Guest author: Sarah Brentyn – Where I Spin Self Doubt Into a Post

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Sue Vincent

I feel I should put my best foot forward here. Instead, I’m going to go ahead and say I’m having some sort of attack.

Panic?

Perhaps.

I can churn out posts with the best of them. But writing for someone else’s blog is just… It’s like cooking in someone else’s kitchen, you know? And worse yet, they’re going to serve whatever you make for dinner. To a party of twenty.

So, about now, you’re asking yourself “What’s all this?” And wondering what I’m going on about. Since I don’t really know, I’ll continue on, as usual, in my pantser style.

Sit. Have a cuppa with me, and let’s talk about guest posts.

What the hell? She’s writing a guest post about guest posts? I know, right? Bear with me.

It’s intimidating. You’re sharing your writing in a space that’s not yours.

Every blogger who interviews, hosts other writers, provides promos, and the like has his or her own set of rules or preferences.

How do you approach them? What topics are interesting? Appropriate? Should you return and reply to comments or do they put police tape up around their comment section? Exactly how offended are they by swears?

Some of you have experienced the torture of submitting a piece for publication or searching for an agent. There are easy-going editors and agents and there are, um…not.

I’ve come across the ones who demand Georgia font, size 11, left justified (no indents), single space with double spacing between paragraphs, a complete recitation of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 over Skype, and proof of my ability to spin straw into gold. Alas, I can only recite Jabberwocky.

Then there are the ones who ask that you please spell their name correctly.

It’s similar in the blogosphere. Only fair. It’s their blog. It can be daunting, but only if you let it. And here’s the thing. If you’re a writer, blogger, author, whatever, and you’ve been offered a guest post, clearly you’ve gotten the stamp of approval and have the ability to write a coherent, non-puke-worthy post. So ditch the doubt.

My best advice is to read the person’s guidelines and proofread your work. Other than that…write. Just write.

See what you come up with, let them decide if it’s a good fit for their blog, and get out there. I know that is easier said than done for some of us extremely introverted writer types but I assure you it can be done. I will not insult you with “If I can do it, so can you…” but, hey, look at that, I just did.

Get yourself out there. I look forward to reading your posts.

“Testing…”

*taps mic*

“‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe…”

Find and follow Sarah

Amazon author page US and UK

Lemon Shark and Lemon Shark Reef Blogs

Twitter@SarahBrentyn

Goodreads   Google+    Pinterest   Website

About the author

Sarah Brentyn is an introvert who believes anything can be made better with soy sauce and wasabi.

She loves words and has been writing stories since she was nine years old. She talks to trees and apologizes to inanimate objects when she bumps into them.

When she’s not writing, you can find her strolling through cemeteries or searching for fairies.

She hopes to build a vacation home in Narnia someday. In the meantime, she lives with her family and a rainbow-colored, wooden cat who is secretly a Guardian.

Hinting at Shadows

No One Escapes Life Unscathed

Delve into the deeper reaches of the human condition and the darkness that lives there.

A girl haunted by her sister’s drowning. A boy desperate for his father’s affection. A woman forced to make a devastating decision. A man trapped by his obsessions.

Experience tales of love, loss, murder, and madness through this collection of flash and micro fiction.

Take a peek behind the smile of a stranger. Get a glimpse inside the heart of a friend. Scratch the surface and discover what is hidden beneath.

These stories will open your mind, tug at your thoughts, and allow you to explore the possibility that, even in the brightest moments, something is Hinting at Shadows.

Author’s Note: Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.

“She is a master at this genre of writing, with twists that are unexpected as they are shocking. no story exceeded 100 words and many, including those that hit hardest, were over in a blink of an eye, yet stayed with you, rocking you to your core.” Extract of Amazon review by Roger Waters.

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About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
This entry was posted in Blogging, Books, fiction, Guest post, Humour, writing and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

65 Responses to Guest author: Sarah Brentyn – Where I Spin Self Doubt Into a Post

  2. Sarah Brentyn says:
    April 12, 2017 at 17:41

    Thrilled to be here today, Sue. 💖 Thanks for letting me cook in your kitchen. (We can always get take-out.)

    Like

    Reply
  3. Nicholas Rinth says:
    April 12, 2017 at 18:12

    What a gorgeous book cover!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. adeleulnais says:
    April 12, 2017 at 18:24

    i say sorry too when I bump into anything, even myself at times. Great book trailer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Marcia says:
    April 13, 2017 at 17:13

    Brilliant post, but then, you always make me laugh, Sarah. This was no exception. And yet, you got the point across perfectly. Well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Sarah Brentyn says:
      April 13, 2017 at 17:46

      Aw, thanks, Marcia. Glad I made someone laugh. 😀 Also very happy to know I got my point across. I know many people who are shy and/or introverted and need to be nudged into getting themselves out there. *ahem*

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      • Marcia says:
        April 13, 2017 at 17:53

        Anyone who can say “brillig” and “slithy toves” with a straight face . . . erm . . . straight font? . . . has my utmost respect and affection. 😀 And hopefully, shy people everywhere will now have the strength to do what’s got to be done. 😉

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        • Sarah Brentyn says:
          April 13, 2017 at 18:08

          I am quite serious when it comes to my Jabberwocky recitation. Not so serious when I guest blog, apparently. Still. Had to be done. Did it. 😉 I’m proud of my shy, little self. The shy shall rise and inherit the Earth!

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
          • Marcia says:
            April 14, 2017 at 00:54

            Sorry I didn’t tell you how much I love that trailer, Sarah. It’s gorgeous and haunting. (I’ve been sick all week, and was only vertical long enough to take a quick peek at 3 or 4 blogs I follow, so was in a rush.) Heading over to Amazon right now, then back to bed, hopefully to feel much better tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  6. Judy E Martin says:
    April 14, 2017 at 10:07

    I am nervous of cooking in someone else’s kitchen too, especially as I am so clumsy! You did a wonderful guest post, encouraging and honest 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Sarah Brentyn says:
    April 15, 2017 at 06:51

    Reblogged this on Lemon Shark and commented:
    I’m over at Sue Vincent’s place chatting about how nerve-racking guest posts can be. Sue is a sweetheart with a great sense of humor (and a fabulous blog). She gave me scones and let me be my goofy self so that was fun. Please check out my piece: Where I Spin Self-Doubt Into a Post (then think about writing your own…)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. dgkaye says:
    April 15, 2017 at 16:17

    Loved your ‘breath of fresh air’ honesty Sarah. And I also love the book trailer. ❤ 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Charli Mills says:
    April 15, 2017 at 17:07

    Brilliant — a guest list about writing guest posts. Sometimes, writers might be reluctant to ask so this gives a good framework. That’s the first time I’ve seen your trailer, Sarah. It’s gorgeous. Nice​ branding.

    Thank for hosting, Sue!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Colleen Chesebro says:
    April 15, 2017 at 17:29

    I love Sarah! Great post. Thanks for having her, Sue. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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  12. D. Wallace Peach says:
    April 16, 2017 at 17:57

    So glad I caught this post, Sarah. I love your sense of humor and pantser style. You always make me smile and have succeeded at a guest post far superior to anything puke-worthy. Ha ha. This is the first time I saw the trailer. Well done! Compelling and haunting. And you already know I found your book 5-star-worthy! Great post!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. Allie P. says:
    April 16, 2017 at 20:11

    My favorite poem!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. Graeme Cumming says:
    April 17, 2017 at 09:25

    Great trailer – hadn’t seen that before. Great book, too. Just disappointed we didn’t hear more about the Jubjub bird, because there’s nothing quite like a gyre and gimble, especially in the wabe.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. Ali Isaac says:
    April 29, 2017 at 19:44

    Well you did just great, Sarah! 😊 And I can’t think of a better place than to share a guest post than on Sue’s blog. 😊 Enjoy your weekend, lovely ladies. Xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sarah Brentyn says:
      May 8, 2017 at 05:21

      Thanks, Ali. Much appreciated. It is quite a lovely place to guest post and work through my introverted issues. Sue is patient and kind to put up with me. 😉 Hope you are doing well. 💖

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

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  17. Book Club Mom says:
    May 7, 2017 at 12:12

    Great to find my writing and blogging friend Sarah on your blog! And Sarah, you are such a great writer, always crafting perfection!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Loni Townsend says:
    May 9, 2017 at 16:08

    You had a great guest post, Sarah! It’s always a bit terrifying, trying to figure out what to write for someone else’s because you want it to be fabulous and then worry it’s not good enough. At least that’s how I get. 🙂

    Your comment about spelling the name right made me smile. That’s why I chose not to go with some editors, because they got my name wrong in their reply.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Sarah Brentyn says:
      May 9, 2017 at 19:03

      So, yes…”terrifying” and “worry it’s not good enough”. That about covers it. 😉

      Honestly, spelling someone’s name wrong? Pfft. I mean, we’re human. We make mistakes but, when it’s clearly not a typo and/or it’s repeatedly spelled wrong… I don’t feel like it’s asking much to get your name right. Especially if you’re not that demanding about a lot of the other stuff.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Norah says:
    June 4, 2017 at 11:44

    I’m so sorry I missed this one at the time – trying to catch up a bit now. Well done – nerves or not!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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