Was It Your Choice?

Did you always have dreams of being full time writer or did your stories have to convince you?

I had to be convinced. As a kid, the idea of writing for a living seemed boring. Even when I got my masters, I figured I’d be a published author on the side. I’ve been writing most of my life but it wasn’t until last year that I surrendered to the dream. I worked hard trying to avoid the whole full-time author career path.

Funny how things turn out. I know, I know- it’s almost impossible to be a full-time writer unless your name is Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. Most authors these days have a day job and spend the wee hours of the night banging out a story. Don’t see how they manage that and marketing?

I’m going to be honest with you. I didn’t see how anyone would choose to be a full-time writer. It’s a huge financial and emotional investment with little return. When I saw publishing my story, I didn’t see my book getting into the hands of readers- my name in print, I saw me giving my heart to a bunch of strangers so they could tear it apart.

You read all these articles about how you have to do all your own marketing and networking which is like a slow death for an introvert. How we’re now expected to publish at least two stories a year. How the publishing industry is in turmoil. How it’s so hard for a new writer to make it. How it’s even harder for a self-published author to make it.

And the good side of a writing life is where?

That’s negative and we can’t think that way. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it can be painful but we all know it’s so worth it in the end. I don’t even have a book cover yet but I get emotional just thinking about it. I remember why I want to publish this story, why I want to be a full-time writer and I grab hold of it with both hands. In the end, all the things listed above don’t matter.

Your story is your baby after all. I’ll suffer through the discomfort of networking and the pain of having my story ripped apart if it means more people will read my books.

My dream is to make a living off my books, to be able to make my own
schedule, to be able to get up one day and say, I want to write here and
just go there. That’s my light at the end of the tunnel. What’s yours?