Writers Who Make It
65
Defining Writing Success
I've been working for years to 'make it' as an author. I have used and continue to use external motivators like Nanowrimo and www.750words.com to keep me producing material. I have written and published three books with scads more one the way. I bought into the concept that successful writers, the ones who 'make it', are tenacious and persevere no matter what calamity or obstacles bar their path.
The thought occurs to me that my definition of writers who 'make it' needs to be addressed. I get the idea that every writer's path twists and winds and dances to the individual's personal set of circumstances. I also understand writing is a business, therefore an analytical mindset must at some point accompany the creative mindset.
I have run across a number of writers who have told me I'm an author who's 'made it' from their perspective, while I am nowhere near my definition of making it. Every writer must grow into their respective career. This not only requires a strong writing voice, it also requires a clearly defined platform. Voice - creative. Platform - analytical.
My writer's voice is still being developed, although I feel my voice when I write and I am comfortable in it. My platform on the other hand, suffers because I have yet to succeed in identifying it to the public. On Hub Pages I write mostly about the struggles of writing and publishing. If I were to stand on a passionate platform, this would be the one.
Here's some honest soul-baring: How do I presume to platform writing and publishing when I have not 'made it' in my own eyes? Something appears amiss here. I've spent the past eleven years learning about this business, yet I am not making enough money to pay my bills. Who would want to follow my platform given this fact. Yes, I identify one aspect of 'making it' to being able to support my family on my writing income.
I have watched two good writing friends go through bankruptcy. They doggedly stuck with their writing and went down with the ship. Not only that, but to their credit, they still stick with their writing. I have twenty-five years of retail management experience, a BS degree in Business Administration and I see myself swimming against this tide of little income for writers.
I chafe publicly at the disparity of compensation for writers. I speak out against the powerful big money corporations who have robbed writers (I usually say "financially raped") for decades if not centuries. I have no illusions that my squeaky little voice will be heard. Most of the time I get the old, "That's the way it is so you just have to play their game" comment. Yes, I get it. They are rich and powerful and I'm not. But what traditional publishers have done to writers financially (and what Amazon and others are doing to writers financially) in most other industries would be criminal or not tolerated.
Back to my definition of 'making it'. While money is one aspect of my vision, I would trade off a reasonable portion of that for an audience. Ok, what writer wouldn't other than a significant portion of those writers making a living at their craft? I work to support my writing habit/dream/aspiration/passion. I don't mind doing that either. The question of this article is - how?
We go through years of school and even college, but there are no classes on how to be a writer. There are plenty of books out there. Hell, I'm writing one tentatively titled The Writing Life. In fact, the first draft is complete. That drives me back to the very tangible and relevant observation of 'who will want to purchase this book from someone who has not 'made it'? Yes, I've learned a lot. Yes, that info is compiled throughout the book. Yes, the book could help quite a few people struggling to understand the industry.
No, I do not have full knowledge of the writing/publishing industry. I know of no one who does, actually. No, I've not made a fortune writing nor have I even made enough to pay my bills (yet). No, I have not fully applied myself like I know I can.
How do you proceed from that? I watch people with marginal writing talent preen on paper tiger successes which brings them accolades and a level of success I desire. Am I too idealistic? Do I fully adopt the fake-it-till-you-make-it mentality? I've done it a few times and it works. The down side to that philosophy for me is that I do not care for feeling like a fraud.
Many writers struggle with internal demons and issues. Even as I write this I feel concern for the blatant honesty and the questioning of motives and the defiant stance against the 'system'. I have come to realize that writers need to get to this point. Somewhere, somehow, a writer must say to himself/herself, "I will be true to my writing voice and be willing to take the fallout for what I publish."
I've found that saying I’ll be true and willing and actually doing it can be worlds apart. Sometimes when I think I'm stepping out, I find later I held back. I'm sure (or at least hopeful) this is part of growing as a writer. My gut view of writing and publishing today mimics the movie Network.
Remember Network? Near the end, people are screaming from their windows, balconies, workplaces, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Writers should do this. Yes, I remember the writer's strike a few years ago. Unfortunately I was still bumbling around trying to learn the very basics of the industry back then or I would have joined whoever to help make that stand.
Ultimately I feel I must stick to my path and persevere. The industry is splintered, no doubt. Digital publishing and greed-mongering corporations like Amazon muddy the writing waters, sure. But navigating these waters is our job as writers. Many of us forge paths that lead to dead ends and often bankruptcy. Others simply give up their dream. Others aspire to pluck a star and break through in the darkest of moments.
Isn't that the way we write them folks? Darkest before the dawn? Trials and tribulations of our characters until all seems lost? Then, bam! The protagonist comes through with one last ounce of willpower. One last gasp of breath. One last grasp of hope. In this I see that the writing and publishing industry makes us our own self-fulfilling prophecies. For those of us who struggle on through insurmountable odds, redemption and a pot of gold await at the end of our writing rainbows.
One day, when we've both made it, you and whomever reads this, I hope our streams may collide, if for a moment, so we can look back together, trace our haphazardly chartered courses and smile the smile of two writers who 'made it'.
Great Books by the Rogues Gallery Writers
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Michael, you sound very frustrated. Like you, I love to write and of course I would like to make some bucks, which isn't easy at all. Personally, I think it's very difficult to get into the big game unless you write fiction, horror or something else that people want to read and I'm not into that. I think the problem is that we are unsucessful because we write about the stuff that interests us, not the readers. I went to a writing workshop last year and felt like I was in the wrong movie. I'm a creative writer, the others were all poetry writers. I felt very inferior until I realized that I mustn't compare myself to others, my writing is different, it's unique. It's a niche market. Our lecturer gave us the advice to read Stephen King's novel "on writing". Apparently King is giving lots of useful information about writing and publishing in this book. Haven't had time to read it but am considering it. For me writing is a hobby and I'm dreaming of publishing a book sometime. Never give up your dream. Good luck to you!
Hi HattieMattieMae, (cool name!). Absolutely. Identifying purpose, message and the WIIFM (what's in it for me) for the reader is important. Focus can carry a writer far. Finding that focus can be interesting... Thank you for your comment!
Hi novascotiamiss! Excellent comment. There are times (like when I wrote this Hub) where frustration does come into play. The world of writing is shifting everyday on the 'industry' side of things. Like you, I tend to write that which interests me and that may well be an issue. I agree, comparison to other writers will make me pack it up and walk away. There are many who I feel are incredible and when I attempt to compare myself to them, I am humbled. I do feel I have important things to say whether it be through my fiction or my non-fiction. Staying the course is something I doggedly pursue. "On Writing" is supposed to be great. I've read snippets and they were good. I'll stay with the dream. I won't let it go. I appreciate the encouragement. I see you are a world traveler. That is way cool...
I feel your pain. LOL! For me "making it" is pretty simple: Some folks like what I write- sometimes. I never expect to make a living at it, which is realistic. For those who are trying to make a living at this writing biz, the cards seem to be stacked against you. Kind of like being able to sing, many can- but only a few have huge success.
We can all drink a bit and do some karaoke, though can't we?
I understand too. I've been trying to get published for over a year now. It's not poetry, but it's something called "emotive prose." It's about the tarot, very niche subject, but if you read it all, it can teach you what all 78 cards mean. I can wallpaper a room with rejection notices. I know I won't make money, but don't want to pay to have it vanity published either. I wanted to be a writer, so I guess I'm just looking for validation, and even ONE book with my name on it! Hang in there.
Hey there Michael! Well I have a lot to say here....FIRST of all I do not think anyone who is living life to the fullest EVER feels like they have "made it." Even when I won awards on television, or wrote songs that played on an MGM show...it just never occurred to me that I was "successful." There are so many more horizons ahead of us and I believe that if we follow our heart, we will prevail. Nomatter what. A very "famous" person once told me "Write what you know." So, I stick to that whenever I work on a project. The other day people were posting this title on Facebook....so many of my friends on there. It was a parenting book that said something like "Go the FU@# to Sleep" (I think).....You should have heard them raving about it!!!!....I thought to myself that the only thing that seems to sell these days is a LAME title!!! I also read Mr. Kings book on writing and it did have some helpful info when it came to your second drafts....Anyway, keep creating and keep loving......that's all you need to do!!!!......G
Hi resspenser. Good to hear from you again. Possibly the drink, but for the sake of the patrons, I'll pass on the karaoke! Writing is a labor of love. If you don't love it, there's not much use in sticking around. That feeling of everything "stacked against you" wears me down at times, but Hub Pages always perks me back up. Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
Hello Jean Bakula! Hanging in there with your dream is the dream. I hear your frustration. The publishing industry landscape is morphing everyday into a 'service industry'. The old system of publishing is crumbling, partly due to digital technology and partly because a few rich corporations held most of the 'validation' like a monopoly. Love it or loathe it, the new publishing landscape will most likely involve writers to be more financially invested in their work. You sound like you believe in your book and its value. I know what you mean about the validation of a major press, but the validation you express of your own work will carry the day. When others read it and appreciate your effort, that is icing! Keep hold of your dream and be open to pathways it may take you in addition to directions you wish to take it. Sometimes that dream will surprise you! Thank you so much for stopping in and commenting on this Hub. You helped make my day!
Hello G! Follow my heart. I'm on that crazy road and anytime you pass by I get a lift. I've stuck to 'writing what I know' and it feels right. Whether the money ever comes or not, as the old tune says, "They can't take that away from me...". I know what you mean about the lame titles and even more lame articles. All shooting for the flash and shock value (which holds little to no value at all). I keep creating and loving and I know this is where I need to be. Thank you so much for popping up on this Hub. I did not realize the undercurrent in the article when I wrote it. The comments exposed some very helpful observations and minor epiphanies for me. I love how personable you are and your encouragement. Thank you!
hm, wait now, had to go through it twice
some things stand out for me, more than the "whole" of this hub:
"but there are no classes on how to be a writer"
What is a writer? How does it feel to be a writer? Is it different for everybody? Yet, still, deep down, the same thing?
Isn't it just being passionate about writing and sharing your thoughts with others? I don't think writing class teachers could be successful at teaching people how to be a writer. That just happens.
Perhaps there could be classes on how to be passionate about something? And with that, comes the knowledge of how to be a writer.
Babbling on here, as the thoughts pop into my head - hm, that's another thing that stood out for me - novascotiamiss (had to copy and paste that!) said you seemed very frustrated - I didn't get that sense first time round - what I got was a writer expressing what he was thinking, with a view to feeling better at the end of it, simply by writing it down - but not because he was frustrated. Sort of like when people make lists, just to get everything in order. More clarity.
I don't think making a lot of money from writing would bring you satisfaction. So, too, with getting an appreciative audience. I think what may bring you satisfaction is seeing that you were able, really able, to spark enthusiam in would-be-writers, to make them passionate about writing, and to know it was your influence that got them feeling and writing just like you feel and write.
Does that make sense? I got lost half way through writing my comment, apologies :)
Oops, forgot 3 things I had in my head when I started writing my comment, then forgot to add them in before clicking publish.
I really liked the first comment by HattieMattieMae - a comment like that would have me thinking about those words for a long time.
Secondly, an old quote, something along the lines of what holds people back is not the fear of failure, but the fear of success.
Thirdly, love the inclusion of the link in the second last paragraph - odd socks? hee hee - like a twist in the tale - a bit of humor thrown in, in an article that was not meant to be funny.
LOL!!! Hi Teresa. I must say, your comment(s) made my day. You struck on quite a few great streams of thought. I was indeed expressing with a view to feel better in the end. I also felt some frustration and I do possess a niggling fear of success that vexes me when it rears its ugly little pen.
I did throw in a little fun with the link because the writing produces (at least temporarily) the desired result.
I really did get some great chuckles out of your astute insights. It appears you have the ability to see through my words in into my head and heart a bit. I found that refreshing and fun. Thank you for taking the time to keep coming back with more. I love it!!!
Oh, and the classes thing, I meant classes on how to go about the 'business' of being a writer. I did not make that very clear...
You're totally right about the money and audience. I would expound, but this would turn into another Hub...
Gosh it's nice to smile - Thanks again!
This is indeed one fine hub of a writer who wants to make it and some one who expresses his journey of writing with utmost honesty.It was a great help to me,but i have some queries that i hope you will be able to answer Michael Ray King.
Since the industry that your are talking about is the vast one, therefore one cant and shouldn't write on everything as i feel one has to make a field of specialization in this big industry.Like i have my interest to write on political science, history, international relations; so it would be appropriate that i write on these field and not pursue to write on fields that are out of my interests.
hope you are getting my point, you posted a great hub.take care.
Hello mtariqsattar! Vast is a great description of the writing and publishing industry. Without a 'platform' or a niche field of writing, a writer can truly get lost. Most often I write on the subjects of writing/publishing, fatherhood and music as these are my passions and knowledge base topics. I do write poetry and fiction - my 'for me' writing. One day my fiction will be successful - well, it won't fail for lack of writing...
I totally agree with you. A focus in writing material is absolutely required (with, of course, the anomaly exception) to gather a following in writing. Great advice! Thank you so much for popping in to comment!
Thanks for the reply MICHEAL; well i am sure u wouldn't ever fail; i can see the passion, drive and motivation, you definitely have the right direction and approach towards being a one successful writer.
Rather i needed a piece of a advice on your part as you have already written few books.
Write what you want to write about. Published works that "make you" I think are few and far between. I wish you the best of luck though.
mtariqsattar, Oh, I understand now. Yes, focusing and writing on a targeted niche market is beneficial. My view is that you should write that which interests you most. That being said, if you have a particular area of expertise that others need to know about, that is a great option. I do not believe writing on only a couple subjects is required, but if you wish to build a name for yourself as a writer, you should have an area of expertise. Building a writer's 'platform' is an important step to marketing and promoting your work. In fact, the actual writing is only about 10% of the work. The other 90% is marketing and promoting.
Success, of course, can be determined in many ways. Ultimately, you define what success as a writer will be. Your topics of political science and international relations should be a very 'hot' topic. As long as this is a topic you enjoy writing, you should do well. Whatever you write, you should have a passion for the subject - and be willing to work hard on marketing and promoting!
Hello Ddraigcoch! I totally agree. A writer should write on the subjects that interest them, otherwise the disinterest may show through in the finished product. Many of us must write some material that is not quite our favorite topic, but we should be able to inject our enthusiasm for writing into whatever we produce.
Those of us who write fiction, I definitely believe you should write your passion rather than attempt to write for market. What is hot today may not be hot tomorrow. If you write your passion, good writing will win the day in the end, at least that's my idealistic view.
Hitting that true 'bestseller' homerun is difficult, especially in this day of 'manipulated' bestsellers. I agree those are few and far between, but a dream is a wonderful thing to chase!!! Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. All comments are much appreciated!
Thanks MICHEAL,I appreciate your advice.thank you so much.
Anytime mtariqsattar.
I enjoy writing about a Genre' of things. Interesting enough when I write something from within inspires me to do it. An angel on my shoulder guides me. I truly appreciate this well written hub and you have given great advice and tips. I WILL continue to voice my thoughts and believe that one day soon, my work will make it to the silver screen. :)
Hi AEvans, you drop by and leave great comments. I am thrilled to know you will continue to voice your thoughts. We all have a voice, and this day and age, our voices can take flight only if we continue to use them. The only guarantee is that if you silence that voice, it won't be heard. Thank you for popping by and pumping up my Hubs! I love feedback - it helps me maintain MY voice!
Doing what you love and love what you are doing has its rewards in more ways than one.Passion for anything is a marvelous thing. You demonstrate this well in your articles I have read so far. Sometimes money can be an awesome side effect. I do not however think it is the main reason most write. Thanks for sharing.
Hello pennyofheaven! Yes, I agree. For me, if I wrote for money as my main reason, I simply would not write. Money is a good thing, but for motivation to write, I do not find it helpful. That said, I desire (and need) to make money writing. Writing is a vocation and a business. Balancing the two becomes critical, in my view. Passion for writing and subject matter more define my reasons for writing. The most significant reason boils down to - I have to write, I have no choice. The bug bit me... Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I value every comment!
HattieMattieMae Level 7 Commenter 12 months ago
Maybe you have to find your purpose for writing. What is your purpose in life? What kind of message do you want to send out there, and how can it help other people?