If you are writing for the fame, the money, or the glory; to be a famous writer like Stephen King (horror), Eve Bunting (children’s books), Jane Austin (romance), or Terry Brooks (fantasy), let me something tell you right now. The odds are you will fail. Those are not, necessarily, things that will get you through and keep you holding on for the long haul, especially if you are opting for the indie- (independent) or self-publishing route. There are many stories of hopeful writers never getting published because the task was just too daunting.
The road is often difficult. If you are trying to be traditionally published, there will be many rejections. Most books on publishing will tell you that. There will be enough rejections that, depending on your stalwartness, it will make you wonder if your work is good enough for publishing. Furthermore, some sources actually talk about the concept that the author has to take on the job of continued marketing and publicizing after the initial push made by the publisher.
Let me tell you this; as an author, the marketing and publicizing process is not an easy one. It is quite difficult, especially if you have no experience to begin with. On top of that, the learning curve is made even more difficult if you do not know much about blogging, Pinterest, SEO, YouTube (or social media in general). There is also the possibility that an author won’t know what organizations, businesses, or individuals to approach for help, though there are many places to gain information… for a price. If you are on a shoestring budget, the search for information can seem even more daunting.
Let me start where most people start, though a hopeful writer should be thinking about marketing and publicity from the moment they set down the first words, if not before. That most often considered starting place is… writing.
The writing process is often difficult. Life interferes with writing time and with the ability to write since the cares of life tend to dampen, and sometimes freeze the imagination, taking up the entire mind. Even when life does not interfere, the creative flow might still be a bit rocky and turbulent, sometimes narrow and choked.
I understand that this seems rather doom and gloom, and I appear to be attempting to persuade my readers not to dream of being successful authors. This is not my goal. It is my purpose to make sure that my readers do not put as their goals, things as rarely obtainable, transient, or superficial as fame, money, and glory. These are not things that are generally nourishing enough fare for the heart, mind, and hand to sustain through many difficulties. I say rarely, because a need rather than a desire for money might be sufficient, and some individuals will persevere through whatever is thrown their way simply because they have that drive to succeed, regardless of their end goal. Not everyone is like that, and it is to those that I write.
Would you write even if you didn’t make any money, simply because the act of writing is a delight? Do you have a message to share that makes the money issue of little concern? Would the reward of making a difference in the world make the monetary reward look minuscule? These are things that will help get you through the difficulties that will most assuredly confront you in one form or another along your journey. The road will not always be smooth. There will be bumps. There will be ruts. There will hills, mountains, and roadblocks. There will be twists, and turns, and cutbacks. Are your motivations deep and strong enough to get you through the rough portions? That is what I am attempting to alert my readers to.
Also, please remember the motivation that others can give you. I spoke some on this subject in my blog post “Family, Mentors, and Friends.”
There have been many times I have felt like it is all too much to handle, that I would never get “Boys Will Be Boys” published. Now that the book is published, I still have moments when it seems impossible to get it visibility. It is hard work, and often it seems there is no forward movement.
Now, through all of that, please don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying that wanting money, fame, or success, from your writing is wrong. I am only saying that those are not always strong supports to lean on if you get weary.
Repetition can be a good thing, but there can also be too much of a good thing, so I will try to be brief. Consider your reasons for writing; your driving force. If you want to make good money or become famous, consider if you have something deeper to help you get through the times when the other goals are far away. For some people, one goal or driving force might be more powerful than for others. Consider what means a lot to you. Also, consider if you have more than one driving force. That is possible, you know. As you consider, remember to enjoy the wonder. That is part of the point, isn’t it?
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