Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?
This morning, as I set out to add a burst of freshness to my smoothie by squeezing an orange, I quickly discovered that my efforts were not yielding the juicy payoff I had hoped for. It caused me to take a moment to consider how the idea connected to so many aspects of life.
For Writers Wondering if It’s All Worth It
There’s a moment every author faces—maybe at 2 a.m. while editing a third draft that still doesn’t sing, or after receiving a rejection email that starts with “unfortunately.” The question inevitably hit us. Is all this effort—writing, rewriting, querying, publishing, promoting, and holding your breath for reviews—really worth it?
The Squeeze
Writing a book is no small feat. It’s a long, messy, beautiful battle with doubt, discipline, and dialogue tags. The “squeeze” isn’t just the work—it’s the emotional investment. It’s finishing a chapter that feels like pulling teeth, or dealing with critique that hits a little too close to home. Or worse, it’s pushing through imposter syndrome that whispers, “No one’s going to read this.”
And if you’re indie publishing? Multiply that squeeze by editing costs, formatting woes, marketing demands, and the eternal social media hamster wheel.
The Juice
The “juice” isn’t just royalties or five-star reviews (though those are nice). It’s also a message from a reader who felt seen because of your story, or the quiet satisfaction of crafting a sentence that lands just right. And best of all, it is knowing you created something out of nothing, and no one can take that away from you.
It’s the connections. The growth. The legacy.
Even if you’re not on the bestseller list (yet), the juice may be that you dared to try. You turned blank pages into worlds. That’s no small thing.
When the Juice May Not be Worth the Squeeze
If you’re grinding away on a book you don’t believe in—just because someone told you “this will sell”—the squeeze may leave you drained, not fulfilled. Passionless work rarely resonates, even if it technically “works.”
Rewriting the same manuscript for years without forward motion? Sometimes, you’re not polishing—you’re procrastinating. At some point, you either need to hit “submit” or let it go. Otherwise, you’re just squeezing a dry orange.
Pouring thousands into ads, courses, edits, and software—but with no clear plan or budget—can leave you burned out and broke. The juice isn’t worth it if you’re sacrificing your financial health for vague “what-ifs.”
If writing consistently makes you feel anxious, depressed, or worthless, it’s okay to step back. Creating under duress isn’t noble—it’s harmful. You don’t owe anyone your sanity in exchange for a story.
Missing out on real relationships, ignoring other dreams, or constantly feeling like you’re “failing” at writing? Then maybe this squeeze needs to be paused—or re-evaluated. Writing should enhance your life, not hollow it out.
Chasing vampires, billionaires, or AI romances because they’re “hot,” when your heart’s in quiet literary fiction? That gap between who you are and what you’re creating will feel wider with every word.
Sometimes, after years of trying to push a book that just won’t land, it’s okay to shelve it and move on. It’s not failure—it’s making room for something better. Not every book is the book.
Knowing when to walk away—or simply rest—can be just as powerful as knowing when to push forward.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on our intentions. Are we writing primarily for validation, seeking approval through likes and shares, or are we striving for genuine connection, aiming to resonate with others on a deeper level? Are we fixated on chasing numbers, whether it be followers, views, or engagement metrics, or are we focused on building something meaningful and lasting that can withstand the test of time?
How we answer these questions may determine if the juice is worth the squeeze.
A Final Squeeze of Encouragement
Every one of us feels stuck in the pulp sometimes. You’re not alone. But keep squeezing—chapter by chapter, submission by submission. Whether you’re writing your first novel or your fifteenth, the world needs stories. Yours included.
Because the juice?
When it flows—it’s delicious!
PR
