I hope when I publish to get a small but devoted following. I’m not chasing fame and fortune with my writing. If you fly high enough there’s too many expectations and you can easily become a target. No thanks.
Thanks so much for this! More reason to prioritise our own wellness and contentment, regardless. A quote from my favourite version of the Tao Te Ching is “The sage begins in stillness. She quiets her desires. She does not value the opinions of others. She hoards the real treasure.”
Yikes! That storm damage sounds bad. Thanks for another great post. This writing life is fraught. Lots of ways to fail. Even success can feel like failing apparently. Honestly, it’s a wonder any of us stick with it. Meanwhile, I’m reading your How to Structure and Pitch Your Novel right and enjoying it. Hoping I can take the advice in it and get my current ms into shape.
How do you know when it’s time to give up on a book that you know is not quite right and can’t seem to pin down? No. Don’t answer that question. I think I need to delude myself just a little longer.
Glad you’re in good shape. Savannah got knocked around pretty good but my old home Augusta is a war zone. And I so feel for those in the Asheville area.
I can absolutely understand how Colleen Hoover feels. Not that I have, or ever will have, her level of success, but I can feel that gnaw of panic in my stomach just thinking about it. Great post. How to make friends with that fear, and carry on writing....
How horrible is that! Tik Tok trolls and social media mobs. Ugh! It’s easy to pick on super successful people I guess, but it really says more about the people doing the bashing than about the person they are bashing.
Not that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to being a successful writer (because I don't and I'm not), but it seems to me that writing for oneself might be the way to go. Matter of fact, it's really all we CAN do. I've been a music creative for most of my life, and have come to the conclusion that there will always--ALWAYS--be people who don't like what you create, and the wider you're known the more of those people there'll be. On the other hand, if you like your creation (or even if you don't), chances are someone else out there will, too. So, go ahead and create what you want to create, and let the internet eat a hockey puck.
Interesting perspective. I understand the dread of having so many people read my novel, but also the fear that no one will read it! What a conundrum. Thanks for this.
I hope when I publish to get a small but devoted following. I’m not chasing fame and fortune with my writing. If you fly high enough there’s too many expectations and you can easily become a target. No thanks.
A healthy attitude!
Coleen lives near, close to my town. I enjoyed reading about her. (Thank you Karin!)
You're welcome. I hope she starts writing again!
Me too!!
Thanks so much for this! More reason to prioritise our own wellness and contentment, regardless. A quote from my favourite version of the Tao Te Ching is “The sage begins in stillness. She quiets her desires. She does not value the opinions of others. She hoards the real treasure.”
Here’s to Hoarding the right thing !
Quinn, I love that quote. Thanks for sharing it with me.
It’s a gem!
Yikes! That storm damage sounds bad. Thanks for another great post. This writing life is fraught. Lots of ways to fail. Even success can feel like failing apparently. Honestly, it’s a wonder any of us stick with it. Meanwhile, I’m reading your How to Structure and Pitch Your Novel right and enjoying it. Hoping I can take the advice in it and get my current ms into shape.
How do you know when it’s time to give up on a book that you know is not quite right and can’t seem to pin down? No. Don’t answer that question. I think I need to delude myself just a little longer.
Ha! :) You can always ask again, Shelley. Any time. Thanks for your kind words.
Stay safe from Helene! We got mostly lucky in Charlotte but know it’s pretty bad to the west of us.
Glad you’re in good shape. Savannah got knocked around pretty good but my old home Augusta is a war zone. And I so feel for those in the Asheville area.
My book has dual timelines too🤣
It’ can be tricky to pitch!
I can absolutely understand how Colleen Hoover feels. Not that I have, or ever will have, her level of success, but I can feel that gnaw of panic in my stomach just thinking about it. Great post. How to make friends with that fear, and carry on writing....
How horrible is that! Tik Tok trolls and social media mobs. Ugh! It’s easy to pick on super successful people I guess, but it really says more about the people doing the bashing than about the person they are bashing.
Definitely.
It can’t be fun to have people turn on you so I feel for her as well. Writing is one of my greatest pleasures and I would hate to ever lose that.
Not that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to being a successful writer (because I don't and I'm not), but it seems to me that writing for oneself might be the way to go. Matter of fact, it's really all we CAN do. I've been a music creative for most of my life, and have come to the conclusion that there will always--ALWAYS--be people who don't like what you create, and the wider you're known the more of those people there'll be. On the other hand, if you like your creation (or even if you don't), chances are someone else out there will, too. So, go ahead and create what you want to create, and let the internet eat a hockey puck.
Interesting perspective. I understand the dread of having so many people read my novel, but also the fear that no one will read it! What a conundrum. Thanks for this.
I feel like gradual success seems to be the best for most writers. They can sort of ease into the pool instead of diving into the deep end.