You’ll Never ‘Make It’ as an Author — and That’s the Point.
It’s no wonder that we have skewed ideas of what it’s like to be an author when we watch programmes about it on TV. Like that episode with Angela Lansbury when her editor sent her on a luxury cruise to get her book written. Angela was happily tapping away, delivering one page or chapter at a time into the hands of her grateful editor. Sorry, that’s not how it works. Many wannabe writers have fantasised about a J.K. Rowling story of discovery: one day, you’re writing in a coffee shop and the next you’ve been discovered, and while your bestselling books are flying off the shelves, movie producers are falling at your feet.
Unrealistic Expectations
When I mention I’m an author, I get several different type of responses, ranging from ‘have I read you?’ (no idea mate, I don’t know what’s in your brain,) or ‘I hate reading.’ (You don’t know what you’re missing out on,) or my favourite, ‘I’m going to write a book. Just something I can retire on.’ Or ‘I only want to write one book, just enough to buy a house in the countryside. I’m sure my life story will sell.’ (Not unless you’re a celebrity sensation and even then, there’s no guarantees.)
Getting a Book Deal
If you know me, you might be wondering if I’ve had a bump to the head. I’m normally the most optimistic person you could meet. I love encouraging aspiring authors to dream big. But a healthy dose of realism will actually keep you going in the long run. Most people think that you write the book (your first ever book, of course,) then you get a literary agent who will find you the most amazing publishing deal and naturally the TV / movie deals will follow. They see publishing as one big mountain that they have to climb, but boy, when you get to the top of that mountain, you’ve made it for every single book you write.
Evolving as an Author
In reality, you will never ‘make it’ as an author. Want to know why? Because ‘making it’ suggests that there’s no more work to be done. You’re at the top of that mountain and all you have to do is sit pretty and keep writing those books. But it’s not about crossing that finishing line, it’s about evolving with each book you write.
So here’s the good news. I’m not saying that you can’t make a success of your writing, far from it. I came from humble beginnings. No contacts, not a lot of money and no clue of how the publishing industry worked. I could have told myself that it would never work. But I pushed through my doubts and studied as much as I could about the publishing industry online. So what’s this got to do with writing? Because becoming a successful published author isn’t about climbing one mountain. It’s about getting to the top of that mountain and discovering the Himalayas up there. Mountain after mountain to climb. You never truly ‘make it’, you just keep going, taking the ups and downs as they come. When I experience a down, I tell myself that I’m due an ‘up’ soon. When things are good, I’m grateful, and always planning ahead. I’m not afraid to work hard to protect my dream.
Here's The Good News
There are lots of stories about authors who became an ‘overnight success,’ but you don’t see the work that it took to get there. The same goes for social media. That gives the impression that these people landed on their feet. You don’t see the rejections, the struggles, the long hours and sacrifices it took to get there. Writing is a labour of love. It’s not a moneymaking scheme, but it’s a wonderful lifestyle if you’re ready to put in the work. If your first book doesn’t sell, you rewrite the manuscript or write another one. Your words haven’t been wasted, you’ve learned from them. If you don’t feel like you’re making progress, then invest in yourself. Get better. Work harder. Become stronger.
There have been times in my life when I’ve struggled for money, searching for change down the back of the sofa so I can buy a carton of milk. As I write this, I’m sitting at a bar on a Caribbean beach, putting together this blog. It may not last, but at the moment I’m counting my blessings, enjoying the sea air. I’m also working on my holiday, but hey, you can’t beat the view. Work and reward. Does it every time.
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