I think one of the hardest things about being an artist, writer, or entreprenuer is having the faith that you can be successful. As Bill Cameron said to me recently what makes a writer successful? That’s a good question. Is it writing a book, getting an agent, getting published or selling a certain amount of books? The truth is the publishing business isn’t easy. It’s one big long process that can take a lot of patience.
So here are my two big questions for you:
How do you define success as a writer?
What keeps you going when you feel like giving up?
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My answer to both questions: Support from readers which leads to confidence.
Screwed Up Texan’s last blog post..Easy Thin Mintz
As long as there is enough work to keep me busy and enough money coming in to buy coffee, I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world. I love what I do and plan to make sure I can continue to do it for a long time to come by networking with fellow writers, editors and newsmakers in an attempt to keep current, connected and motivated.
Thanks for asking.
I’d like to say success means having a “secure” contract, lots of co-op support from the publisher, well-attended signings, and the ability to make a decent living from writing. But what it comes down to — in reality — is an email or a call or a note from a reader telling me how much they liked my book and couldnt put it down. That’s also what keeps me going when I want to give up. That, and the challenge of writing the perfect sentence… paragraph… page.. chapter, etc.
I’m just currently getting back into writing but to me, I define my success by the ability to ‘reach’ or ‘connect with’ a reader. There is just one catch… That reader has to be a complete stranger that knows nothing about me.
Honestly? So long as I’m happy with myself, working daily, meeting my deadlines, following up on my responsibilities, I feel successful. If you try to gauge by other measures, you can get into trouble. Every time you compare to another author’s success, it’s apples and oranges. And you’ll get 1,000 different answers to this question as well, because every artist defines success in different ways.
When you’re on the cusp of being published, all you have control of is submitting, and continuing to work. Write that next book and don’t let rejections affect your idea of self-worth. And that goes for the published as well…
Rather than rely on external signs, I like to think of myself as successful if, well, I’m WRITING!
–Deb’s last blog post..Irony
Deb, both JTs, Sheilah, Libby and Screwed Up Texan,
You guys rock! Your answers are so inspirational. I can’t thank you enough for answering these two questions.
I think the general consensus is as long as you keep writing you’re a success. Plus, connecting with readers makes it worthwhile and keeps you going.
Finishing. When I think too much about it, the idea of creating whole people and worlds and all those thousands of words is very intimidating and honestly mind-boggling. As my mother once said, “What ever made you think you could write a book?” Mostly, I had time on my hands and didn’t know enough to know any better. Now, I get an incredible rush just from hitting THE END because, regardless of whether it sells, I persevered and did something that most people will never do.
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Hi Kari,
Thanks for offering your perspective. The quote from your mom is so momish that it it’s funny. I like the fact that whether it sells or not, the act of finishing the novel makes it a success. Thanks!
I am not published, so I can’t speak directly to the subject, but…
Responsive readers are an incredible inspiration and positive feedback loop for me. I love writing groups and blogging for just these reasons.
Your thoughts immediately made me remember my friend Mario’s quip: “I don’t want to be this country’s greatest writer, but I would like to be one of its best selling.” He made me think that it’s not about being perfect, but about telling a good story and getting it out there — however you do it.
(I really like the new aggregated web space you have here!)
Since I haven’t sold yet, that would make me feel I’m on the way to being successful. I liked everyone else’s answers.
As the answers here show, success is a subjective matter, and furthermore is multi-layered. For those who are pre-published, I’d caution against putting too much weight on publication as a measure of success. Sure, it’s a milestone, and certainly something to be proud of. But publishing is such a weird and dysfunctional industry that merely being published may turn out to be a source of frustration as much as satisfaction.
For me, when I am mentally together (never a certain condition) I try to think of success in terms of how well I’ve reached others, and how well others have reached me. I try to avoid the numbers game, because no matter how good they are they’re never good enough, but when they’re bad they can be crushing. I take pleasure in the process, take pleasure in making friends. I am grateful I can hold my books in my hands, and try not to worry about how many others have or want to.
Mind you, I’m not very good at avoiding self-doubt or at holding frustration at bay. There are days when I wish I was still back in the hopeful stage, because there’s something to be said for hope: the possibilities are wide-open. Hope realized is seldom up to snuff in comparison.
And then I sit down and write some more. That’s the main thing. The biggest success is being able to write at all.
Ahhh … the eternal question.
The way I define personal writing success morphs from day to day, but typically revolves around a combination of these factors:
* That I’m writing – whether for personal or professional reasons
* That I’m connecting with readers – one of the reasons I love blogging is the opportunity it provides for a piece of writing to evolve into a dialog.
* That I’m working – getting paid to write is a dream come true for me
* That when I go back and read what I’ve written, it’s something I’d be proud to have my daughter read when she grows up
As for what keeps me going:
* Positive feedback – yes, my ego needs to be fed
* Paychecks – always a happy thing!
* Reading – I’m always inspired by reading good writing
* A belief that this is what I’m supposed to do … it’s something I’ve done my whole life and plan to do until the day I die.
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Bill and Jamie,
Thanks for sharing your answers to these questions. On a personal level it’s been tremendously helpful to hear what other writers have to say about success and what keeps them going. I know being a writer can be isolating at times so having people share their thoughts on the subject is extremely gratifying.
Funny you should bring up this very topic right now. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on it myself. I’ve decided that no matter what we achieve as writers, we always strive for more. Not necessarily in terms of money (although it does help keep the comupter running), but for every milestone I’ve reached as an author, I’ve set my sights higher. I think that’s what drives me, always trying to hone my skills, to write a book better than the last one.
There is no doubt, hearing from a statified reader really fuels my fire. The support I receive from fellow writers keeps me sane. And I never tire of that moment when I see my book on the shelf for the first time. It’s the little rewards that keep me going.
Lisa,
Sorry, it’s taken me a bit to respond to you! I’m glad you like the new site, thanks. I love the way your mind works, but then I always have. That quote is just perfect.
Susan,
I’m thrilled to have you stop by! I hope everyone picks up a copy of Seeing Red. I read it and loved it. I think it’s your best yet so you definitely most be honing your skills.
I asked these questions because I needed some sanity. It’s been wonderful to read everyone’s responses. It made me realize that being a writer means you belong to a big fraternity/sorority and sometimes you just have to reach out for some answers.