 Goal Achieved. How Did that Happen? Posted by Kate Carlisle Feb 25 2012, 12:05 am
Last week, I broke the top 20 on the New York Times bestsellers list. This has been a goal of mine for years, and I did it! I hit #15 with my latest Bibliophile Mystery, ONE BOOK IN THE GRAVE. I had hit the extended list before, but this was the first time I hit the printed list.
Whooooooooo!!!!! Seriously exciting.
Five minutes. That’s how much time had passed since I got the thrilling news.
Why couldn’t I be the kind of person who proclaimed, “Next stop, Top Ten!”
I am so grateful to the readers who put ONE BOOK IN THE GRAVE at number 15.
Sigh…
I’m pretty sure being neurotic is a job requirement for writers.
Are you like that? Do you achieve a goal and immediately ask “how did that happen?” Or are you one of those lucky people who actually takes time to feel proud of yourself without allowing self-doubt to take over? What is something you’ve achieved recently that makes you feel proud of yourself?
By the way, I’m at Passion & Prose today, a Californian reader conference. I’ll check in before I go, and then will return toward the end of the day to respond to comments. TweetPosted in Kate Carlisle, mystery novel, New York Times Bestseller, NYT bestseller Comments79 thoughts on “Goal Achieved. How Did that Happen?” |
  
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It’s an honor to know that readers love Brooklyn Wainwright so much that they rush out to buy the Bibliophile Mystery novels as soon as it’s available. But still, it’s probably a fluke. They must’ve gotten me confused with some other author.
LOL!!! First, HUGE congratulations, Kate, on hitting the print NYT list at #15!! That is completely amazingly awesome and clearly well deserved! And yes! Next time, top 10!! You go!
And well, hmm… I do think I tend to be a little self-doubtful… Or full of self-doubt rather than self-confidence. When I hit a goal, I either focus on how long it took/how unlikely it’d be to make it again rather than saying, “Woohoo! I knew I could! Yeah!”
I did manage to clean out the living room before Christmas, but well, the next goal is cleaning out the garage, and honestly, it’s almost seeming more likely that I’ll win a Nobel Peace Prize ;p Bwah!
well done Fedora on nabiing GR… I took him to sewing with me today and all the ladies spoilt him
Fedora
Enjoy your day with him
Have Fun
Helen
Ah yes, Fedora, the blasted unlikeliness of us ever repeating our achievements! As far as cleaning… what’s the point? It never stays that way!
Take good care of the Rooster today! I think he needs a bath.
Congrats on the rooster, Fedora!
We always clean at Christmas, too. We have no choice. Rearranging the furniture to put up the tree exposes all sorts of dust bunnies and other problems we wouldn’t like guests to see.
well done and congratilations on hitting the NYT print list
I did win ARRA member of the year last year and felt very proud as I just plodded along like the snail sp never expected to wil it…. I generally would rather be in the back ground.. I am like that at the sewing clubs I go to … just there to help everybody
Wow, Barb, ARRA member of the year is an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations! Just goes to show… people notice and adore your helpful spirit!
Barb, congrats on member of the year! If you are half as steady and supportive at ARRA as you are here, you truly deserved it.
Yeah Barb! How wonderful that they had the good taste to recognize your steady supportive presence! :>
WOOHOO! :>
Good on you, Barb!! That IS an accomplishment! Congrats!
Whoo Hoo Kate I am soo happy for you and you should give yourself time to bask in the glory and yes next time it will be No 10. I pre ordered this one and it is downloaded on my e reader paitently waiting for me to read another great Brooklyn Derek and her family story I love their adventures.
I too am shocked when I get something done and well and there is some recognition and yep like you I think oh God how did I fluke that LOL, I think I need to be more positive as well.
Way to go Kate you rock
Have Fun
Helen
Thank you so much for the pre-order, Helen! Pre-orders make such a difference to authors because everyone at our publishing house (and in the industry) is watching those first-week numbers. Healthy sales mean that your favorite authors get to write more of the books you love!
Still… #15? Yeah, gotta be a fluke! LOL (I’m pitiful!)
Well said, Kate!
Congrats, Kate. Hitting #15 on the NYT list is awesome news. I’m one of those who always let feelings of self doubt creep in. I don’t often take the time to enjoy a compliment.
My sistah!!!!!!
We gotta get over that! How do people enjoy the moment without worrying? How do they do that???
Jane and Kate, I’m going to shake my finger at both of you!! (In a motherly fashion, don’t'cha know!)
You HAVE to celebrate! WOOT!! Why? Because so few others will celebrate it for you, you need to do it yourself.
Now, here in the LAIR, of course, it’s PARTY TIME!!! For our own Kate has hit the list withe EVERY Brooklyn book, and now is NUMBER FIFTEEN!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOO!!!
Ahem. So, take credit, ladies, Pat yourselves on the back.
Congratulations!! That’s just amazing & well deserved.
Usually if I achieve a goal it’s because I worked hard. So, the end result is the reward.
Mary, I’m envious. That’s such a healthy way to look at it! I want to be you when I grow up.
Are you like that? Do you achieve a goal and immediately ask “how did that happen?” Or are you one of those lucky people who actually takes time to feel proud of yourself without allowing self-doubt to take over? What is something you’ve achieved recently that makes you feel proud of yourself?
Congrats on your great achievement! Way to go! But don’t worry about how you feel; it’s not unusual to feel that way… that it’s all a dream, a fluke, that you feel like a fraud. That’s normal when you’ve been clawing your way to where you are now and your dream has been achieved, you kinda don’t know what to do with yourself next – right?
This has been happening to me lately with a few things. I never thought I’d be attracted to another man for as long as I live… but last year, around September, I found myself unable to sleep, almost unable to eat and thinking constantly about one guy. Yep, I was heading towards that familiar feeling I used to get at school when I liked guy… and I thought it was a crush; until one of my friends told me what everyone else already knew! I was in love with somebody!
Then December came around and it was my turn to be published… I was so stoked I didn’t know what to do! I wasn’t being paid for it, but it was fun to get my work out on the net for once. The great thing is that thousands of people know what I can write. And with ‘Graveyard Shift’ out there, anyone can download it off Bibliotastic.com and onto their e-reader and it’s cool…. or onto their computer too.
But for a little while, I did feel as though things were too good to be true. I thought the guy was going to act like he had feelings for me and then laugh in my face… hurting me (like many others had in my life). And I thought that after a little while, the publishing company might up-sticks and fold. But none of this has happened.
So, don’t worry yourself too much… I try to keep myself on an even keel by stepping back and looking at the trees for what they are; instead of getting lost in the forest because I can’t see the trees due to being too close to the project. Just enjoy your 15 seconds of fame and love that bit of limelight… I know you do enjoy it; come on, you do… admit it
I do love it… I just don’t believe in it. LOL
Sounds like you’ve had an AMAZING year, Mozette! How utterly romantic and wonderful!
Mozette – Just doing a squeal here for your new romance! I think that’s the biggest cradle of self–doubt because it’s so close to the heart. Best wishes that things will continue to progress as you wish.
Congrats, Mozette! Woot!
I always think that something bad is gonna happen to me to make-up for the good thing that happened:) Don’t Worry Ms.Carlisle you will be #1 soon because you are talented and your books are good.You deserve it:)
#1?
#1?
Oh no, I can’t breathe!!!!!!!
Thank you for your kind words, Gail. You’re a sweetie!
Grins. Yeah, what Gail said.
But even if you hit #1, I’m not calling you Ms. Carlisle.
Hahahahah!!
(You’re so much nicer than me, Gail!)
Congratulations Kate! Next stop, top ten! Make it your mantra, believe it, speak it into existence.
My BF is like that, sometimes I just ask, “Can’t you just be happy you got what you got for a minute? Maybe I am a little like that too but I take time to wallow in the joy for a while…LOL
Dianna, I love that “speak it into existence.” I do believe that we create the reality we live.
Except for the #15 thing, which has to be a mistake.
Exactly! RIght on, Dianna! WE must indeed speak our goals into existence, believe in them.
And Kate, that means you too. And it’s not flukies or mistakes.
It’s fabulous writing, scintillating characterizations, and damn fine storytelling.
Thank you, Jeanne!!!! That means so much to me.
I’ll be back this afternoon to respond to more comments, everyone! I need to go get ready for the Passion & Prose conference in Long Beach.
Congratulations!!! I adore Brooklyn, the middle child wants to grow up and BE her, and I’m not one bit surprised to see your book on that list.
Yeah, it’s ridiculous, how easily those doubts creep in. I felt that way about a day after my 2010 GH call. I found myself thinking ‘oh wow, the entries this year must have been really low, maybe the judges were just tired and randomly picked a high number to just be finished, blah, blah….” . But those doubts are insulting, really, to all the other forces at work. So I’m going to shut down those doubts (ha! well, I’m really going to try) and give credit where credit is due. Whoever in the above comments mentioned hard work—absolutely!
So, Kate, One Book in the Grave is on the New York Times top 20 bestselling list because:
1- You put your very best into every book
2- Your readers love your work and share their love with everyone they know
3- It deserves to be there!
Gillian, I’m glad you’re not dissing your GH final anymore. It’s a tough contest, and you had something that five people responded to. That’s a very good thing.
Hear, hear! What Nancy said. Grins. She’s most often right about things, and this is no exception. You did an amazing thing by finaling. Go you!
Hear, hear, hear, hear, what Nancy and Jeanne said! You should be proud! (I can say that about you… just can’t put it into practice myself!)
Gillian said : But those doubts are insulting, really, to all the other forces at work. So I’m going to shut down those doubts (ha! well, I’m really going to try) and give credit where credit is due
You are so right, Gillian! And so well said. :>
WHOOP WHOOP and congratulations. You deserve all the recognition you get for your accomplishments. I have been like you all my life, getting recognized feels good for about 5 minutes and then the self pressure and doubt starts.
I have been working hard this year at learning to just say “thank you”. It is a process. To not come back with “thank you….but”.
Just remember…to all of those who read your books you have been a bestseller for years
Lori, I also tend to be a “thank you, but” person. I’m working on stopping at “thank you,” too.
What a lovely thing to say, Lori, and so true. To those of us who’ve loved Brooklyn from day one, the books have ALWAYS been #1 Bestsellers, Grins.
Ah yes, that “thank you BUT…” is an almost irresistible impulse! And for me, even if the BUT is unspoken, it’s felt. LOL! We really need to work to retrain our brains to be BUTless.
I’m cracking myself up!!!!! SNORK!!!!!!
Congrats! I still have a few goals to achieve and at least one of them is not 100% in my control. I’m so happy for you!
Molly, good luck reaching your goals! It’s hard when they’re not always within our control, isn’t it?
And that would be SO the writer’s life, right? So much of publishing is not within our control. Sigh.
However, Rock ON on those goals! We’re rooting for you.
I know what you mean! Writers are not at all in control of reader reaction to our books. We write the best book we can, promote it as best we can, then give up all control as we release it into the world.
TERRIFYING!
Running out the door but wanted to pop in and say “Congrats!” again for hitting the NYT List! SO FLIPPIN’ AWESOME!!!!!
Hi, PJ–Isn’t Kate’s news terrific?!
Thank you again, PJ!
Hey Kate!!
Congrats again on making the NYT list! You know how much I adore Brooklyn and the gang! Am so proud of you and happy for you!!!!
Hmm, self doubt, huh?
Well, I have enjoyed getting The Surrender of Lacy Morgan published. I think I have enjoyed the good comments and reviews for it almost as much, because one of my goals (god I hate that freakin word!) was to write an erotica that had a very good story and one in which all the sex served a purpose.
So, now I’m a bit stalled on the second full length erotica in that series, mostly because I want to do as good a job and am afraid I can’t.
Sigh
Suz, Lacy was not a fluke. Having done it once, you can do it again. I am sure of this, so just take my word for it and roll one. *g*
If only it were that simple. . . .
I’m with Nancy on this one, Suz. You wrote a GREAT book, that was hot as a match, and wonderful to read as well.
This, you are VERY good at. Therefore, you will easily do it again. You just have the “sophmore book doubts” which I’ve heard affects a lot of us. It sure did for me! But…you keep writing.
And I just know, because I have faith in YOU and your storytelling skills, that it too will be FAB-u-lous!
Oh yes, our own success intimidates us, because we always want the next book to be at least as good as the previous one, and to sell at least as well.
Which means I’m already panicking about the August release of PERIL IN PAPERBACK!
Hey Kate!
Congrats again on the #15. Those of us that have read the series are not at all surprised and know that it’s no fluke that you are where you are. Next book will open at #1
.
Yes – I’m securely in the self-doubter camp. Which is why I was caught without an acceptance speech when I won the 2006 Golden Heart. I hadn’t planned on going to the RT convention in Florida – but then I won their Historical Love & Laughter award and had to quickly make arrangements. I’m up for another RT award this year – Best Innovative Historical Romance, but one look at the other nominees assures me – they made a mistake including me in that group. So yeah – I’m neurotic in that regard as well. Could it be? Are we normal?
Donna, you didn’t look unprepared when you won the GH. I remember envying your dress.
I love all your books, and I’m sure you belong on that list of nominees.
Gosh, I’m agreeing a lot with Nancy today. as in “Yeah, what she said!” I thought you were perfectly poised when you GH’d. Grins. And every book you’ve written has been a delight to read, so yep, again, I’ll say ditto on the “deserves the award” comment.
Grins.
Donna, I’m wiping away a tear of happiness right now – no one’s ever called me “normal” before!!!
Ooooh! I just heard a pop from the kitchen. DH is opening a bottle of champagne. We’re celebrating because ONE BOOK IN THE GRAVE hit #9 on the Publishers Weekly mass market list!!!!!!!
Kate, Whoo-hoo on #15! Upward and onward! I have no doubt you will hit #1.
Speaking of lists, don’t you have other news to share with the class?
I am a lifelong self-doubter. I always figure anything I’ve done is a fluke and my incompetence will show sooner or later. I think a lot of women have this nasty little voice in the backs of our heads, maybe from being told over and over not to be conceited or put ourselves forward.
I did not have this problem about any of my karate belts, however, maybe because I could see and feel myself executing the required moves and knew I was doing them well. This was a strange sensation, especially about something athletic. I’ve always been a major klutz.
But executing a karate move is a more objective thing than writing an essay or a book, which are always evaluated subjectively to some degree. So is losing weight, come to think of it. The scale does not lie. I knew I deserved to see my weight dropping because I’d worked very hard at it.
Funny that the same feeling of having earned success doesn’t carry into more subjective fields.
Hey Nancy! Can’t wait till Kate’s back and we can hear the “other news!” Grins.
I loved what you said about Karate. I felt that way about both running track, and Tae Kwon Do. They were measurable, concrete things.
Maybe that’s why a lot of men have fewer performance anxieties that women. They are encouraged from the beginning to do measurable things, like sports. We gals, not so much! :>
And oh, subjectivity….urg.
You should be very proud of yourself for your karate achievements and weight loss. Woo hoo!!!!
I think you’re so right that the self-doubts come with more subjective pursuits because we’re convinced that they’re wrong.
That said, I’m havin’ some bubbly to celebrate that other list! Top Ten on the PW list…. I’m breathless!!!!!!
Yes! The PW list is the one I meant. Yay on that, too! You’re up there with a bunch of heavy hitters.
And thank you for the kind words. I am endeavoring to replicate the weight loss experience, having replicated the weight gain experience. *sigh*
LOL Don’t you wish we lived in a world where gaining ten pounds was a GOOD thing???
KATE!!! You are SO AWESOME!! WOOHOOO!!
I’m absolutely THRILLED about your #15 on the Times list and I’m so excited to see where the next one jumps to. Grins. See, I have total faith in you, and your readers, that you are now an auto-order, auto-buy for so many of us, that you’ll jump up higher and higher with each book.
Why? Because you write a fabulous story, as I said before. Outstanding pacing, great, believeable dialogue. Yep. All of it. :>
So, WTG!
As for me, I’m getting to where I”m overcoming the automatic voice that says “don’t enjoy it too much, it’s a fluke” and “don’t get above your raising” Or as Nancy so succinctly put it, “don’t put yourself forward.”
Uh-huh. Generations of Southern Womanhood snarking in my head about all that. :> I’m ignoring them fairly successfully these days. Hahahah!
The doubt-demons do prowl, but you (and I) can’t let them win, otherwise, there would be no stories! Eeek! That can’t happen!
So, marching forward, ignoring the voices in my head that are about self-doubt and paying more attention to the ones who are telling me stories. Goal achieved. It’s an ongoing project of course! Ha!
Great fun being able to tout my friend and fellow Bandita’s books as “New York Times Bestsellers!”
CONGRATS!!!
Thank you so much (as always) Jeanne!!!!! I am above all thankful to my fellow Banditas for your friendship and support. The self-doubts go away a bit under your kind words!
Kate, I feel your self-doubt… all the time. But you really should take the time to celebrate your success! Hitting the NYT is an amazing accomplishment. So relax and enjoy it.
Me, I’m going back to self-doubting this book, which right now I think is the worst POC I’ve ever written.
LOL Christie! I’m going to “doubt” that, and expect another great book from your fertile imagination.
Go, Christie, GO!
LOL, Christie! I feel your pain!
Kate, so excited for you. This is MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR!!!! Couldn’t happen to a nicer person. Wish I could see you in person for a celebratory drink.
Raising a glass in your general direction, Anna!
Imposter Syndrome, my dear. You’re not alone. Super congrats on the achievement, which is – yes – very much deserved!
Thank you, Jennie!
YES! Imposter Syndrome is it exactly!
Woohoo!! Congrats, Kate! That’s fantastic! Which reminds me that I need to schedule in a trip to the bookstore in the near future! LOL
I’m more of the doubting that I actually achieved whatever it may be than doubting that I deserve the achievement. And then, once I get over that hump and start believing that it’s true, I break out the happy dance and the “Woohoo me!!”
Oh, the joyful happy dance! Then I start doubting that I’m dancing right…
Snork!!!!
Kate, mega congratulations on your NYT bestsellerdom–and so high up the list, you must have a nosebleed! Woot!
Please enjoy it for what it is–a phenomenal achievement, one that all commercial fiction writers would give their eye-teeth to have. And you’ve reached this height in such a short time, too.
As for me, they don’t call me Eeyore for nothing! If there’s a silver lining, I’ll look for the cloud. But I think everyone’s the same in this business. If we spend too much time resting on our laurels we lose what got us there in the first place.
However I think you should celebrate a leetle longer than 5 minutes, lovey! Have fun at the conference!
EEYORE!!!!! Don’t worry about me…. I’m all right.
I met so many lovely readers at the conference, Christina. Always reminds me of what I love so much about being a writer. Sure, there’s anxiety involved, but we get to connect with such amazing, warm-hearted readers.
I’m on my second glass of champagne. Am I getting too mushy?
Ok Brooklyn and Derek, Guru Bob and Gabriel got me through jury duty.
You deserve every accolade you get! Woohoo, congrats, mosel tov….get back to killing off Minka!
As to neurotic? I’ll let you know after I write my next piece of “ugh”
Aw, thank you, Joan!
Congratulations on nabbing the GR, Fedora!
Congratulations, Kate!! Got my fingers, toes,
and eyes crossed that you do get to #10 on
the llist and farther!!! Love your books!
Pat Cochran
Thank you so much, Pat!
Fedora is on the GR’s Top Ten list! How’s that for an accomplishment?
KATE !!!!!! SO excited for you! And yes, my dear, you DO deserve this! The Bibliophile series is amazing and such wonderful reads! They are one of my very favorite rainy Sunday afternoon guilty pleasures!
I am the queen of imposter syndrome. I got it every single time I ever stepped off the stage after a performance. In fact, my voice coach refused to allow me to listen to recordings of any of my performances until at least a week had passed. If I listened right after the performance all I heard was the bad stuff.
I am afraid I am the same about my writing. I tend to second guess every contest final. BUT I am trying to get better about it.
Oh, ACK! I hate listening to recordings of myself! How can voiceover actors stand it???
Congratulatiosn Kate and time to celebrate it