Who's In Your Mirror?

[Gene Cartwright]

When was your last conversation with your mirror?
 

In almost any pursuit,

 we proceed with a set of expectations. Often, those expectations are realistic, even more often, they are not. Yet, this is understandable and not meant to be critical. Key questions we authors must gaze into our mirror and ask ourselves are:

• Why am I writing?
• Is my decision to write tantamount to purchasing a lottery ticket, and crossing fingers?
• Is my goal one of simply writing a single blockbuster and retiring to my private island?
• Do I take seriously the notion that being an author is not a get-rich-quick scheme?
• Is my first book my only writing goal?

Of course, there are many other important questions I have left out, but let's look at my brief list, and recognize one basic thing: writing requires unadulterated dedication, persistence, and very thick skin.

If one is easily discouraged, writing is not the profession to pursue. Writing a book is only the beginning. You already know this to be true. Unabashed marketing and promotion is essential.

It is also essential that authors network, network, network, not only with fellow-authors, but with media, and industry-types at all levels.

 

Question: When was the last time you reached out to offer your thoughts, ask questions, seek advice, emulate another's success, offer congratulations or a constructive critique? It is unfair to expect to receive benefit but not to reach out to offer same. 

 

We all need encouragement, and therefore offering sincere encouragement is the currency that enriches us all. 

So, I encourage you to become a serial giver, a consistent congratulator, an avid advisor, and a master motivator. I work at these things everyday, as do many of you. I congratulate you, if you may be so described. If you cannot be, I encourage you to make the effort, for your own benefit and success.

 

These are difficult times for so many. If writing is your passion, abandoning it is not an option. Remember, a book is forever; it will always exist. Unless you only create calendars, your writing is never truly out-of-date. If you have written your first or fiftieth book, your next book should have already been underway. If a law is made making writing a capital offense, real writers will be found in prison—writing, all the way to the gallows. You get the point.

 

Keep writing.

 

Thanks for reading,

Gene

GeneCartwright.com

[Jennifer Robins]

I've had some success and find it surprsing how so many people think I'm rich. LOL If they only knew how hard it really is. But I write because I love it and yes, I hope to make something. Still I try to keep my expectations under control.

My latest, Available at Astraea Press or amazon.com and other on line stores.

http://www.astraeapress.com/#ecwid:category=662245&mode=product...

[Justina Wheelock]

Thanks for sharing, Gene.

[Bill Cady]

Excellent post, Gene, with a very viable concept. I wish I had a "mirror". Maybe I can do that much for someone.

 

Bill