So what does success mean to you?
The answer will vary from each of us. Some may want fame and fortune like JK Rowling, John Grisham, or Danielle Steel. Others may just want to get their first novel finished. Some writers may want to win an award to prove they are the best. While others are thrilled that their novels are selling, no matter how many copies.
Whether you are traditionally published or indie, we all want the same thing – success. How we reach those goals and dreams is up to us.
My idea of success is going to be different than yours but to prove that I’ve reached my goals and dreams – and since I am writing this article – I’m going to share my personal journey.
It started 22 years ago as a 20 year old bride. I’d just finished high school when I got engaged and six months later was married. At 22 I had my son and started my family so my dreams of going to college were put on hold. Being a housewife and mother took up all my time.
I would be out doing my errands, thinking how some day I wanted to be a professional. I’d see the bank tellers dressed up in their nice clothes with dangling jewelry and matching accessories. The teachers all decked out in their skirts and heels. I watched as secretaries and mangers on television shows wore their power suits like a badge of accomplishment, proud of the fact that they’d made it in their chosen careers. Meanwhile I wore jeans and shirt most of the time, only getting to dress on Sundays for church.
Although I loved my life and wouldn’t trade a minute of it, I have to confess that I envied these women a little. They had reached their goals and could now afford nice clothes to prove it. It wasn’t only the clothes but they all had an air of confidence – something that was lacking in my life.
I will skip over the part of how and why I started writing, as I may write about that subject next month to go along with my new release. But at 30 I decided to write my first novel. I finished it 2 years later and started my long path down the rejection road. However, I didn’t allow the rejections to deter me. I continued to write and 10 years later I had 3 novels and a novella done.
This is when I took my future into my own hands and decided to self-publish. In Feb. of 2011 I put out my first novel out as an ebook. In Dec. I put up my mystery novella and now, I’m doing final edits on my second novel, getting it ready to publish next month.
I’m selling my novels!! Not thousands of copies a month but 100 – 200 a month and that is enough to make me feel like I’m achieving my dream. I’m sure this is a conservative form of success but I’m happy that people are reading my stories.
My finale confirmation to my success came the other night as I attended the American Business Woman Association meeting. As I wound my hair up in a French twist and put my red dress on I felt honored that these successful, dynamic women thought I’d fit into their group. I couldn’t help but smile as I sat at the table with these women I’d always looked up to.
They seemed impressed that I not only wrote my novels but have learned the business aspect of writing along with marketing and promoting. I realized that I was now one of them. My point? Don’t give up on your dreams no matter how small they may seem. Success is in the eyes of each holder!
**Please note that guest posts and columns reflect the opinions of the individual author and not The Indie Exchange as a whole. Also note, The Indie Exchange uses affiliate links to offset the costs of hosting etc.**
Latest posts by Candy-Ann Little (see all)
- Are You Stuck With Your Publisher? - December 17, 2012
- How to Become a Writer - September 17, 2012
- What is Success? - August 17, 2012
You finish stories, publish them, and sell a hundred plus copies a month. I agree—you've achieved success. Many writers will never even finish a novel. Others will finish but never get it published, traditionally or Indie. Some will forever be disapointed with themselves, which is a sad thing. Others write for different reasons. I know some who simply enjoy the escape, and don't need to be published. Some who write memoir do it as a sort of therapy, and there's nothing wrong with that. As for me, I've finally learned the difference between dreams and goals. I dream of hitting the top 100 on Amazon. My goal is to finish my stories and get them published.
I think success for me now I'm getting old is to have my books recognised and enjoyed. I'd love to make a living from my writing.
I've failed at many things but that doesn't stop me from trying – maybe that's success?
I've no idea how to sell my books – tried it all, with little reward – love to know you're secret. Or it could be that I'm not writing what's fashionable? Though I've successfully published eleven books of varying genres – fantasy, humour, thriller, murder mystery, non-fiction, horror, short stories…though fantasy is my favourite because I can break the rules and use my imagination to the full, just making it up as I write.
Maybe 'success' is merely down to luck?
I believe in my work and so all I can do is write and hope that one day…
Great article! You're right about everyone having different goals. What works for one person might not work for someone else. Find what's best for you and go for it!