Hey everyone, and welcome to the first blog post of October 2020 for #TheWriteWay!
Today, I wanted to talk about something personal. I have to be quick -- I'm supposed to be making dinner soon.
(Vegan "chicken" wraps. Yum!)
If I'm being honest, my book sales haven't been great. It's hard trying to market yourself as an indie author with a small platform. Social media retweets and word of mouth can only take you so far.
And if I'm being even more honest, the whole life of an author isn't easy. It's difficult writing a good book. It's even harder to get it published. Editors can take months or even years to get back to you (especially in the age of COVID), the market is competitive, there are so many people out there who are critical of your work, the constant rejection and self-doubt...
It's rough.
I'm not saying that to discourage anyone -- I'm just being real. It's not a career for the faint of heart, that's for sure.
But why am I telling you all this?
Because lately, with my lack of book sales, I've felt like my voice doesn't matter. That my words aren't being read and my books are terrible, so I should just give up.
Every writer grapples with feelings like this from time to time -- especially when things aren't going well. It's part of being human.
But there IS an upside. Because while I've been feeling like my life and career have had no impact -- that NO ONE cares what I have to say, think, or write -- my grandfather told me something that lifted my spirits the other day.
There's a boy on his street -- about thirteen -- who read my book, THE DARK QUEEN. My grandmother had bought it for her elderly neighbor and he had the book on his bookshelf. His grandson found it, read it, and LOVED it.
My grandfather told me the boy keeps bugging him about when the next book will come out because he REALLY wants to read it.
That brought tears to my eyes to know that someone adored my book THAT much. And while my fan base isn't as big as I'd like it, someone out there enjoyed it.
And one satisfied reader is a job well done.
If you're drowning in rejection, self-doubt, and depression like me lately, know that YOUR VOICE MATTERS. Always -- even if you think it doesn't.
Your biggest fan could live right around the corner. They might just be too shy to tell you they love your work.
So keep writing, keep dreaming, keep trying. You are making a difference -- and someone out there REALLY needs your stories to keep them going.
You might not feel it today, but one day you will. And you'll be damned glad you didn't quit.
As always, thanks for reading!
Dana
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