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1. Not everyone will like your book. In fact, someone somewhere will think that it’s the worst book in the world. And say so publicly—on a forum, in a tweet, in an Amazon review, or all three. Don’t worry—yours and my book can’t both be the worst book in the world. Only one is and I’ve yet to come across it.
2. What goes up must come down. For every promotion where you excitedly watch your book climb the Amazon bestseller lists, there is an inevitable reversal that follows (how soon depends on how big your book gets) where you get to watch your pride and joy slowly sink in the ranks. Writing is a business where your sales numbers and royalties (i.e., your paycheck) can vary wildly from month to month and from year to year.
3. Reviews—you don’t have to read them. I’m not talking about reviews from Publisher’s Weekly or Kirkus, but the ones readers leave on sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and LibraryThing. I am very grateful for these and appreciate that people take the time to write them—a good reader review is almost irreplaceable in helping spread the word about a book. But if you drop everything and run off to read every new review that pops up on Amazon, only to emerge elated or crushed, you’re setting yourself up for an emotional roller coaster. I recommend staying away from the one and two stars (see point 1: Not everyone will like your book) unless you have nerves of steel. I don’t. Besides, I figure that book reviews are meant for other readers, not for me as the author.
4. No one can predict how well your book will sell. Regarding Ducks and Universeshas done better (sales-wise and review-wise) in the US than in the UK. Why? I don’t know. Maybe they just like me better over here. The just-released German translation seems to doing nicely so far on Amazon.de (Danke, German readers!), better than the English version in the Canada store. Was there any way to predict that? Not in my, uh, book. The point is that, as with reviews, tying your worth as a writer to your book’s sales numbers at any given moment is a recipe for a lot of emotional ups and downs. So don’t do it. (Easier said then done, I know.)
5. Writing is just like any other job. But only the people you live with know this (and that’s if you’re lucky, and I am). Friends and neighbors will wonder why your house is always messy and why you’re perpetually behind on your errands, when as a writer you are flush with free time. After all, you’re your own boss, aren’t you? Yes, but you’re also the only employee—there’s no one to pass on the job of writing to. If you take a sick day, the manuscript word count doesn’t budge. As a rule, you don’t get up in the morning and wonder when you’ll get around to doing some writing; you get up and you do it. On a side note, yes, you do have to pay taxes, as in any other job.
12 replies on “Five Writing Truths That Should Be Obvious but Aren’t… And a Happy New Year!”
Being a writer certainly requires a lot of mental toughness, doesn't it? Those are all good things to keep in mind through the ups and downs.
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I agree, Annabelle – mental toughness, or at least the ability to compartmentalize…
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You've made some very good points. Things I'll keep in mind this year. I bet most people have no idea how tough writers are. The rejections will either make you stronger or send you running!
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Thanks, Janel. I do know some writers who are very tough, but I'm not one of them. I'm like butter on a warm June day when it comes to reviews and rejections – entirely squashable. So, no, not tough. Persistent, maybe?
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Persistence in the face of whatever adversities are cast our way….seems to the unspoken mantra of all writers. You're way ahead of me in the publishing arena, but I know about rejections…..Best of luck in 2013! 🙂
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>Reviews—you don’t have to read them.I would add the Kirkus, PW, etc. too. 🙂
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Thanks Edith – best of luck in your publishing journey!> I would add the Kirkus, PW, etc. too. :-)Ha!
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I actually laughed when I read this – they are more than true. My parents are constantly asking me to help them do research for things, shop online, they call me on the phone, etc. because they know I'm at home \”Just writing.\” Uh….yeah…because that's my job Dad! And \”not everyone will like your book.\” So true. I need to toughen my skin and not worry about that!!
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It took my children, ages 11and 8, a long time to begin to really understand that I am often working while I just seem to be sitting with my computer.It took much longer for them to get that I can also be writing when I am washing dishes, watching television, cooking, or showering…I find your list thought provoking. I am not yet at the point of collecting reviews, but I plan to strive to speak my truths with compassion, and, if I am able to do that, to allow others their own opinions, while counting myself a success by my own definition.
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Elizabeth, glad you enjoyed the post!Shan Jeniah, I too do some of my best thinking when washing dishes and cooking!
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Neve, …..And they are all so true! Great job in identifying exactly what we all, as writers, have to deal with. Yet, it is so worth it. I wouldn't want to do anything else. Enjoyed your post. Do come visit me when you get a minute: http://www.amemorabletimeofmylife.blogspot.com
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Nancy, glad you liked my list. Heading on over to visit your blog!
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