When I dreamed of becoming a writer as a kid a major factor in my dream was the idea of becoming a bestselling author. I wanted have be on every bestseller list. I wanted to get a Pulitzer Prize. At the time I thought it was Pulit Surprise, but that’s another story. I wanted to write books that changed the world.
I still want to write books that affect people’s lives, but in a variety of ways. I don’t think being a bestseller is as important as I did before. I don’t think about being a bestseller at all. What I think about instead is how to earn a living with my writing. Read this great post about how it’s not necessary to be a bestseller. Check out this post by Joe Konrath. It busts the myth of the bestseller.
Instead of focusing on writing a bestseller now, I focus on writing the best book I possibly can. My goal is to write as many great books as I can. I want to write books that entertain. I also want to write books that make people think. The self-published authors that are most successful are also the ones that are most prolific. Having one book for sale isn’t going to make you enough money to survive. The more books you have for sale the better your situation.
If someone reads your book and they like it they’ll buy another book that you’ve written. If you only have one book they’ll read it and forget about you. That’s the problem with only having one book.
I know, I know…I only have one book. That’s part of my problem. I’ve been slow getting my books out. That is changing though. Flying lessons will be out in March. I also have another project that I’m planning on releasing in March also.
Oh yeah, there’s one more important part of becoming a successful writer–have a good time. You should enjoy writing. Your readers will be able to tell if you enjoy what you do when the read your books. People read books to be entertained, maybe they’ll gain an insight or two. If they do that’s a bonus. It’s a darn good bonus.
Now you might be thinking who am I to write all this about what makes a successful author. I’ll tell you who I am. I’m someone who just figured all this out and I’m so excited that I want to share it with you. Write a darn good book and then write another and then another. Love that books. Love your readers and keep writing. That’s the secret. That’s the secret that I’m following now at least. You can watch me to see where it leads, but I suggest you get started on your journey yourself.
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