A few posts ago I asked how other writers defined success. I wasn’t just looking for a blog post topic. I’ve been wrestling with that question.
Writing is a difficult profession–especially writing fiction. After working really hard on a book, synopsis, and query letter you may not get an agent. Or you may get an agent but your book doesn’t sell. Perhaps, you get an agent, sell your book but the publisher goes out of business before you get published. Then there’s getting published, doing everything you can to promote your book, and being dropped by your publisher because you didn’t sell well enough. Of course, there are success stories too. However, even the writers we consider “successful” have dealt with their share of rejection and set-backs.
So, given all the challenges the publishing industry throws at writers, how does one define success? Here are some answers from the comments on my previous post:
Libby Hellman: “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 couldn’t put it down.”
JT Ellison: “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.”
Bill Cameron: “And then I sit down and write some more. That’s the main thing. The biggest success is being able to write at all.”
Each one of those wonderful comments helped me in my own search for an answer. Then I came across this passage from The War of Art by Steven Pressfield:
My friend Tony Keppelman snapped me out of it by asking if I was gonna quit. Hell, no! “Then be happy. You’re where you wanted to be, aren’t you? So you’re taking a few blows. That’s the price for being in the arena and not on the sidelines. “
That “snapped” something inside of me to attention. The question of success comes down to this–do you want to be in the arena or on the sidelines? If you give up then you move to the sidelines. If you stay in the arena, no matter where you’re at, you’re still in the game and anything could happen.
I realized that right now my definition of success is staying in the game. Over time that definition may change. However, this realization settled something important for me on an internal level and it helped me move forward with my writing.
My definition of success as a writer: Stay in the game, don’t move to the sidelines. That means that every day I write I’m in the game and I’m successful.
What about you? What keeps you moving foward?
Photo Credit: dcJohn
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Mary-Frances, this is great. It is about staying in the game, I think, because the only certainty is that–if you don’t write–you’re not going to get published, OR get any further in your craft. But it’s also hard, I know–believe me, feeling like you’re so close and just too far to reach out & grab the ring. Or wondering if you picked the wrong horse on the merry-go-round! Hang in there. I’m going to.
Becky Levine’s last blog post..Online Social Networking Class
Success for me is 1) knowing that I have written many novels and will write many more, 2) doing everything in my power to get my stories to readers, and 3) being happy every day, no matter how many setbacks I encounter.
L.J. Sellers’s last blog post..Not all Kindle Readers Are Snobs
How do you define sucess? was one of the first, if not the first, post of yours that I commented on. I’ve thought about it often and what exactly does success mean. It was Libby’s comment: “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 couldn’t put it down,” that really stuck out at me the first time I read throught the remarks. I know I have felt success myself when a reader tells me that they liked what I wrote…If someone likes what I write as much as me or even more than me, that is my goal and therefor my sucess.
Screwed Up Texan’s last blog post..Screwed Up: A Journal Entry
Mary-Frances, I loved this post. Thank you. My eight year old asked me yesterday why I write. I thought about it for a minute then replied, “because I can’t not write.” For me that sums it up.
The next time I’m down and the goal seems so far away, I’ll remember your quote. I am in the game and that’s something.
Thank you again.
Shawna’s last blog post..Weekend Gardener.
Hey Becky, L.J, Allie & Shawna,
You women rock! I can feel the good vibes, determination and enthusiasm coming through your comments. Yes we can! We are in the game and just staying on the field is half the battle. Thanks for your comments and the support.
It’s a tough one, this. Ten years ago I got proclaimed as debut of the week in a major British newspaper. Then a Hollywood producer talked to me about making a film based on the novel and I began to believe that I was “almost” there.
Fast forward ten years and I’ve not published another novel since! My publisher got bought up and my second novel went with them. Then trying to build a proper career got in the way and, woosh, here we are today. I’ve written more poetry, journalism and non-fiction in the last ten years than I ever would have thought possible.
But having tasted some bits of success and plenty of frustrations too I would have to say that success in the writing game is about sitting down at my laptop, writing for an hour or two and carrying on. I’ve learned that the best thing about writing is the writing itself; the way I feel and the things I discover during those moments.
Here’s to everyone’s success! Good writing people.
Jon Buscall’s last blog post..Writing Effective Email
Jon,
Thanks for sharing your story. I know so many writers who are in a similar position.
I love to write but I’m not one of those people who “goes crazy” if they don’t write. However, I do get a huge sense of satisfaction from writing that I don’t get from anything else. Plus, there’s that really cool zone you get into when you get lost in your writing that I love. Still, it’s all about discipline and habit for me or it doesn’t happen. That was a long way of saying I’m in full agreement with you–it’s all about sitting down and doing it!
Sending good writing vibes back to you.
Writing satisfies something inside me. With all its frustrations, it’s what feels right for me. I have tried other forms of writing — poems, non-fiction, greeting cards, cartoons. Though I enjoy doing them, nothing gives me as much satisfaction as writing fiction.
@mfmakichen
Thanks! I think it’s a very common story. Good writing to you too! And I love this blog, too.
Very best wishes!
Jon Buscall’s last blog post..Writing Effective Email
I’m so glad that you’ve had the chord struck – you’re much too talented not to stay in the arena. As the ancient Romans used to say, some days you’re the Christians, some days you’re the lions. (Yes, that was a terrible attempt at Gladiator humor.)
But it’s true. You have to stay in the game regardless of the blows, because there will ALWAYS be blows. That, unfortunately, is life.
Edie,
I hear you about feeling satisfied when you write fiction. I also want to thank you. You’ve been an inspiration to me on staying in the game.
Jon,
Awww, you made my day. Thank you!
JT,
Thank you. You are such a generous writer and person I just feel lucky to have found you!
This is just what I needed right now. Thanks.
Staying in the game is a challenge right now as there are lots of other things that need doing in life. And, it’s hard to make it clear to others that I’m spending my time wisely when the little voice in my head is saying: “You’re not getting the laundry done. You don’t know what you’re going to make for dinner yet, do you?”
Success is being able to write at all. That’s my definition for the moment.
Cheers,
Colleen
Colleen’s last blog post..Down Time: Between WWOOFers
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