Scott’s post touched my heart, and it also gave me a heavy dose of keep it real. I fell in love with writing while blogging. Now it’s no longer a love affair, but a real hobby, something I do for my entertainment.
Finishing up and getting ready to publish my own book soon—to order or pre-order, depending on how much I can figure out—has been fun. So much excitement that I went overboard a bit, which, according to my husband, is fine, and I deserve it.
“Honey, what if nobody will buy or read my book?” My husband smiled. “So what, it will be on our shelf. You wrote and published a book, that’s all that matters.”
Is it all that matters? I had to ask myself if I would be fine with it. A lot of good and talented writers drown in an ocean of books, many of them also written by good and talented writers. What if I drown? Oh, well.
Yesterday was my birthday, and Francesco, a friend in Italy, made me a book trailer, which made me giggle like a little girl. “What’s the trailer for?” His answer was solid. “It’s for you to never forget.”
Scott is pulling back to move forward, and now I feel bad. I followed his blog for years, but never bothered to order and read one of his books. I need to fix this, and I will.
Perhaps I should read one or two Indie books a month and leave honest feedback, if it’s wanted.
Whatever we do as a hobby should always be fun. Will my crazy furniture design creations ever be validated as only I think they should? Most likely not, but it’s fun to imagine it.
Will Scott’s books be bestsellers and sell thousands and tens of thousands of books? Most likely not (please, prove me wrong, Scott).
Will I sell more than 10 or 20 books? Most likely not, and that’s fine.
Keeping the spark alive and flickering, it is sometimes not that easy. In the end, we need to let go of our own expectations, and we often have to say goodbye to the ideal situations that only exist in our minds.
Do we all get what we deserve? Most likely yes, but not always in the form we imagine.
Wow, I can see this being the case in the quest for “stardom” as a famous writer. On the flip side, if fame is what you’re after, you have to work hard for it. Actors make a movie they love… they have to go to talk shows and other appearances to promote it. Writing has to have a bit of self-promotion, too. If it is just the goal to have a book written, then relax and write from the heart and love every word. I was lucky enough to have some lyrics I wrote set to music by a friend, and he recorded the song, and I am content with that. I don’t expect a top ten hit or a Grammy win. If I did, I would need to work hard at promoting it. I am glad to hear he is stepping back to refocus on what he loves.
Hope you had a nice birthday, Bridget, and treated yourself to something special! 🥳
You pretty much summed it up, with nicer words. Marketing is the key and perhaps a social media presence, which I don’t have. I hope Scott will write many more books and that he will enjoy writing as he did before.
Whenever we create anything we hope it offers enough to be appreciated by others. It becomes more difficult if we depend on it for our living. That is the beauty of blogging in retirement.
When the reward or money is just a bonus, that’s when it’s the most fun to create.
Indeed
You have such a wise head on your young shoulders, Bridget. Your husband is so right. It doesn’t really matter, but you have enjoyed doing it. I’ve not heard of your author friend but I often feel a bit guilty that I haven’t read the books of folks I follow, but life’s too short! A book sits on my shelf with one chapter of mine. It will never be a best seller. Happy birthday for yesterday, hon xx
That was very kind of you. The comment and using the word “young”. Thank you for your birthday wishes. Time is flying.
Happy Belated Birthday! I hope your book sells in solid amounts!
Thank you, Dawn. As long as I am not the only unsold book out there, then I am fine.
Happy belated birthday, Bridget. Thanks for sharing Scott’s blog and your thoughts about it. 🙂
Thank you so much, Nancy for your wishes and for reading.
I hope you had a happy birthday!
I had a nice birthday. Thank you, Lisa.
Happy Birthday for yesterday, I hope you had a little treat (or two). Scott’s points are sadly so true. There are far more authors now than ever in the past, and it is a sad fact that fewer people are reading books in any form—instant gratification rules.
I bought myself a small ‘happy’. As for the treat or two, we don’t make a big fuzz out of birthdays anymore.
You are so right. So many books and not too many readers. That’s a shame if you think about it.