The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. It’s an opportunity to talk about doubts and fears you have conquered. To discuss your struggles and triumphs and to offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling.
September 1 question – How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?
Interesting question, as I know I’ll celebrate each and every step along the road, however small. Finishing the book was great and gave me a huge sense of achievement. Carrying out the edits has been hard, and I’ll celebrate once more when we get to a point of being ready to pitch and query. Getting an agent, let alone a deal would have me dancing, but I’d be proud to self-publish if that’s the route we end up taking.
All that said, if I’m being wholly honest, success to me is being paid an advance on the next book. I’d be pleased as punch to hold my book in my hand, really happy to receive good feedback/reviews, tickled pink to have a regular readership, and absolutely delighted to make an income from writing – however modest. But success, genuine success, for me is to be a real player on the field of publishing.
I don’t make this statement with any arrogance or expectation as I know the chances of achieving it are tiny, infinitesimal even – but I see no point in setting my goal low… what kind of Life Coach would I be if I did otherwise! 😀
The awesome co-hosts for this month are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie – do join me in taking a moment to visit them.
While you’re here, can I tempt you with a #FlashFiction prompt?
Every month, we run a different #FF prompt and this month it’s Journal on a Train. Journals have become ubiquitous – so many of us keep one, whether that be as a device for managing our time better, for downloading our thoughts, for keeping notes for an on-going project, for development of our ideas …
But what happens if you leave it behind? What caused you to forget something so important? What might it mean to a stranger who finds it? Tell us the story from whichever point of view you choose – the loser or the finder, in the genre of your choice.
If you’re inspired to give this a go, check back here on Sunday for full details.
© Debra Carey, 2021
Your post prompted me to act rather than think about sending a link to you and David as a possible outlet for ‘November Deadline’ I came across them last week as they have been e-publishing a series of Faith Martin books, and apart from reading their website have no connection whatsoever with them. But worth a look, I think.
And yes, editing is hard! I am in the process of reducing 120,000 words to a maximum of 99,999. Losing cherished paragraphs – sentences even – needs a ruthless hand 😦
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Oh Alan, I don’t envy you that task – it sounds horrendous.
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As you wrote, success comes in so many different packages. Getting recognized is one major challenge in this business where anybody who wants to publish a book can these days. Here’s hoping you find your success.
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Thanks Lee, I hope so too! I’ll be honest, I would probably have picked any one of those other measures of success if not for the question being asked by IWSG. I find these questions really good at digging out my deep thoughts 🙂
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Aiming high is a good strategy! Sometimes, we’re a little too quick to say “Oh, I’ll never be able to do that,” and so we never even try.
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Thanks James. I’m not a high aimer by nature (I’m not one of those high energy life coaches). I’m more of a find what’s right for you type and so I engage with the gut more, and that’s where this one came from.
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Celebrating each success is a healthy outlook. Thank you for reminding me of that. What constitutes a milestone is personal. Editing. Is. Brutal. Congrats on your book and good luck with your final edits!
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Thanks Adrienne & yes – celebrating the steps helps when the journey is so long & hard.
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Editing is challenging, but so satisfying when you see the big differences, before and after. Aim high, good for you!
But always remember the little people who wrote on your blog.
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Thanks Julia, I’m really looking forward to seeing how the results of our professional edit (early next year). The people who’ve written & commented on our blogs are so important to us – I like to think we would always cherish them – but it’s a really good reminder.
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