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Hi Mark, your feelings sound all too familiar. I waited a long time before I dared to publish my chapters on this site. On the advice of a writing coach, I wrote my entire first draft to have a better idea of what I wanted to say before everyone chirps in and wants to change what I want to say.
Sometimes, I wake up with a sense of panic, realizing how worried I am about my writing. Like Bill, I do something else for a while. I've also increased the amount of exercise. That helps too. And then just keep writing and learn more about the craft of writing.  I strongly believe craft and persistence are the main ingredients of successful writers. Talent, here like in many other areas (I teach math where so many myths about the subject float around) is overrated.
While I'd like to publish my book (s), I'm at the age where I want to enjoy writing. If no joy is in it I don't want to do it.

This said another issue is coming up for me. Too often I find writers who publish their first chapter harshly criticized. And when not too harsh, in much more detail than a new writer can handle. Just another thought out there.
In short, keep writing. Stick with it. And have fun!
Christine

Thanks, Vern. At this point, I don't want to limit my publishing options. I'm just trying to learn the conventions. Those particular ones don't bother me. It was most interesting to follow this thread of posts. We can all learn from each other and support each other. Best, Christine

I agree with both of you as long as the uh's and um's don't distract too much. I liked to have the essentials summed up in a short manner, and like always get reminded of what I need to pay more attention to or plain change.

So many hard rules, and then when I look at published books, bestsellers included, they show all the things you're not supposed to do. At the moment, I read a book with the title, The Time in Between, originally written in Spanish, translated into several languages, and a bestseller in many countries. The book is about 700 pages long, a no-no. The first long chapter is written almost exclusively in narration and the following chapter got plenty paragraphs that aren't in direct scene, another big no-no.  And so it goes with many other books as well. So what makes a good book and a good story?

Congratulations! Now don't drive yourself crazy with sales numbers. Good luck and much success! Christine

How come I convinced you?

Thanks, Lynne. Looking forward to meeting you all.

Wishing you all the best Mike. Dealing with addictions isn't a quick fix. You chose what's healing for you.

Christine

Hi, all,
I'd like to leave the Shred group.  It's not my cup of tea. Is this the way to do so or is there somewhere a button or another method to do so.

Good luck for your endeavors,
Christine

Norm, I started with pasting the new version of the chapter on top of the old one, then deleted the old version which was now at the bottom.
To be safe, I made sure ahead of time that all the suggestions writers had given me, were transcribed on my original manuscript. I expected all the reviews were gone, but they weren't. I just didn't want to deal with an invisible version.