What to Do When You Hate Your Book

It happens to everyone. Really. You're not alone. Here's what to do.

There is a point in my interactions with every client where they suddenly decide they hate their book.

It’s stupid. No one will care. None of it makes sense. It’s all garbage. It’s not interesting. It’s boring. It's nothing new. No one will ever buy it.

When this happens, I usually congratulate my client for hitting that milestone. It means you’re right on schedule, and you’re almost done with your book.

I understand this feeling intimately. I’ve written more than 40 books and co-authored and ghosted many more, and this still happens to me. And I’ve helped dozens of clients through it because I have developed strategies for getting past it.

Step 1: Wallow

Go ahead. Lie in bed with the covers over your head. Moan a little. Spiral. Panic. Review all the scenarios in which this completely and utterly fails.

Stay away from the book for a day or two. You need some space, and you need to completely work through that wallow. Use it up. Squeeze all the self-pity out.

Step 2: Get Your Ass Back in the Chair

This is where you gather up all your strength to re-engage with the book. Prepare to do battle. Gird your loins. Make some coffee. Put on your power sweats.

Think back to how you felt when you first came up with the book idea. You were excited and energized. Try to reconnect with that energy, even just a little bit.

Tell yourself it’s not as bad as you think it is. Remind yourself you’re smart and talented and brave and also cute.

Step 3: Look for the Grain of Truth

This existential panic almost always has a basis in something in the book that is not sitting right with you. It’s usually something completely fixable. Maybe a concept hasn’t been fully explained. Maybe there’s a missing section that’s in your head but not in the book. Maybe there are some plot pathways that just need to be readjusted.

Usually, there is something that started the tailspin. Figure out what it is (Ask yourself what about this book is bothering me? What makes me think it sucks? What is stupid or boring?). Fix it.

Seriously, it’s that simple. Often, you can solve this in a couple of hours.

When my clients come to me in this panic, I can usually help them find the grain of sand that set off this sandstorm. When your mind feels like there’s something wrong with the book, it tends to blow it out of proportion. You’re already dealing with imposter syndrome about writing a book. When your brain latches onto a problem in the book, your imposter syndrome takes over and decides it’s all crap.

You’ve got to reach back through the sandstorm, back to what set it off. Find it. Then fix it. And once you fix that one piece, you’ll feel better. But you probably feel uncomfortable with some other spots.

Step 4: Be a Handyman

Now that you have some idea of what you hate about the book and what set this crisis off, work on that piece. It may lead you to some other pieces to fix.

But don’t get overwhelmed. Your book is mostly done right now. It’s all there. You’re just fixing it. I say this to myself all the time. “I’m just going to fix a few things.” It feels like a handyman job instead of a demolition construction crew job that way. You’re just being called in to fix a couple things, not tear down a house and start over.

You already have a whole book at your fingertips. There are important and valuable things in it. All you need to do is tweak some things. Make a few changes, do a few tweaks, reminding yourself that it’s just small little things.

Step 5: Step Away Again

Now that you did your handyman work, give yourself a day away from it again. During this time, reassure yourself that you have something good, that you have done valuable work, and that your book is worthwhile and valuable. Dream about the book coming out and the good reviews it will get. Imagine people buying it and enjoying it.

Step 6: Do a Full Read-Through

Read the whole thing from start to finish. This will help you see the big picture and appreciate how good it actually is. You are going to see some things you want to change. Just flag them and keep reading.

You might also decide there are still a couple pieces missing (and usually, at this point, you see that with an easy clarity that is relatively stress-free).

Step 7: Call in the Handyman Again

Put on your tool belt and go in to fix the things you flagged and add in anything you realized was missing.

You have now averted your crisis. You’ve calmed the sandstorm. You have walked across the scary suspension bridge that dangles over the abyss of doom. You’ve made it to the other side.

You still might feel uncertain about the book - that’s normal. But your panic is over. You can breathe. And you’ve proven to yourself that your book is not trash, you are not a crappy writer, and, most importantly, you’ve gained the confidence that if something is wrong your brain will alert you (i.e. the sandstorm) and you have the skills to fix it.

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Fun Stuff

In My World

If you’re one of my clients who submit to Hay House, always remember a that no from them is not the end of the world. One of my authors just sold her book to Mayo Clinic Press after a Hay House rejection. There are lots of publishers out there who may be a better fit for your book!

I have space for a few more clients in my April schedule, although it is filling up quickly. This is the time to work on a book or proposal for fall submission! Please feel free to share my email with writers interested in finishing their book or book proposal: brette@brettesember.com.

Obsessed With…

I’m down the rabbit hole with Married at First Sight Australia. There’s a US version that’s not as good. The Australian version has more episodes, is more structured somehow, and is just better. To watch the latest season, you have to basically stand on your head and wag your feet in the air - you have to change your VPN and then watch it on Australia’s 9Now channel’s website, but it’s worth the hassle. There are about 30 episodes per season, so it provides a long-term distraction.

I started Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, which has great reviews. It drew me in immediately, but I am certain I recently read another book with a plot that involved a writer presenting another writer’s work as their own (I can’t remember what book that was), and the similarity is bothering me. It’s also super heavy on the suspense and foreshadowing, which is getting to be a bit much, but I’m still hooked because I want to know what happened/whodunit/if someone dunit. I won’t say more and give it away, but it’s definitely keeping me reading!

Good Goods

I’m getting through my mornings with Volcanica caramel chocolate coffee whole beans (decaf). I started by ordering through Amazon, but now I subscribe through Volcanica directly. My aunt was over for a visit recently and insisted I send her the link to the coffee I served her. I also like the dark chocolate coffee beans. And if I’m feeling over the top, sometimes I mix in some of the cinnalicious beans too.