Blogger: Rachelle Gardner
The writing life has its ups and downs, as we all know. From many years of observation and experience, here are my eight best ideas for being a happy author.
1. Love.
Write primarily because it’s what you love to do.
2. Avoid comparison.
Resist comparing yourself to others. When you find yourself doing it—pull yourself back, pray, meditate, practice mindfulness or whatever you do to find calm, and remind yourself of all the reasons comparison is futile.
3. Manage expectations.
Understand that getting published for the first time is exciting and worth celebrating, but will not make you a different person. You will still be you.
4. Hold your writing loosely.
Refuse to idolize your own words. Let them be edited and made better from the input of smart people. Happily throw away the ones that aren’t good enough.
5. Overcome discouragement.
When you start thinking this whole pursuit-of-publishing path is hard, give yourself a reality check. Crab fishing is hard. Neurosurgery is hard. Being a fighter pilot is hard. You can do this.
6. Develop resilience.
Expect bumps in the road and determine to handle them, rather than letting each obstacle plunge you into an emotional pit. If you DO fall into the pit, climb out as quickly as you can.
7. Don’t let setbacks get you down.
Dream big and keep your expectations high, but manage your response to adversity.
8. Be grateful.
Writing is a gift and a privilege. Just the fact that you write means you’re literate, you have a computer, and you have something to say. Celebrate that!
What are some other ways to be a happy author?
Have a writing community! I know that my circle of writer friends have been essential to my happy writing life. We understand and support one another, cheering together and mourning together. I do not think I’d be where I am in my writing career without these friends.
Absolutely! I think of a writing community as much like a church community, you need that support and fellowship.
I completely agree, Susie!
So true. You nailed it.
BTW, I could use some prayer support today. I’m posting my first controversial blog today. I can expect some pushback if the topic gets any traction. I hope I’m ready for it. Some things take courage. This one did.
Do you belong to a live group or one that meets on line? I haven’t found that community yet.
I am never happier than when writing, but it’s so hard to find time to write, deal with marketing and social media, and still maintain a life. I would love to know how the rest of you do it.
(C. L. Smith aka Carolyn Smith)
I’d add ‘perspective’. If you change the course of one life, if you’ve replaced the despair in a single heart with hope…you’ve done the job.
* Or would you go to that person to whom your words were a lifeline and say, “Sorry, dude. I didn’t make the Oprah Book Club, and I’m a flop. Glad you got the message, but I WANTED MORE.”
You nailed it, Andrew.
Imagine getting to heaven and meeting even one person who says, “I’m here because of your words.” Is there any greater honor?
Spot on, Andrew.
Right again, Andrew! I had enough success in my career to know it’s ephemeral. My goal now is meeting folks in heaven who tell me my writing made a difference. That’s what will make me a happy author.
Thanks Rachelle.
It’s amazing how much I’ve learned from you and others and books & such.
Bless you.
I agree with Susie–have a writing community. I’m amazed at the sweet people God has brought into my life on this journey. When I’m sitting in a room of writers, I get goose bumps … it’s the sweetest feeling.
*Another way to be happy is to read, for educational purposes, of course. Reading makes me as happy as writing, just in a different way. I’m reading Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer … it is so good, excellently written. I love this learning process. 🙂
#4 is painful, but true. I’ve often heard song writers say “you have to be willing to throw away your best line.”
*Imagine how difficult that is when a song has very few lines to begin with, yet believe how much better your writing will be if you follow advice to chop the overused and unnecessary.
I don’t know if this falls into “happy” or “content/choosing content” writer. But remembering and believing that God is the orchestrator of our journey, and His timing is perfect. When we can embrace this truth, I think we can get through some of those discouragements a little more quickly.
*I loved your reality check in #5. 🙂
Remember to lift other writers up. Whether you believe in karma or have another word for it, you feel good when you help others feel good. And NOBODY knows the turbulence of a writing life like another writer.
OK, everyone, attention on deck and attention to orders – Go and read Norma Brumbaugh’s post. It’s terrific.
* What she wrote today…THIS is what being a writer is all about.
* Bravo Zulu, Norma!
Have a feline muse hanging around your computer. Hopefully one as cute as the photo you chose, Rachelle. 🙂
Definitely! 🙂 I have one snoring at my feet right now.
MY two cats have been trained to walk on leashes, sit and roll over on command, and beg. No doubt their vengeance, when they choose to deliver it, will be ghastly.
?? So true of cats! Beware.
Och, aye, and isn’t it, though? And isn’t one of these cats named Sasquatch, and hasn’t he had enough of that, yeah?
I once had a cat that walked with me … without a leash. I had put tiny jingle bells on my shoes, and he’d go pretty far with me. He’d stay right near me. Get home when I did. Lol. 🙂
Your first piece of advice–love it–is crucial. I know people who have to force themselves to write all the time, and I think, what’s the point? If you hate it, do something else. If you’re going to have a job you hate, you might as well get paid well for it!
Keep perspective. Who I am is not defined by success as a writer. I have goals and desires, however, writing is what I do not who I am.
Rachelle, good advice. In my own experience, lots of dissatisfaction (in whatever situation) comes from unrealistic expectations. If you choose to write in hopes of making a living at it, you’ll probably be disappointed (unless your name is Tom Clancy or J. K. Rowling). If you write because you find that you need to, have to…then, you’re a writer. And any success you have is just the cherry on top of the sundae.
The first time I received a hand written note from a reader about how much they loved my book, I was walking on air. I was happy and felt validated. Knowing how good that feels, I’ve always tried to let authors know how much their words meant to me when I’ve read a good book.
Rachel, I love your use of “resilience” since it’s my tag-line to “live a resilient life”. There will definitely be setbacks, but with a breather and prayer we can learn to be refreshed and really in “our lane” better over time. I also agree with Susie and Shelli about the writing community, too. Walking in our calling gives a great sense of peace and its own rewards, and most days that is enough.
Rachelle – so sorry. Little ones underfoot trying to make me spell things wrong, like your pretty name. Best to you!