Comments on: Second-book syndrome http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/ Internationally Bestselling Author Tess Gerritsen Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:23:42 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: alexandrasokoloff http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-245 alexandrasokoloff Tue, 11 Jul 2006 15:33:11 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-245 Tess, thank you, thank you, thank you for this post - Book Two is due Sept. 1 and I am completely freaking out. Making progress every day but freaking out. It feels like I'll never finish, there's no possibility of finishing, because it's just never going to be as good as what's in my head. I know that everyone has this problem... but it so helps to hear again and again, from you and everyone else here -that it's just par for the course. You're right. Get to the end. So great to meet you at TF! Alex Tess, thank you, thank you, thank you for this post – Book Two is due Sept. 1 and I am completely freaking out. Making progress every day but freaking out. It feels like I’ll never finish, there’s no possibility of finishing, because it’s just never going to be as good as what’s in my head. I know that everyone has this problem… but it so helps to hear again and again, from you and everyone else here -that it’s just par for the course.

You’re right. Get to the end.

So great to meet you at TF!

Alex

]]> By: Brett Battles http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-244 Brett Battles Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:22:05 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-244 Amen, brother Rob. Amen. Amen, brother Rob. Amen.

]]> By: Rob Gregory Browne http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-242 Rob Gregory Browne Mon, 10 Jul 2006 03:19:55 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-242 Tess, I'm probably one of the two who talked to you about this. I know I've expressed the fear. And I remember you telling me to just keep writing without looking back. Oh, if only I could do that. Unfortunately, I'm one of those idiots who has to make a scene as perfect as possible before I leave it. I went through this for years with my screenplays, and writing books doesn't seem to be any different. Sigh. But it's good to know, judging by your post and the comments here, that I'm not the only one suffering second-book-itis. I'm confident the second one will come, but it'll be a helluva birth. Tess, I’m probably one of the two who talked to you about this. I know I’ve expressed the fear. And I remember you telling me to just keep writing without looking back.

Oh, if only I could do that. Unfortunately, I’m one of those idiots who has to make a scene as perfect as possible before I leave it. I went through this for years with my screenplays, and writing books doesn’t seem to be any different. Sigh.

But it’s good to know, judging by your post and the comments here, that I’m not the only one suffering second-book-itis. I’m confident the second one will come, but it’ll be a helluva birth.

]]> By: Tom Young http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-241 Tom Young Sun, 09 Jul 2006 15:46:02 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-241 I guess the "sophomore slump" even ascribes to writers. I've never been at a loss for words, especially ones I shouldn't write or say. Glad you overcame your ”second-book syndrome.” So that we can continue to enjoy your writings. I guess the “sophomore slump” even ascribes to writers. I’ve never been at a loss for words, especially ones I shouldn’t write or say.

Glad you overcame your ”second-book syndrome.” So that we can continue to enjoy your writings.

]]> By: Kelly McClymer http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-240 Kelly McClymer Sun, 09 Jul 2006 14:27:12 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-240 Thanks for posting this now. I really need the reminder. I just turned in revisions on last book and am beginning the next book--another departure for me (as if a cheerleading witch wasn't enough of a departure for book nerdy old me :-) I had begun to entertain the thoughts that always bind me: I'm not good enough to write this; what do I know about anything? Its so easy to talk myself out of writing a book that scares me spitless--and I so relate when you say "I learned that characters will only come alive after I’ve spent months with them — so I just have to keep writing and see what they say and do. By “The End,” I’ll know them." I know that, for this book, I'm afraid I won't do justice to my characters' stories. And you've just reminded me, when I needed it most, that I won't know whether I will or not until I get to 'the end.' And by that point, I'll know them well enough to know if I done them proud. Thanks! Kelly Thanks for posting this now. I really need the reminder. I just turned in revisions on last book and am beginning the next book–another departure for me (as if a cheerleading witch wasn’t enough of a departure for book nerdy old me :-)

I had begun to entertain the thoughts that always bind me: I’m not good enough to write this; what do I know about anything?

Its so easy to talk myself out of writing a book that scares me spitless–and I so relate when you say “I learned that characters will only come alive after I’ve spent months with them — so I just have to keep writing and see what they say and do. By “The End,” I’ll know them.”

I know that, for this book, I’m afraid I won’t do justice to my characters’ stories. And you’ve just reminded me, when I needed it most, that I won’t know whether I will or not until I get to ‘the end.’ And by that point, I’ll know them well enough to know if I done them proud. Thanks!

Kelly

]]> By: Tess http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-239 Tess Sat, 08 Jul 2006 22:02:40 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-239 Sharon, the most joy a writer will ever experience is writing that very first book, when the process is new and exciting and you haven't yet struggled with deadlines or expectations or bad reviews. It's a challenge to recapture the fun of writing the first book. Like trying to remember what it felt to fall in love the very first time. Sharon,
the most joy a writer will ever experience is writing that very first book, when the process is new and exciting and you haven’t yet struggled with deadlines or expectations or bad reviews. It’s a challenge to recapture the fun of writing the first book. Like trying to remember what it felt to fall in love the very first time.

]]> By: Sharon Cullars http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-238 Sharon Cullars Sat, 08 Jul 2006 17:11:48 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-238 Hi Tess. I had to comment because I pretty much experienced everything you recounted. Friends couldn't understand how I could be intimidated by glowing reviews and how it almost stymied me in trying to finish my 2nd book. I suffered a malaise through the whole process b/c I didn't have the joy I had with the first book. But then again, the writing experience is different when you're writing solely for yourself as opposed to being obligated to write and with a deadline hovering over you. Thanks for making me feel better about the process. Hopefully, I'll remember this post if and when I have a contract for book #3. Hi Tess. I had to comment because I pretty much experienced everything you recounted. Friends couldn’t understand how I could be intimidated by glowing reviews and how it almost stymied me in trying to finish my 2nd book.

I suffered a malaise through the whole process b/c I didn’t have the joy I had with the first book. But then again, the writing experience is different when you’re writing solely for yourself as opposed to being obligated to write and with a deadline hovering over you.

Thanks for making me feel better about the process. Hopefully, I’ll remember this post if and when I have a contract for book #3.

]]> By: Katherine Howell http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-237 Katherine Howell Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:01:32 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-237 Hi Tess and folks, I'm in the same situation as you, Toni. First book out in May from Pan Macmillan, and working (very) hard on the next one now. But for me it's a huge encouragement that the publishers love the synopsis and bought the thing! I figure, if they believe I can do it, how can I doubt myself? Hi Tess and folks,
I’m in the same situation as you, Toni. First book out in May from Pan Macmillan, and working (very) hard on the next one now. But for me it’s a huge encouragement that the publishers love the synopsis and bought the thing! I figure, if they believe I can do it, how can I doubt myself?

]]> By: Allison Brennan http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-236 Allison Brennan Fri, 07 Jul 2006 23:09:36 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-236 I had the same problem. Okay, I still have it. I was paralyzed for nearly two months after my first book came out. Shh, don't tell my editor, but I really didn't write much of anything for the longest time because I just couldn't. Then bam, I just did it because I had to. I refuse to miss a deadline. And it turned out okay, not total garbage. But now I'm on the next book and those doubt demons are shouting in my head that I am unworthy . . . I need a bigger shotgun to defeat them. BTW Toni, YOU had the answer inside, you just needed a mirror to see it. I hope you're rocking and writing now! I had the same problem. Okay, I still have it. I was paralyzed for nearly two months after my first book came out. Shh, don’t tell my editor, but I really didn’t write much of anything for the longest time because I just couldn’t. Then bam, I just did it because I had to. I refuse to miss a deadline. And it turned out okay, not total garbage. But now I’m on the next book and those doubt demons are shouting in my head that I am unworthy . . . I need a bigger shotgun to defeat them.

BTW Toni, YOU had the answer inside, you just needed a mirror to see it. I hope you’re rocking and writing now!

]]> By: Brett Battles http://www.tessgerritsen.com/blog/second-book-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-233 Brett Battles Fri, 07 Jul 2006 14:54:07 +0000 http://tessgerritsen.com/blog/2006/07/06/second-book-syndrome/#comment-233 Tess, it's like you were reading my mind. I've been going through exactly this for the past month. I get 20 or 30 pages in, then I completely second guess myself. Thankfully, I think I had a plot breakthrough last night! That plus what you've said here "just write without stopping" is what I need to kick myself in gear. Thanks! Tess, it’s like you were reading my mind. I’ve been going through exactly this for the past month. I get 20 or 30 pages in, then I completely second guess myself. Thankfully, I think I had a plot breakthrough last night! That plus what you’ve said here “just write without stopping” is what I need to kick myself in gear.

Thanks!

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