I've written and self-published 45 books! Let's chat! ☺

[@TeeAri]

Rejection sensitivity + ADHD + 45 books!!!💪🏿💪🏿 Thank you for proving that anyone can do whatever they put their minds to do!! Bravo 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! ❤️ It wasn’t easy, but it’s doable! 🙌🙌

[@XenoTUF]

I subscribed because of your ability to maintain a career from writing. I watched someone else who had hundreds of thousands of followers but only 2 books. If you want to be an author, don't watch a KZbinr, watch an author. The video quality may not be as "good" but the content is worth it's weight in gold. You brought you to the table, I don't need much else.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank so you much, Paula. I appreciate the kind words. :)

[@victoriavirgo]

Congrats on 45 books! That is amazing. I am currently writing short stories - 5,000 - 20,000 words per story. I have managed to publish 21 under a pen name so far. I have a long way to go and lots to learn but the journey has been fun. Happy Writing! 🎉

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you! Wowwww 21 novellas is A LOT! Congratulations! Happy writing to you as well! 🤗

[@t0dd000]

I retired from the world of cubes at age 47, and DAMN! it's the greatest thing ever. Even my worst day is better than my best day at a corporate office cube. Congratulations on finding your way.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Yay from retiring from cubelife! That's amazing! It REALLY IS the greatest thing ever and I can't agree more with the bad days in publish being 100x better than the best days in corp. Giving you a virtual high five!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

That’s awesome!!! One day SOON I’ll be done with my skirts and heals. 😉🌟📚

[@sherrihollister5588]

Congrats on 45! Wow that’s awesome! I get the self-sabotage. I do that too. I’m even the chairperson for my local writing group but often feel like these people don’t want to hear what I have to say. It’s difficult to get out of our own way. Congratulations on getting mentally and physically healthy. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thanks so much, Sherri! You know, I felt that way about this channel. Seriously. I wanted to make it for years and then one day I was like yes, I'm going to do it. And if no one shows up, at least I'll have an online literary diary. lol. You never know who you could help. I've heard the same things from different authors, and it just took ONE person of explaining it in a slightly different way for me to really GET it. But with that being said, I totally get it and feel the same way most of the time.

[@connielafortune1299]

Girl, you're like the Pied Piper, we would follow your lead because you're straight up Real! Congrats on number 45 and can't wait for the next 45. XO

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you! That means a lot!!!

[@peyton3364]

Congratulations on 45 books! I’m so glad that I’ve found your channel, you never fail to motivate me even when I’m in a slump. I was also diagnosed with ADHD in 2021 and I’ve noticed that the RSD is a huge factor in my work flow. I work obsessively over a project for weeks and then suddenly am overwhelmed with the possibility of no one liking it or that my sense of what’s “good” is biased because it’s my own writing. Then I drop the project for months, even years, before I’m finally confident enough to pick it back up only for the cycle to repeat again. RSD is a real struggle and so hard to get away from

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww, thank you! I’m glad you’re here! RDS sucks so bad. I wish there was some magic trick for us to get past it. The only thing I’ve really found that works is acknowledging that I’m doing it and asking myself hard questions in the moment. If the answer is “no one will like it or me or I’ll be alone”…I’ve just started doing it anyway. It’s helped to talk about it openly because I’ve realized I’m not alone. I’ve been trying to force myself out of the RDS zone, but it’s not easy. It takes recognizing it and trying really hard to push past it. Doesn’t mean the fear isn’t still there, because it is, but if I FAIL FORWARD, then I’m still headed in the right direction and I’m sure there’s a lesson to learn somewhere. Lol, that might not have made any sense at all. ❤️❤️❤️ You’re not alone and I believe in you!

[@peyton3364]

@@TheCourtneyProject that makes perfect sense, thank you! I love the idea of “failing forward” too, takes a lot of the fear out of failing

[@katrinafarnsworth7374]

That's me!!! Omg I'm so excited :) Can I tell you I was actually at my desk job (similar setting to the one you always describe lol) when I watched this video and was getting so inspired to race home to work on my book! I cant tell you how thankful I am for your videos. And congrats on 45 books!!!!!!

[@katrinafarnsworth7374]

So excited I forgot to leave my insta incase you need it lol its the same as my name here. Thanks so much!!!!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Omg yay!! I'm so glad you saw this! I just messaged you on instagram (I think)! Thanks so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it!

[@shadowswept1474]

You are so inspiring to me, specifically because you show us that realizing your dreams and succeeding doesn't make your life perfect. Life is hard, but there are amazing moments interspersed among the setbacks and problems. I appreciate that you post these kind of chatty videos along with informative ones about being an author. Congratulations on publishing 45 books!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! I appreciate that. Life is sooo hard and I honestly don't think anyone really has it all figured out. All we can do through our struggles and setback is our best!

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

I’ve said this before but have to again: your story is an inspiration to all of us writers! I’ve been uploading me reading my first book to my own KZbin channel, which is something I never thought I’d do. I’m on my way because I’ve been facing my fears and running for my dreams! 🥰🌟

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww, thank you! And omg that's so amazing, Jean! Face those fears and show them who is boss!

[@shellystar]

I have ADHD and hearing you talk about sensitivity rejection resonated with me. It's the reason why I have 2 unedited drafts because I think they're too awful to edit and no one is going to like them. I need to get pass that thinking. Thank you for sharing and congrats on 45 books!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww, Shelly. I’ve been there many, many times. If you saw my rough drafts, you’d probably think they were awful. But, a rough draft isn’t the published version. Only you see the foundation of your books when it’s just the frame and bare concrete. After you self-edit, send it through betas, and professional edits, your “house” has walls, paint, a roof, and appliances. Writing a book is almost like building a house. In the beginning, it looks like shit, but you can envision the final structure. Little by little, you work on it, until you’ve got this beautiful mansion in the hills. ❤️❤️❤️ Maybe that all sounded really stupid, but I believe in you! Every author feels this way.

[@carosbookcase]

Congratulations on 45 books, lady! It blows my mind that you've written and published that many books. But 6-8 books a year for YEARS will do that. All that hard work you've put in adds up. It's really motivating to listen and follow your publishing journey. Anyway, when you talked about fear of rejection preventing you from doing thing, I was like, "Wait! I do that! I 100% do that!" It just made me think that if you suffer from a fear of rejection, yet you've still managed to write and publish FORTY-FIVE BOOKS then maybe I can put myself out there and finally start querying literary agents. Because I keep finding excuses as to why I should put off sending them, when I know deep down that it's just because I'm terrified of the inevitable rejections. We are our own worst critics, so I have no idea why I'm so terrified. That was a longwinded way of saying thanks for making me feel like I'm not the only one who battles with an ongoing monologue of self doubt! ❤

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You CAN put yourself out there and query agents. You've got this! I 1000000000% believe that! :) Every time I post a video, I almost talk myself out of it. Rewriting my old books and republishing them? Fear of rejection or acceptance. BUT at the end of the day, I don't want to look back and regret not doing things. SO many times, I've had amazing ideas, sat on them, thennnnn someone else does it years later and I'm like WOW. See, if I would've just done what I wanted when I wanted, I would've been ahead. You just never know what could happen and it's not the end of the world if we don't get our end result. Something I've been telling myself is it's okay to FAIL FORWARD. Because either it works out or it doesn't, and if it doesn't, there's a lesson somewhere, but I'm still moving forward regardless. 🥰🥰🥰 Now time to go submit that book to agents!

[@carosbookcase]

@@TheCourtneyProject I teared up reading your reply. Thank you for that. "FAIL FORWARD", that's bloody genius! Even if I fail, at least it means I'm getting somewhere and learning how to do better next time. Okay, this lady is going put the worries aside, get off her butt, and finally hit send! Courtney, you're a wonderful cheerleader!

[@meragover4665]

I think you're my twin! 😄 Thanks for the motivation and CONGRATULATIONS on writing 45 books! I hope to write at least 1. 😆

[@meganlindenwrites]

Congratulations!!! Also, I loved the video and how relatable you are, even with all the success. The fear of rejections, the long hard hours of editing hell... Oh, yeah, that sounds very familiar. Thanks for sharing the good and the bad. Also, I'm pretty sure you'd get a group for that anthology just from all the romance authors who follow you here (including myself!). ;)

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Honestly, I'm just glad I'm not alone in the struggles. I think at the end of the day everyone who write, regardless of how many books they've sold or how prolific they are, goes through this. Well maybe not Stephen King, haha. But ya know! :) Maybe one day I will get over my issues and do all the things I want to do.

[@anaerobinson]

Congratulations on 45 books!!! That’s such a huge accomplishment. 😃👍🏼👊🏼

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@rujekosithole9955]

Hi Courtney, congratulations on publishing your 45th book! :-) Well done. You should really plan and execute that charity stream for the heart foundation, it's a great idea! :-) Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your struggles, we all need to take care of our mental health. I wish you good success & all the best as you publish five to seven more books this year! :-) Lots of love, R.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Maybe one day I'll talk myself into it. Book 50 is coming up soon! 😀

[@lisapenner-dang9673]

That’s fantastic! Good for you!

[@leialohahumpherys]

Congratulations on 45 books, that is AMAZING! 🎉🎊 I just started my KZbin channel and I love that you said yours is a hobby. I think I need to adopt that too. Thank you for the inspiration that you are! And congratulations, I'm so happy for you!!!! 💙

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! It’s much less intimidating when I treat it like a hobby versus a job. ❤️

[@cassie_hart]

Congrats! You are SO inspiring.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much!!

[@teralynmitchell5444]

Congratulations, Courtney! You’re a continued inspiration to me and I love seeing your journey! I love that you let us be apart of your wins. I can’t wait to see what more you accomplish so I can celebrate with you! ♥️ Also, I understood exactly what you said about the rejection stuff and self-sabotage. Sometimes I can see what I’m doing. I know I’m self-sabotaging but I can’t stop (those times usually mean I have to write 20 to 30k words in just a week or two or stay up all night editing a book). I can’t even say how many times I’ve talked myself out of something. For example, giving a gift is hard for me. I’ll think of the perfect gift and if I don’t buy it right then, my brain starts telling me it’s stupid and the person won’t like or they’ll think I’m a horrible friend who doesn’t know them. It’s that bad. But I do it with everything. My brain convinces me of a lot of things and I can talk myself out of anything. It sucks a lot because I can’t trust that any of my ideas are good. I constantly worry about getting it wrong. I also have this thing where when I get overwhelmed, I do nothing. When I can’t figure out where to start, I shut down. I don’t think I have ADHD but who knows without a diagnosis. I said all of that to just say that I understand and I’m happy you’re getting help to work on that. ♥️🖤♥️🖤

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww, thank you so much. I'm so glad you're here and celebrating with me! LOL, I'm so glad someone understands my craziness. It's so hard to break out of these and I honestly wish I had the answers. Recognizing it, I feel, has been so beneficial for me. Things that I've wanted to do for a long time, I just said screw it, I'm going to do it and if it fails that's okay. As long as we keep failing FORWARD that's all that matters! All those little/big mistakes still catapult you to the next level, even if it sucks. I'm the same way with overwhelm. Sometimes I'm just like, I think I need a nap and I'll come up with a plan when I wake up. LOL.

[@teralynmitchell5444]

@@TheCourtneyProject I love “failing forward.” I think I’m going to have to start using this. You’ll get better at it. Recognizing it is a huge step and maybe you’ll start being able to put a stop to the line of thinking that makes you not do something now that you understand what it is and why it’s happening. And I’ll always be here rooting you on! I love seeing you excel and I can’t wait to see how high you go. The sky’s the limit for you and I truly believe that ♥️

[@MargaretPinard]

That 'no one will show up energy' is real, and I've had it, and I've had no one show up. It's rough, and it takes some grit to bounce back. Still out here recklessly hoping, each time! 💖💪🏽🤗

[@TheCourtneyProject]

It really is real a whole vibe and a lot of the time I feel ridiculous because it's a real fear. I'm sorry that you've had no one show up, I've been there too. It was usually from my family (not my parents) who never really supported me growing up. When I graduated from college, the only people who watched me watch were my parents, brother, and Will. I played sports and never had family watch. I did theatre and they never showed up for that. I've really been trying to unpack WHY I feel that way constantly while trying to stop that voice. At the end of the day, I think it stems from childhood trauma. My ADHD just enflames. it. WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS!

[@MargaretPinard]

@@TheCourtneyProject yes! 🤗💜🙌🏽

[@dawnmcmurray8535]

I feel the same way. Have my whole life.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Glad it’s not just me! ❤️❤️❤️ We’re making it though!

[@rosewaterconservatory]

Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much!

[@جودالغادري]

Hey Courtney! You are an inspiration. I'm writing my first ebook on deception. (17k draft zero) congrats on your 45 books. Ur ADHD stands amazing delightful humble diligent. Merci!!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you! That’s amazing!! 17k isn’t anything to laugh at! Wishing you all the success. ❤️

[@vanessaraccio2821]

Congratulations on 45 books! You are a complete inspiration to me and I'm here to tell you you're not alone in the ups and downs. It's talks like this that remind me we're all a little damaged together and that's the beauty of this community. Cheers to 45 more because you GOT this!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Aww, thanks so much, Vanessa. Yes, I think we are all a little damaged and healing together in our own way. As long as we can keep failing forward, that's all that matters. :) Omg...can't imagine 100 books published. When that happens, I'm going to have to celebrate big time!

[@creativecareer1133]

Fantastic ! Congratulations, You must be fantastic to be able to do 45 books wow!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! ❤️ Just relentless, that’s all. ☺️

[@theekhalilabre]

That's amazing!! 🥳😃

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SDHuston]

You have had such a great accomplishments and will continue having such great successes! You are an inspiration for all of us trying to follow a similar path. Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

[@nohea_robertson]

Congratulations on 45 books! Wow that's awesome. Funny you ended the video talking about book covers. My nephew's gf created one for me and just sent me a picture of it. I've been trying to contact her because I'm hoping to publish my first book by Spring/Summer and I need the file or whatever it is to upload it. Can you tell I'm not very techie? lol I'm about to hire someone else to get it done for me, but I don't want to be mean. Sorry I'm venting lol. I just wanted to congratulate you and not whine.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! Lol, omg. Honestly, I’d personally search for someone else. I’ve found that I can’t work with people that I know because the personal relationship affects the professional one and I tend to not be a priority. So yeah, I feel you!!!

[@nohea_robertson]

@@TheCourtneyProject yeah, this is a hard lesson to learn.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

@@nohea_robertson Better to learn it now than later though! Silver lining :)

[@gailm.walton2153]

Congratulations Courtney! You are AMAZING! Thank you for continuing to inspire those of us who are beginning our literary journey. I appreciate your authenticity. Celebrate each of your accomplishments my friend...You deserve it!🎉🎉🎉

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thanks so much, Gail! So glad you're here! 😚

[@kimberlymullins5971]

wow!! congrats! Did you frame your USA today ?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Lol, I actually didn’t. 😂😂😂 Maybe I should!

[@kimberlymullins5971]

@@TheCourtneyProject definitely you should!! It is an accomplishment.

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2021 as well (at the beginning of the year, around Feb-March, I think). I've learned so much about myself this past year, including why I have such a hard time finishing projects. The longer a project takes to complete or the harder it is, the more likely it is I'm going to end up abandoning it, unless I have external pressure on me to finish. And we all know novels are hard to write and take forever to complete. But congrats on publishing book 45! That's amazing! I just published my first book (non-fiction, ebook) last year, still working on my novel. I'm currently in editing hell right now. 😩 You'll have to share all your secrets. Actually, I've been wanting to do a collab video with someone about tips to help ADHD writers, would that be something you'd be interested in?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I used to do the same thing with abandoning projects that my impulsivity forced me to start. Haha that’s my shiny object syndrome! Aww, congrats for publishing and I’ll send wine and chocolate for editing hell. 😂😂 Oh, I would be honored to collaborate with you! 🙌

[@VanessaMarieBooks]

@@TheCourtneyProject Yes! Shiny object syndrome. I posted one time in one of my ADHD FB groups that ADHD should really be renamed Shiny New Project Syndrome cause it's a problem. 😂 Yay, for collab videos! What's the best way to message you and talk about this?

[@averyclarke2689]

Congratulations! You’re such an inspiration. Will you be doing more Q&A videos any time soon?

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! :) Yes, I have one planned for Monday. I'm recording the one for the next week this weekend so I can try to get ahead. haha.

[@sharondavis3535]

Wow: never heard of rejection sensitivity but it resonants. Thank you.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I just recently learned about and it was a lightbulb moment for me! Thank you!

[@FM95.5]

45 books in two years and you quit your day job 🤯 you go girl! I need to take some notes I'm threw years in and only four books deep AND still grinding that day job ☹️

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Lol, I wish all that happened in two years. It took 8 years to write that many books. ❤️❤️❤️ Still a huge accomplishment. I know how it is to write and work!! I know you can do it! You’ll get there!! 4 books is amazing! 🙌

[@FM95.5]

@@TheCourtneyProject ha thanks! Knowing it took 8 certainly makes feel better too.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

@@FM95.5 Haha, I only released 3-4 books per year when I worked corporate and wrote alone. :)

[@FM95.5]

@@TheCourtneyProject I do find the idea of co-writing pretty dang interesting. Do you have a video on how that process works with you and your partner?

[@MaggieColeWrites]

This was SUPER helpful! Thank you!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’re welcome!

[@skyewinterbooks]

Congratu-freaking-lations Curt!!! 45 books is AMAZING! Can you imagine all of this from a faithful hike where you decided out the blue "I gonna write a book??? Never stop going for your dreams. We can sometimes be our biggest bully but, I will be here to continue watching you mute that voice in your head that tells you you can't. On to book 50 baby! (celebrating like it's me lol). I love that you and my hubby talk about my cover experience like its a whole big deal lmao I just love a good challenge, and know-how to recognize great advice lol

[@TheCourtneyProject]

I KNOW! Will and I were just talking about that, like what if we wouldn't have went camping? It all just kinda worked out. OMG, it IS A BIG DEAL. Are you kidding? The average person wouldn't be able to whip up a TRILOGY of covers in a WEEKEND. Ma'am, you better take credit for that! 😍

[@skyewinterbooks]

@@TheCourtneyProject ❤❤

[@gracethewriter08]

Congratulations on releasing 45 books! That's amazing!

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you!!!

[@lisabutler3740]

Congrats! 45 is a lot of books. How do you come up with so many plot points? I struggle with coming up with just a few.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you! Oh man, I dunno where the come from. Sometimes I'll overhear conversations, read the news, watch documentaries, and just immerse myself in different things. I had an entire series idea come from an NPR segment, lol. Now that I have a writing partner, we just go back and forth with different ideas until something sticks. You'll get there!

[@DancingJohari]

Let me put it this way--if you do a charity stream, am SO there! Would love to do it with you--am working on getting my author website together and almost finished writing the rough draft for my second book--pushing to get that done TODAY! Woot! Congrats on 45 books written--that is a great accomplishment;)

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! Eep, finishing drafts are the best feeling in the world! I hope you were able to getter doneee! ❤️❤️

[@sharondavis3535]

Congrats!! This is inspirational.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much!

[@christopherjoelgibson]

congrats on 45! that's pretty insane

[@TheCourtneyProject]

Thank you so much! It really is!

[@carlosh4854]

Congratulations I just released my first book yesterday, Its a children's book ,,so people check it out "A fun life of a train Conductor "

[@donnarodriguez5088]

Do you mention the titles of your books and the illustrators anywhere i can find them?

[@lakshminarasimhanS-fz9nn]

I'm yet to write 45 words.

[@TheCourtneyProject]

You’ve got this! ❤️❤️

[@carsonallen4719]

No way. I have adult ADHD, too.

[@taylorreadorn2402]

OMG SAME I HATE TIKTOK

[@DreamingTruth.author]

❤❤❤