Early in my writing career, my personal definition of success was to make enough money writing to quit teaching middle school. (I was desperate!) If I could accomplish that, then I would feel successful.
That didn’t happen, but I worked ridiculously hard toward the goal of supporting myself with my writing income, and my efforts paid off—eventually. I’ve shot for that goal for years and was successful in making it happen through diligent planning and hard work.
I also had that dream ripped out from under me. (That’s another chapter.)
Fickle world, this writing culture we strive to exist within.
WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU?
Your goal for your writing is different from mine, or anyone else’s. Perhaps you want to write your family history, publish the book, and give it to your parents for Christmas. Maybe that’s your only goal, and if you accomplish that, you will feel successful. Good for you and no judgement here. It’s your goal. Your Write Path.
Maybe you have years of expertise on a subject, and by writing a book and sharing it with the world, you are giving back to humanity.
Maybe you are a public speaker, or an entrepreneur, and a non-fiction book would be a nice addition to your business model, and would not only provide validation for your work, but a nice passive income stream to your business.
Perhaps the notions of flexibility and freedom are appealing. If you are your own boss, you are in control of your time, your life, your hours, your lunch break. Nice.
Maybe there is a story in your head that has been spinning for decades—and you need to get it off your brain. You need to tell the story.
All good. All honorable. Go for them, one and all.
The bottom line is this: whatever path you choose, it’s Your Write Path. Yours. You own it. No one else.
How you define success in your writing world is yours, too. Your path. Your success.
Own it and do it.
Your words. Your heart and soul. Your rules.
Your way.
Your goals, and your successes, should never be measured against anyone else’s goals and successes. Nor should how you choose to achieve them.
Success means different things to different people.
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We talk about things like this and more in my AJS Write Path Community. Contact me at maddie@maddiejames.net for more information.
