To Be Steampunk, Or Not To Be...Is Not the Damn Question

Okay so just a quick post that had been on my mind for a while but I was in two minds as to whether I should blog about it...and here I am.

A month ago I suffered a severe case of "OMFG my book is absolute rubbish, what the hell have I written? Why did I waste my time on this? I HAVE to start over." 

Why? 
Because I wanted to know if my book would be deemed as Steampunk Fantasy Romance and I sought the opinion of another writer. 
Firstly, there's absolutely nothing wrong with seeking opinions or thoughts from fellow writers or readers.
Secondly, I respect the opinions and feedback I'm given (as long as it's constructive).
Where I went wrong was how I reacted to the feedback - which had been a complete vivisection of my world I'd built. On the outside I was calm but on the inside - the minute I was behind closed doors - I was one hyperventilating mess.

​I was immediately on call to my editor like a panicking Patricia second guessing everything I'd created and all it took from her to get me to settle was a simple: "I wouldn't class your book as Steampunk, I'd class it as having steampunk elements within a world you've given a nice twist to."
Sound.
To the point.
Instant relief.

It's no secret that I'm absolutely taken with everything Steampunk (the fashion, music, style, art, machines, romance) as also expressed in my blog post a couple years ago, but I have to remind myself that this is NOT a series were steampunk is a predominant figure.
My world just has unique steampunk elements that make it magical and fun.

The reason I'm underlining this in a blog post is for 2 reasons:
1) I want potential readers to understand what to expect if they decide to purchase my book.
2) I will no doubt have readers who won't like this series and will have a lot to say about it and others that will enjoy it and understand it.

I'd like to think I've worked hard to cover any potential causes for confusion but regardless, I have to gear myself up for the not-so-great reviews.

I just needed to get that off my chest. 
Oh but definite lesson learnt...I definitely need to woo-sah and remember that I know my world and not to be so affected by the negative critique that may or may not come my way.

Okay done! Rant over!

S.R
X

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