Insecure Writer’s Support Group Blog for September 2021

I’m reminded of an old song, Where have All the Flowers Gone? It seems like spring was only yesterday, and here we are on the brink of fall. COVID has changed many things and yet, it hasn’t changed how quickly time seems to fly even when you do very little.

This month’s question is an interesting one. September 1 question – How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?

For me, I think success is an on-going process, not much different from climbing a set of stairs. It’s starts with a viable idea for a book, continues through the writing and editing processes, and goes on until you finally type the end on the manuscript. It’s that “I did it!” moment. That’s the first few steps. Then, there’s another sense of accomplishment when you look online and see your book available for sale. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s traditionally published or self-published. There’s a profound satisfaction in seeing your name on your work for others to purchase and read. The next few steps are for agonizing over sales and reviews. Sadly, there will always be trolls out there, who will say nasty things if only to contradict the good reviews you’ll get. There’s nothing that can equal the thrill of your first bit of fan mail or your first five star review, except maybe having someone tell you to your face how much they enjoy your work.

I have had more than twenty-five books published. Am I rich? No. Am I likely to get rich? No, but the satisfaction I get from knowing that my crazy thoughts and ideas have brightened someone’s day, well, to me, that’s the epitome of success.

What about you? How do you define success?

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