Ah, so expectations of self, not the publishing industry. Got it.

I could (and may, someday) write a novel about that, Kathryn! I don't listen much to others' opinions about me - or my writing. Reviews can't destroy me. I had 417 rejections before I got an agent.

But I didn't begin writing until I was 43, because of my own opinion. I wasn't smart enough to be a writer.

Yeah, give me others' opinions any day. Pfffft.

Laura I've been staring at your last line here over and over. It intrigues me. If you check back to the thread, give me an example of how your expectations hold you back.

Thank you.

I do love that about her. 🙂

Eric thank you so much for making this point! A time will come to make decisions about publishing; this is NOT a primary concern. It saddens me that in this era of self-publishing, writing conferences are bending to demand and offering more and more marketing seminars. What happened to studying the craft? It's amazing how far that can take you. You stay on your path with my best wishes!

Janet this is why I'm not even bothering taking self-publishing workshops right now. Might I choose to be a hybrid author down the line? Sure. But even six months from now, there will be new information posing new choices. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it!