Relax and Enjoy the Ride by Caroline Crocker
Did you know that 95% of authors earn less than $1,200/year? On average, books sell fewer than 300 copies over their lifetime. The news for books published by the BIG FIVE is not much better. Only 10% of those sell more than 2,000 copies in total! Of course, there are actions an author can take, like promote, promote, promote, but that isn’t the topic of this Blogatini post.
It’s obvious from the above that most writers don’t write books to get rich. They do it because they love writing books. So, my advice is that we don’t lose sight of why we’re doing what we’re doing. Relax and enjoy the ride. Of course, this only applies if writing isn’t your primary source of income. If it is, you have my condolences and full permission to stop reading now!
For those of us who write for pleasure, enjoy dreaming up the story and outlining your book. Don’t be in a hurry to write it down, and don’t force yourself to write when you’re not in the mood. I know that’s contrary to what so many “experts” on X advise, but let’s face it: things you write before you’re ready often aren’t good! So, if you don’t know what to write, take a walk, spend time with friends, play with the dog. Relax! Let your ideas linger in the back of your mind. They’ll move to the front when they’re ready.
Eventually, the first draft of your book or story will be complete. Now’s the time to go through it again. Chances are there will be lots you will change. With the right attitude, editing doesn’t need to be a chore. After all, just think: every time you go through what you wrote, it gets better. What’s not to love? The great news is you’ll be reading and editing your story about ten more times, so just think how great it’ll be when you’re done! Relax. Enjoy it!
Another aspect of any writing journey is gaining skills that go well beyond writing. For me, I’m continually challenged. Sometimes, so much so that I want to pull my hair out! But I’m proud to say that I’ve learned how to make a website, find a good editor, find a publisher (or do it myself), get a great cover on a budget, format my book, market, and more. I just spent a couple of days figuring out how to create an online store. Of course, all this learning could be stressful, especially if you’re in a hurry. So, remember: you’re doing this because it’s fun. And it’ll be wonderful when the book is out, the website is up, and the great reviews are rolling in.
A possible challenge in an author’s journey is that most of us are introverts, and sometimes, we do need to talk to other humans. Social media advertising, book tours, and public speaking can be difficult. Here again, if you remember that you’re doing this because you like it, even getting to know people can be enjoyable. Find a few Facebook groups that are interested in the subject matter of your book and interact with them. Post photos of your book, your daily life, and, of course, your dinners on Instagram. If you figure out X, let me know!
Once you’ve wet your feet by speaking to people through the computer, you’re probably ready to do it in person. Participation in writer’s groups allows an author to both hone their craft and get friendly advice on how to do all the things mentioned in the previous paragraphs. Best of all, fellow authors are usually supportive. Just be careful of the hidden dangers for those who wish to relax and enjoy the ride. Intra-author competition for winning the most prizes, getting the most reviews, and selling the most books comes to mind. Just remember: writing is a craft, not a sport.
You might also like to try selling books in person, whether through book tours or speaking engagements. For me, that’s where most sales happen and where I meet many of those who end up loving my work. It’s tremendously encouraging, and I enjoy it thoroughly. But then, in my previous life, I was a professor teaching biology to freshmen. Nothing much scares me!
Finally, remember: writing is an art. Take it slowly, don’t give in to performance anxiety, and revel in every part of the process. Then, your stories will be something you and others can enjoy for a lifetime and beyond. Relax and enjoy the ride!
