It’s a question I’ve asked myself a number of times recently, as I work on the crowdfunding campaign for my debut novel.
I’m part of a Facebook group through my publisher, where their authors share advice and ask for support. Being in this group with authors at various stages in the publishing process has opened my eyes to some of the challenges of being a writer, which seem almost universal.
Writing a book is something many people dream about.
We fantasise about seeing our work in print, on the table at Waterstones or Barnes and Noble, about gaining five star reviews and award nominations.
But for many writers, that isn’t the reality.
After years of working alone on a novel, that first hint of success is intoxicating. Securing an agent or a publishing contract can feel like you’ve made it.
Unfortunately, you soon realise how much work there is still to do. Your goal of being a successful writer is something that keeps slipping slightly further away, as more rungs are added to the ladder. Each one requires hard work and often sacrifices: hours spent alone at the computer, forcing yourself to work through exhaustion after long days at your regular job; putting yourself out there to build an audience, contacting newspapers and bloggers; managing Facebook ads, author events and blog tours.
Because being a writer also means becoming an expert in marketing and self-promotion and it’s something many people don’t realise until it’s too late. They imagine that their publisher will do much of this work, but increasingly that isn’t the case.
Writers are often introverted people, uncomfortable with selling themselves and their work. We’re also prone to self-doubt and worry about failure, about seeing our books sink without trace.
It’s all the more frustrating when you see well known writers proclaim that marketing isn’t a writer’s job. Ideally, it wouldn’t be. But not everyone is fortunate enough to be in a position to have the support of an expensive marketing campaign that is guaranteed to at least get some attention on the book.
So many books are released quietly and read by small numbers of people. Maybe they get a few good reviews and modest sales, but they don’t set the world on fire, or live up to their author’s vision of literary success.
And there are so many points in the publishing process where things can go wrong. You might land an agent, but not sell your book. Your publishing deal might fall through, or your publisher might go bust. The marketing and sales department might nix the contract, or demand changes you aren’t prepared to make.
Two or three or four books in, you might find yourself dropped by your agent or publisher. It’s a tough industry, not to mention the chances of making enough money to live on are small.
So why do we do it? Why do we still dream of writing, even knowing all of this?
Writing isn’t something you choose to pursue; it chooses you. Even if you turn away from it, it can be hard to give up completely. Something always calls you back.
Stories are in our blood and it’s what keeps us going, towards a goal that at times seems impossible.
While becoming a writer isn’t an easy dream to achieve, it is one that rewards those who can persevere through the hard days and the self-doubt. Every writer has had the same struggles and thought about giving up, even the most successful ones.
But they don’t, because they believe passionately in their stories and characters and know that those small moments of success – the signature on a contract, a brilliant review or an email from a reader – are worth all the other moments.
Being a writer doesn’t have to mean becoming a bestseller or a literary darling. If you can finish your story, make it the best it can be and send it out into the world for even a handful of readers, then you’re a writer.
Being a writer means allowing yourself to dream. Don’t give that up. Allow your dreams to grow and your stories will too.
Chichi says
What an interesting post. I agree with the point ‘writing chooses you’ I think that’s true. There have been times when I’ve looked at the alternatives, but writing keeps on pulling me back. It’s in my blood and it will never go away.
I also agree with your point about writers being introverts. I am like that. I don’t like to sell myself and I am an introvert. The funny thing is, I am currently writing an ebook and I work as a freelance copywriter, so I have no choice but to be a marketing and SEO expert.
You highlight the issues with being a writer. I think that’s the unfortunate reality – being a good writer isn’t good enough. Being able to market yourself is equally important. Also, I think that writing isn’t really respected so people think it shouldn’t be well paid but it’s a special craft. Not everyone is a good writer, but writers are special. I work as a copywriter partly because it’s one of the lucrative ways to make money, but I do love the job.
Chichi
chichiwrites.com
Amy Lord says
Thanks Chichi, glad you liked it! Being a writer is definitely hard work, but it’s amazing too 🙂