I had time to write, but I did some reading instead. I came across this article in Texas Monthly about Colleen Hoover. (Please note, you get only one or two free reads from Texas Monthly, so click accordingly. I think it is worth the read, especially if you’re an author.)

I have never read a Colleen Hoover book and only heard her name a few months back. After all, I rarely read romance. Don’t come at me. Romance is a great genre. Writing a compelling story of any genre is hard work, and anyone who can get readers to keep turning pages deserves applause. The stars know we need more love in the world too–love between characters and love between readers and books.

Plus, I don’t have time for book snobs. Read what you want! Write what you want! (I know some amazing people who write romances, so if that’s your thing, your cup of hot tea, then I suggest you check them out: JJ Knight here and Fallon Brown here.)

Anyway, I’m not procrastinating on my own story to get into debates about romance. What interested me about the article isn’t about Colleen Hoover’s books. What interested me was her struggle with fame and attention.

Many of us putting books out in the world would love to have her sales. Right? Imagine that kind of financial success. Yeah, money isn’t everything, but it pays the bills. And I don’t know about where you live, but around here, the mortgage payments can’t be paid with friendship or meaningful short stories. And it can be hard to sympathize with someone feeling overwhelmed in their Porsche.

Y’all. Apparently, she has a beautiful craft room she doesn’t use. But while I don’t have a beautiful craft room, I certainly have craft supplies that have drifted into the Land of Good Intentions. What a crowded land it is.

But whatever. The profile on Hoover made me think about how I’d react if strangers dragged my writing or art on TikTok. Sure. Thick skin and all that. And you can’t please everyone. Haters gonna hate. Just ignore it. Keep laughing all the way to the bank.

I also don’t mean to suggest that authors can’t be criticized or taken to task for problematic or harmful views. Sometimes haters have a point, and some authors lash out in a heartbeat. (Gold star to you if you know who I mean!)

Now this may well be putting the cart before the horse. If you haven’t finished your story and put it out there, what’s to worry about? The odds of you or I being a Colleen Hoover are low. Well, they’re low for me. It’s a fine waste of energy to worry about something that probably isn’t going to happen. Yet fears, rational or otherwise, creep into our brains and hold us back.

Part of me was a bit amused at the idea at the horror expressed because Hoover hadn’t published a novel since 2022. I’ve published exactly two books, and the last one was in 2020. I have written a ton but published little. “Since 2022” doesn’t seem like that much to me, but given how prolific Hoover has been, it does seem like a drought.

What’s the point of all this?

First, maybe don’t procrastinate by reading profiles about authors you don’t read? Eh. No regrets! It’s a fascinating piece.

Second, for real, have a support network. Don’t go at this alone. It may have worked for JD Salinger, but times have changed. It’s why I’m so grateful for the friendships and bonds I’ve developed in the Story-a-Day Superstars community. They’ve made a difference that is hard to quantify, but it means a great deal.

Hoover said in the interview that some of her friends send her these terrible TikTok videos or reviews because they think she’ll laugh. She doesn’t laugh. Honestly, I wouldn’t either. Don’t do that! No wonder she’s stuck. It’s all well and good to tell someone to ignore the negative reviews, but that’s hard to do when you’re own friends send them to you as a laugh. Maybe she needs new friends? I dunno…

Thanks for reading! Wrangle those fears! Get some friends to help.