take off!
Miss you guys!
February 4, 2021 at 21:58
Hi Duwan!
We miss you and Greg as well. It would be nice to have our buddies around. So far, we’ve been pretty much by ourselves everywhere we camped. Lots of driving days so far. Still windy and not quite warm enough yet on the border of Baja Norte and Baja Sur…
I’m trying to let go a bit. But when we don’t have internet for a few days in a row and the one-hour ticket of satellite internet I buy (to post this writing blog) doesn’t allow me to actually use it for one hour because of issues, I do get a tad stressed out. I’ll get there. Once Telcel works in a wider area. 🙂
February 3, 2021 at 17:01
Congratulations on all the success and accomplishment surrounding your memoir. I know how hard you worked on it and continue to work promoting.
February 4, 2021 at 22:00
Thanks, Ingrid. I don’t think you can ever avoid working as hard as possible to reach a successful result, when writing and publishing your own book. Well… for now. I’m sure there will be a time that I can just relax and let the royalties roll in. Right? 🙂
February 3, 2021 at 17:05
Just enjoy some down time.
So after all of that, how did the session with the book club go? Did Lisa ask any questions?
That’s great you are getting so many good reviews.
February 4, 2021 at 22:05
Hi Alex!
The book club conversation went quite well. I was more nervous than I needed to be. 🙂 It was the first time I did such a thing and I learned a lot – about how Plunge is perceived and about my audience.
Lisa did ask one question, if I ever had fun on our boat (she really feels the book provides a negative perspective about sailing, while that was certainly not my intention and nobody else feels this way) and I controlled myself to not bring up her scathing review or say anything about how one-star reviews reflect really bad on the author after all her hard work. 🙂
February 3, 2021 at 17:48
Liesbet, it sounds as if you are doing all the right things to promote your book. It’s always fun to learn new skills and to overcome fears. I am sure it will all eventually become second nature. Will you tell us more about Lisa? I am curious about the book club discussion.
Thanks for mentioning my Goodreads review. I also wrote about Plunge on my blog and have recommended the book to my own book club here in Florida. We have a lot of ‘sailors’ who live in the neighborhood and I think interest will be high. The themes you address will make for a very lively discussion. Will let you know if it is accepted.
February 4, 2021 at 22:15
Hi Suzanne,
I have added a paragraph to this blog post with a bit more info about the “Lisa episode” and if you click on the link to my writing update of last month, it puts things a bit more in perspective as well. Today, I have brilliant internet, so I could get into things a little bit more. 🙂
So, I wasn’t part of the book club discussion itself. The women (it was a book club of female sailors) discussed Plunge for an hour. Apparently, about 20 people read the book and about 15 joined the Zoom discussion. After their discussion, I tuned in and answered questions for about half an hour. It was actually a lot of fun, as I enjoy interacting with my readers. And, Lisa behaved. She asked one question and I saw her nod a lot as I got into stories and answers. 🙂
I’ve managed to link to your Goodreads review in my post now as well. I had to update a few things once I could get online without less stress. Thank you so much for suggesting my book to your book club. I am always happy to tune in after the discussion for a Q&A. Just get in touch here or via my contact form on Roaming About if all works out!
February 3, 2021 at 18:12
I did not realise how much work there is behind the scenes of self publishing a book. I think taking time off with Mark and Maya is really important for your sanity. Just unplug for a few days, you deserve it.
February 4, 2021 at 22:18
Hi Gilda! Oh, this writing and publishing project has been a crazy amount of work. It often reminded me of running our business! As it is, pretty much, a little business in itself. But, more fun (and satisfaction) than The Wirie! Taking a few days off over the weekend to start. Have a fabulous weekend, my friend!
February 3, 2021 at 18:28
Ditto what Alex said. Allow yourself to enjoy this downtime. You totally deserve it.
And, yes, inquiring minds want to know, Did Lisa G. ask any questions?
February 4, 2021 at 22:21
Hi Donna! Yes, Lisa asked one question about if I ever had fun on our journey (she takes my book as one big complaint about my life aboard) and I answered: “As I mentioned in my book, there were plenty of occasions where we encountered incredible wildlife or were surrounded by beauty.” And, I went on a bit more. 🙂
February 3, 2021 at 18:39
Where do I start? Great news about your book. There’s more to the Lisa G story–how to turn lemons into lemonade! Love the map in your sidebar so I can see where you are. You are a whirlwind of marketing! Keep it up!
February 4, 2021 at 22:25
Hi Jacqui!
Yes about the lemons and the lemonade. You know the most ironic thing? That the person who gave me the one-star review actually brought me extra sales by selecting my book for her book club. So, I do have to thank her. And, I agree with many others that her negative review gives validity to all the others and it must have left an impact on her if she cares to spend time writing up a review. See… I’m getting good at this lemon-to-lemonade business. 🙂
By the way, you just looked at the map in my sidebar at the wrong time, as I hadn’t updated it in a while. No internet. Now, all is okay. We are in Mexico!
February 4, 2021 at 00:18
One of the things I learned in the teaching world (perhaps you experienced the same thing), is there is always going to be somebody who is not happy. I’m not going to pretend it didn’t bother me, but I learned to take these things with a grain of salt when three other teachers told me the same thing happened to them with the same parent.
February 4, 2021 at 22:28
That’s right, Pete! And, I’ve had quite a few fellow authors tell me the same thing: it happens to everyone. Your comment also reminded me of when we ran our business and tried to do good by everybody. It is impossible. You can never make everybody happy. That is a fact of life. As we get older, our naive selves – believing that we actually could try and make everyone happy – evaporate into wise and wistful ones. 🙂
February 4, 2021 at 09:21
Wow! What a busy start to the year you’ve had. Hope you can get some down time. It looks like Plunge is making waves, if you’ll pardon the pun. By the way, I take one-star reviews as a badge of honour… it shows it still made a big impression on the person rather than them being indifferent to it. As long as they’re outnumbered by the good ones!
February 4, 2021 at 22:31
Hi Nick!
I’d like to believe Plunge is making waves. Or, maybe they are small ripples now, but as the wind in its sails picks up, so might the waves. 🙂 I love your “badge of honor” comment and I will wear it with pride.
My year started crazy busy, indeed, and there were a few other influencers for not the greatest 2021 beginning, but I will touch on those in my next (expense) blog.
February 4, 2021 at 09:47
I’m glad you are enjoying some down time. Last evening our TV as doing crazy stuff and I suggesting unplugging the darn thing for a minute or two. While I’m no techno-whiz, it worked!
Enjoy Baja California, a good time to re-charge those batteries. ((( )))
February 4, 2021 at 22:34
Hi Marian! I’m very much looking forward to the rest of February and am embracing the change of scenery, language, and focus. My take is: the less gadgets we have, the less stress and frustration occur. I will try to downsize a bit over the next few months as well. I started by tossing my defunctioning Fitbit and deleting its app on my iPad. I’d love to get rid of one clothes next. Winter clothes. 🙂
February 4, 2021 at 12:16
Hi, Liesbet! I wanted to get to you yesterday, but I had to complete my co-hosting duties first and I am too slow!!! I’m still not finished ~ LOL. I finished “Plunge” on Tuesday evening. There is so much I could say. I loved it from beginning to end. Your prose flows, and the book is so well structured. I could feel the shifting emotional tones throughout the book and vividly see the places you were visiting. Your book was about much more than travel. You and Mark had a challenging, love hate relationship with the Irie and the elements. The Irie was a character, at times an antagonist, itself! I’d be terrified to be alone on a small boat in the Pacific and to endure what you did. But that is secondary to the human and animal stories: so much heart, heartbreak, pathos. You examined yourself and the people around you with unflinching honesty and truth and delved into some deep questions that we must confront going through life. I read a well known travel book, Leila Hadley’s “Give Me the World.” She sailed in the area of Thailand, Hong Kong, and Ceylon. Her book may have been written with more complex prose and more description, but it didn’t get to the heart of human experience like yours does. And, by the way, your writing in English, not your native language, is excellent! I felt a lot of connections with your story. I’ve sweated border crossings, dealt with not having children, traveled in a volkswagen bus from Holland to Spain, gone somewhere completely alone and started anew, endured an emotionally abusive marriage (worse and with no happy ending), and other things. LOL ~ that’s the elementary teacher in me! Wanting to make “connections” with a story. And I loved Kali and Darwin ~ OMG! I will get to a review for you on Goodreads and Amazon, but I have a few must dos first. Oh yes, the single word “Plunge” is the perfect title, and you plunge into so much more than angry waves. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to give you some feedback on your awesome book!
February 4, 2021 at 22:55
Hi Louise!
Wow! Thank you soooo much for this incredible feedback about my book and what you are taking away from it. Yes, yes, yes! You touched on many great topics and ideas that I tried to convey, directly and in between the lines. You have no idea how happy you make me with your description/summary of Plunge and that the book left an impact on you. My entire audience is summed up in you. Where can I find more yous to suggest my book to. 🙂
I so appreciate these words and the fact that you will leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon. I love that you made so many connections and could relate to some of the stories and episodes. In the end, Plunge is a story of loss, love, and life. Or, as someone might have heard me say before: “Shit happens everywhere, even in paradise!”
February 4, 2021 at 13:32
Like Alex, I’m curious to know what happened with the book group and Lisa G!
February 4, 2021 at 22:37
Hi Annabel! I’ve added a paragraph to my blog, explaining a bit more in detail what happened. In general, all went well and Lisa behaved. I ended up having fun during the event, as I love interacting with my readers. I did wish more questions were asked about why I approached my writing a certain way or why certain themes were touched upon. But, there is never enough time! I’d love to do this again, though.
February 5, 2021 at 07:08
Her question makes me wonder if she actually read the book!
February 5, 2021 at 12:00
I’m pretty sure she read the book, Anabel. But, she expected something different. She’s a die-hard sailor and Plunge is not about that.
February 4, 2021 at 17:38
Wow wow wow Liesbet, you have been a very busy girl! Love the story of the one star review and then said reviewer suggests your book for her book group. Too funny.
Meeting other blog readers, has been great fun for us as well. A few brave ones visited and stayed with us in Sri Lanka and others we met more briefly while we were living in Viet Nam. But it definitely is one of the perks of blog writing! Strange how one can feel so comfortable with “strangers” after years of reading their blogs. Hopefully you guys will come further South especially since you really are already in Mexico. We will treat you to a dinner in Zipolite and the doggies can meet on the beach.
Wifi here to put it blankly, it sucks. Very intermittent and very frustrating. Oaxaca City though and many of other places were really good. So I guess it’s pretty variable.
Congrats on all your achievements, your interviews, your power point presentation. Well done for getting out of your comfort zone. Never easy to do, but great learning moments. So cool that you now have your product, but now of course is the never ending marketing phase. Sure sounds like you are very much on top of it!! Bravo.
Peta & Ben
February 4, 2021 at 22:45
Hi Peta!
The infamous Lisa actually selected Plunge for her book club before she left me a one-star review. I guess she expected a travel guide instead of a travel memoir. Since most readers love the book, part of me wanted to confront her about her review during our group interaction, but I decided to be wise and professional about the event and pretend I had no idea who she was. 🙂
I so wish we could meet you and Ben one day. Mark and I talked about driving all the way down to Oaxaca state (we are curious about Zipolite as expats as well), but it is just too far. And, too many crowded places to deal with on the way there, during Covid.
Last time we were in Baja (in 2005), we ended up taking the ferry across to Mazatlan and spending five or six months in Mexico in total as part of our (unexpected) trip to Panama and back. So, this time, we will just stick to Baja. We think.
February 4, 2021 at 22:21
Hi Liesbet! I guessing from the lack of your responses to comments that you are unconnected to internet…and you deserve it. I KNOW how much work it takes and you are doing a fabulous job of it. But you do have to pace yourself for sure. Your book will be here when you return and the rest and energy you have now will help you carry onward. And I’ll bet Maya and Mark are happy to have you all to themselves these days. Enjoy your time! ~Kathy
February 4, 2021 at 23:01
Hi Kathy!
You guessed right about my internet connectivity. 🙂 No Telcel along Highway 5 south of San Felipe. Now we are camped just north of Guerrero Negro, with cell service, so I’m catching up on comments. And, hopefully, on some blog reading as well. I was counting on spending two nights at our current spot, because I have an editing job to do and lots to catch up on, but the winds are too strong. The fine sand of the sand dunes we are parked next to is getting everywhere… 🙁 So, onwards we go tomorrow, potentially without internet again for a few days, so, a busy night. But I refuse to open my laptop.
And, you are right with your second remark as well – Mark and Maya have enjoyed my company during our daily beach walks. 🙂 Wishing you and Thom a super weekend!
February 5, 2021 at 06:34
So, Lisa was at that event? How did you feel knowing she’d be there and when she asked you that question, Liesbet? I think my stomach would have been filled with butterflies knowing she was going to be there. It sounds like you handled it very well, though.
There seems to be so much going on for you. It’s a no wonder how overwhelmed and stressed you have been. I’m glad you’ve taken some time out in Mexico (and in the sunshine). Taking a break is the best solution when felling overwhelmed. No point in trying to carry on.
Thank you so much for being a guest on my blog in January. As I’ve already said, the door is open for you to do future guest posts on my blog.
And congratulations on all the upcoming events you have planned, and for doing that presentation. I’m sure all your hard work is going to pay off.
February 5, 2021 at 12:00
Hi Hugh!
It was a pleasure to be a part of your blogging journey as a guest. So many people have told me that writing and publishing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. But, we all need a bit of a rest during these multiple-month marathons, right? 🙂
The fact that Lisa G. organized this book club event and discussion (it wasn’t her but someone else who invited me for the Q&A afterwards) while she left me the one star was nerve-wrecking to say the least. It was the reason why I was so nervous about attending. I had no idea what to except. My best friend said this was “brave” and that she would have bailed. But, I know from experience that some dreaded events often work out better than expected. This was an example of that. And, we shouldn’t always run away from scary things, especially when they are in our head. 🙂
February 6, 2021 at 07:05
I absolutely agree with what you say, Liesbet. I would have been nervous attending, but would have gone to pick up feedback. After all, in most cases, feedback always helps.
And I say the same thing about blogging – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. I see too many bloggers responding to writing prompts minutes after they’ve been published. If they’d run that marathon instead of sprinting, their response could have been so much better.
February 6, 2021 at 12:15
Hear, hear, Hugh! 🙂
February 5, 2021 at 11:29
Congrats on your book success and thank you for the shout out! Meeting you and Mark was a joy and we hope to do it again some day. Baja sounds sunny and warm and we miss our windsurf winters in La Ventana. My jaw dropped when I read that Lisa was the one who picked your book but left the 1 star review. I wonder if she sails? Of course things aren’t all perfect when you sail the 7 seas, what would be the point of writing Plunge if there weren’t conflicts and issues? We all need a dose of reality in our lives and take the good with the bad. I’m so happy for you and I’m still reading Plunge. I need to get back to it so I can add my positive review to the ever-growing pile of stars 🌟 Enjoy your downtime, you deserve it, Liesbet!
February 5, 2021 at 12:03
Hi Terri! Thank you for your lovely, positive words about my book. I’m starting to get proud of it. 🙂 I don’t think we will go as far south as La Ventana, but I’ll be sure to think about you once we are “settled” somewhere along the shores of the Sea of Cortez. Our destination – as of now – is Bahia Conception. It’s interesting that both of us are currently living in our RVs. Stay warm!
February 5, 2021 at 13:15
Liesbet that sounds like one intense month but lots of success too. Glad the book club discussion went all right, even with the one star reviewer. Glad you are having some down time in one of our favourite places in the world. looking forward to chatting more about the best ways to share plunge with our audience.
February 6, 2021 at 00:23
Hi Sue! Thank you for your email back and for your continued support and praise for Plunge! I think we all need a bit of downtime right now – especially mentally! Have a wonderful weekend and more fun in your winter wonderland. 🙂
February 5, 2021 at 18:09
After reading about how busy you’ve been, I concur with the others that you definitely deserve a break! Sometimes (no matter how frustrating it can be) having iffy internet can be a blessing. Of course, you know that if you journey back to the states includes a path close to San Diego, you and Mark are required to stop by 🙂 Lisa’s review – and the possible reason behind it – reminds me a bit of recipe reviews that start something like… “I hated this dish. I substituted carrots for peas, chicken for beef, ginger for basil, etc.” If her expectation was X and she got Y, that doesn’t mean that X was bad and deserves a negative review. Oh well, you can’t please everyone.
February 6, 2021 at 00:28
Here’s the thing with internet versus Liesbet, Janis: either it works or it doesn’t, at which point, you have to let go and relax and enjoy not having it. It’s when the internet pretends to work (getting your hopes up) and then it doesn’t, frustration sets in. I’m fine with slow internet and sporadic internet, because this still means internet. 🙂
I totally agree with your stance on the one-star review in Lisa’s case. I thought it incredibly “strong” to decide on a one-star review, despite the book being well written. A two- or three-star one, in this case, would be better “deserved.” Oh well indeed…
By the way, whenever we end up driving to or close to San Diego, we will swing by. Promise. We want to see you and Paul and our friend Amy again, whenever it’s possible. Have a wonderful weekend!
February 6, 2021 at 12:34
I’m thrilled with your success. It gives the rest of us some hope. 🙂
February 6, 2021 at 13:16
Define success… 🙂 I’ve been busy and worked hard for years on Plunge. I’ve been around on the internet to promote, but sales aren’t reflecting all of this! As you know, Anna, we have to love what we are doing or it wouldn’t be worthwhile. And, I hear your struggles. Keep at it! As long as you enjoy it. 🙂
February 6, 2021 at 17:00
Well done! Congratulations on your progress and achievements. Marketing is the hardest thing for me; and the thing I hate and avoid the most. I’m so impressed by the way you’re nailing it!
February 9, 2021 at 16:32
Hi Diane! I don’t know a lot of authors who like the marketing process. So far, I’ve enjoyed every step: the writing, the editing, and the marketing. Problem is that all of this requires soooo much work, dedication, and time and it is hard to tell – so far – whether it is – or eventually will be – paying off. Financially anyway… 🙂
February 8, 2021 at 17:51
How’s Mark? There’s another story there. When’s the next book? Travels in the time of COVID?
February 9, 2021 at 16:35
Hi Connie! Good to see you here. Mark and Maya are doing well. Happy for a change of scenery, a lack of leash laws, and and abundance of nice weather (forecasted). 🙂 No next book yet. It took me five years to create Plunge, so it might be a while for #2. I need to focus on my travels a bit now. As far as that’s possible.
February 8, 2021 at 22:05
Look at you busy girl! Doing Zooms, interviews and making the book club – even though some troll burst your balloon of happiness. It happens. Your book is well received and a pleasure to read and the mostly 4 and 5 stars reviews tells the truth. So jealous you’re in the sun lol. Enjoy! And, thanks for the mention. One day! <3
February 9, 2021 at 16:37
Hi Debby! One day, for sure! We’ve been driving a bunch to reach Baja California Sur (the fuel is even more expensive here than in Canada, lol), but I think we have finally hit the lower seventies and the sunshine. For now. It has been crazy windy, but we won’t complain. As long as we – and Zesty – are not being sand-blasted! 🙂
February 10, 2021 at 09:16
I shall live vicariously through your travels and sunshine. <3
February 11, 2021 at 00:02
☀️🏖🍹 Almost! 😄
February 13, 2021 at 11:15
Congratulations, Liesbet, on all the success and accomplishments surrounding your memoir. Book promotion is hard work. You deserve a break after such an intense time to get your memoir published and now to promote it. Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for linking with #WeekendCoffeeShare.
February 16, 2021 at 13:34
Hi Natalie! Thank you! The last six months have been very busy and exhausting. Even now, I have a hard time to let go and am still looking for a balance between promoting my book and trying to enjoy my lifestyle. The internet – or better, the lack thereof – will make those decisions easier. 🙂 Have a lovely rest of your week!
March 10, 2021 at 13:40
Liesbet, I am so impressed with your hard work and dedication in marketing and promoting your book. But, knowing you and your work ethic, I’m not surprised! Thanks again for your interview on Dr Sock Writes Here.
It’s tough getting less than positive feedback. As a researcher sending my articles out for peer review, I received feedback that I didn’t want to hear many, many times. It never got easier, emotionally, but I did learn to take what I could from the reviews, both the negative and the positive, to improve my next piece.
Jude
March 10, 2021 at 15:47
Hi Jude! Welcome back to Roaming About as you catch up… 🙂
I have to admit I am feeling a bit guilty about my lack of work ethic and social media involvement at the moment, but it has been nice to take a break from the internet whenever possible. I’ll have to catch up on life, blog reading, and promotion for Plunge whenever I’m “settled” in Massachusetts again.
Constructive feedback is always helpful, but seldom available. Unlike you, I don’t have a writers’ group or critique partners, which might be a good thing to look into in the future. Having peers reading your academic work must be quite helpful, as long as the suggestions are factual and not personal. But, like you say, negative feedback or criticism is never easy to receive!