Life has its ups and downs. Writing does too.
I’ve learned not to sit by the mailbox, waiting to hear from the editor as to whether they plan on publishing my story, or proceeding with my book idea. I have enough story ideas to keep me going until I am pushing up daisies. And I have long since realized that I am not going to be receiving John Grisham-sized checks anytime soon. So let’s not get too anxious about it.
Instead, the discipline is to write it, promote it, and then move on. What’s next?
I have books I wrote decades ago that are still resulting in paychecks every year. Thank you, very much. And I have books–which shall remain nameless–which were written in the past year or two that I am still looking for a first Amazon review on. I don’t regret either book, especially the former one, of course.
I told my writing students a long time ago that every writing project, even if it is never published, contributes to the overall picture. Nothing is a waste. Everything–everything–you write helps you become a better writer, especially if you pay attention and try to improve with each step. I have tried some things with books to see if they would work. Some had succeeded, and others had fallen flat on their faces. But with each of them, I think–I hope–I have learned something. And that has helped me become a better writer.
Now if I could just get someone to write a review for that latest book….
The Great Adventure 