Thank you for commenting Ellen and you always have something to add to the conversation. You are right! We need to write! Life is short and it seems to get shorter every passing day.
Great post! I make a list, too. Then I choose three things that are top priority. The rest gets pushed aside until I have time or until I make it a priority. The older I get, the less I do. I used to obsess over it. But now I accept it because it is what it is.
For the record, I delete all those scammy emails, too. You’re right. Those authors aren’t selling their books, either. That’s why they charge for recorded classes. I’ve taken a few and they didn’t help.
In the end, I write because I love to tell stories. But it would be nice to make more money. Working harder isn’t the answer. It’s nothing but a time suck. When I’m on my deathbed, I won’t be wishing I worked harder on chores. I’ll be wishing I did more of what I loved doing. Life is short.
I love your post today! I wonder how authors find the time to do everything, and I don't think they can do it all. Pick and choose. I commend you for all you are doing on top of writing!
Your approach to life is both amusing and insightful!
I'm probably busier in "retirement" than I was as a divorced Mom who worked full time, raised my son and schlepped him to physical therapy, baseball, Scouts, school, etc. At one point, I even served as a member of that town's library board.
Writing is my pleasure, but after 4 books, I've hit some snags. I know what I want to write, but health issues (recurring bronchitis), house issues, moving, moving again, and occasionally seeing friends, have distracted me from my writing. I even wrote a column recently on dealing with Writer's Block, but sometimes, my brain just can't get the words on the page. (Plus my husband is writing his first book and keeps "consulting" me.)
Lenny is right. Everyone wants to tell us how to make our writing career a success (and pay for the privilege.) Our timing is in conflict with difficult times and not hitting the indie market years ago, as I should have.
Thank you for writing! Your writing lets me know I'm not alone. That's comforting!
Now, I should get back to writing, but my monthly food shopping stock up (first Wednesday's 10% off everything) requires I compile an exhaustive list so I don't forget anything!
The effort takes 3 hours to complete, then storing everything.
I can't figure out how bestselling authors manage until they become bestselling authors and can hire help!
I, too, get all the "come-ons" from various people who will raise me from no sales whatsoever to best-seller for monthly tributes that I cannot afford. I think vultures find the carcasses rather easily. The best was one who tracked down my cell phone and called -- offering me a "special deal": his services for a mere $3,000 a month (plus all advertising costs)! [Uh...no thanks.]
In fairness, some of my books aren't selling because the market for the subject material is minuscule. Others aren't selling because they're cross-genre (and in some cases cross-genres). For some perverse reason, I've found it next to impossible to get reviews, even when I've sent beta-readers books in hard copy (a mistake I shall not repeat). And perhaps worst of all, due to illness, I have neither the strength nor the funds to engage in advertising and marketing at the moment, and my work backlog is absolutely terrifying.
At the end of the day, some people have a talent for writing (or music, or painting, or sculpture, et al.). Some may also have a talent for marketing and promotion, but I don't, and at this point, I am resigned to the fact that my books will never sell particularly well. I acknowledge my numerous mistakes and shortcomings. However, at age 77, I would rather write than worry about sales.
Thank you for commenting Ellen and you always have something to add to the conversation. You are right! We need to write! Life is short and it seems to get shorter every passing day.
Great post! I make a list, too. Then I choose three things that are top priority. The rest gets pushed aside until I have time or until I make it a priority. The older I get, the less I do. I used to obsess over it. But now I accept it because it is what it is.
For the record, I delete all those scammy emails, too. You’re right. Those authors aren’t selling their books, either. That’s why they charge for recorded classes. I’ve taken a few and they didn’t help.
In the end, I write because I love to tell stories. But it would be nice to make more money. Working harder isn’t the answer. It’s nothing but a time suck. When I’m on my deathbed, I won’t be wishing I worked harder on chores. I’ll be wishing I did more of what I loved doing. Life is short.
I love your post today! I wonder how authors find the time to do everything, and I don't think they can do it all. Pick and choose. I commend you for all you are doing on top of writing!
Me 2, Michelle. I just shake my head and think it is a wonder we aren't all out of our minds!
Kay -
Your approach to life is both amusing and insightful!
I'm probably busier in "retirement" than I was as a divorced Mom who worked full time, raised my son and schlepped him to physical therapy, baseball, Scouts, school, etc. At one point, I even served as a member of that town's library board.
Writing is my pleasure, but after 4 books, I've hit some snags. I know what I want to write, but health issues (recurring bronchitis), house issues, moving, moving again, and occasionally seeing friends, have distracted me from my writing. I even wrote a column recently on dealing with Writer's Block, but sometimes, my brain just can't get the words on the page. (Plus my husband is writing his first book and keeps "consulting" me.)
Lenny is right. Everyone wants to tell us how to make our writing career a success (and pay for the privilege.) Our timing is in conflict with difficult times and not hitting the indie market years ago, as I should have.
Thank you for writing! Your writing lets me know I'm not alone. That's comforting!
Now, I should get back to writing, but my monthly food shopping stock up (first Wednesday's 10% off everything) requires I compile an exhaustive list so I don't forget anything!
The effort takes 3 hours to complete, then storing everything.
I can't figure out how bestselling authors manage until they become bestselling authors and can hire help!
Keep writing! and thank you!
Hugs,
Shelley Sommers
I, too, get all the "come-ons" from various people who will raise me from no sales whatsoever to best-seller for monthly tributes that I cannot afford. I think vultures find the carcasses rather easily. The best was one who tracked down my cell phone and called -- offering me a "special deal": his services for a mere $3,000 a month (plus all advertising costs)! [Uh...no thanks.]
In fairness, some of my books aren't selling because the market for the subject material is minuscule. Others aren't selling because they're cross-genre (and in some cases cross-genres). For some perverse reason, I've found it next to impossible to get reviews, even when I've sent beta-readers books in hard copy (a mistake I shall not repeat). And perhaps worst of all, due to illness, I have neither the strength nor the funds to engage in advertising and marketing at the moment, and my work backlog is absolutely terrifying.
At the end of the day, some people have a talent for writing (or music, or painting, or sculpture, et al.). Some may also have a talent for marketing and promotion, but I don't, and at this point, I am resigned to the fact that my books will never sell particularly well. I acknowledge my numerous mistakes and shortcomings. However, at age 77, I would rather write than worry about sales.