How many of you would like to hear me say that suddenly publishing has become easy. It’s no longer a business. It no longer takes a left-brain approach in order to succeed as a published author. You can just write to your heart’s content and publishers everywhere will gladly accept your manuscript, quickly turn it into a lovely book and promote it forevermore to eager readers worldwide.
What if I told you, there is no need to hire an editor, your writing is wonderful the way it is. The publisher thinks so and your readers are crazy about it. All they want are more of your books. Your books are selling so fast that you have nothing to do but write, write, write. There is no need to dirty your hands promoting your books. Your audience doesn’t particularly want to meet you or receive promotional messages from you. They want more of your books. You’ve realized your dream. You have enough money coming in and your books are in such demand that you can spend the rest of your years writing anywhere you desire—tropical islands, an ancient city, in a rich forest someplace exotic…
There, are you happy now? Is this your dream? It sounds like a nice life for a while. But wouldn’t you miss having a connection with your readers? Wouldn’t you become weary of doing the same thing day in and day out? Wouldn’t you crave some of the challenges you’re no longer facing?
Each of us has a fairytale living inside. We all have our real lives and then our phantom lives—those involving unrealistic dreams and desires. For some of us, the two lives are worlds apart. Others live a mix of both the real writing life and the one that is only wishful thinking. Do you notice when you are actually living partially in your dream world? I feel it when I am having a really good writing day—my writing flows as if it has a mind of its own and I am loving every moment of the process.
I feel it when a client calls to tell me his manuscript was picked up by the publisher of his choice. I notice it when a customer lets me know how much one of my books helped her. I experience it when I’m facing a group of people who are each sitting on the edges of their seats listening to what I have to share with them. And I feel it when a publisher issues me a contract for one of my books.
I am even aware of it when I am walking on the beach on a glorious blue sky day or experiencing a new city where a writers’ conference is being held.
So what is my advice today? This is my roundabout way of reminding you all to enjoy the path you are on and to take it seriously, but remember to live a little of your dream along the way.
I would like to hear from those of you who resonate with my message today. PLFry620@yahoo.com.