This post, by J.A. Konrath, originally appeared on his A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing on 10/13/13.
I was on Kindleboards reading about the reaction to my last blog post where I shared my numbers.
During the discussion, someone brought up all the writers who have given up. It reminded me of a blog I wrote back in 2005, called Quitting. It’s worth reading. Go do it. You might also want to check out the comments, because I drop a lot of my philosophy about what it takes to succeed. Keep in mind, when I wrote this, I was netting about $25k a year writing.
I realize some may consider that successful, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy me. And it’s a big part of the reason I kept working my butt off.
I can now earn $25k in two weeks, or sometimes in a single week.
So, has my attitude changed since 2005? Do I think differently now?
I’ve said for years now that ebooks are forever, and forever is a long time to find your audience. It took me twenty years, from writing that first novel to making good (not great) money.
Are you willing to work for twenty years without pay? Without success (whatever your definition of success is)? Are you willing to keep at it, keep trying, keep learning, keep experimenting, when you may not have anyone to encourage you but your dog?
Click here to read the rest of the post on A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing.