The awesome co-hosts for the May 7 posting of the IWSG will be Mark Koopmans, Joylene Nowell Butler, Elsie, and Lisa Buie-Collard! Make sure to visit them and say hello!
I have control issues. It’s the only way to explain why I freak out when things don’t go according to plan. It’s the reason I have been a pest to the people I’ve entrusted with certain parts of this production/marketing process for my novel. It’s the reason that I have to count to ten and take deep breaths before dealing with things that don’t happen or are cancelled.
I understand now why I am an indie author, because God knew I couldn’t handled turning my stuff over with no say in how it turns out in the end. I don’t care how much of an advance … ok, that’s not exactly true.
Anyway, I just wanted to reveal my control issues to the world, so people will be aware of why I react the way I do when things go wrong. I am working on it, but if anyone has any tips on how to control (haha) my control issues, I would truly appreciate it.
Do you have control issues? How do you deal with them in this unpredictable and out of control world we live in?
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
I’m bipolar and a little manic right now so not the best person to advise you on that. Lol! Other than to say, I feel you pain. 🙂
shahwharton.com
Haha, I hear you! I think the only way to handle it is the way you have been – deep breaths, and also remind yourself that setbacks happen, and they are usually only minor!
I probably should have more control issues than I do. I tend to be very easy going. If it’s your stuff and your name on the line, I don’t blame you for having control issues. This is about you and it’s important.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
You’re definitely publishing the right away, although now you have to deal with a lot of other things outside of your control.
I’ve finally learned to delegate. I wouldn’t make it otherwise.
I used to have major control issues in most parts of my life.
Learning how to let go and delegate some of the work load relieved SO much stress off of me.
Sydney, we’re kindred spirit. I couldn’t stand having an agent who didn’t tell me anything–like where she was sending my mss. (We’ve since parted ways.) I love being an Indie, but I still have control issues when one of my contractors don’t follow through. (Again, we’ve parted ways.) It’s your career. You have to do what’s right for you.
Probably another with control issues, though it hadn’t made the connection to my writing (let’s just say when I’m in the car, I prefer to drive). But yeah, tough though some of those tasks are (covers, for example), I do like having total control. Maybe this is one more thing that should go on the list of questions for deciding if you should go indie or trad.
Oh, I’m kind of a control freak too. You are so note alone 🙂 I think a lot of authors that are drawn to independent publishing have that in common. That, and a desire to see our book in print before we die 😉