Should I Continue On as A Writer?
It’s very tempting to quit the writing business. If some of your books are not selling very well, whether they are traditionally published or self-published, it could affect your attitude. I saw an episode a couple of nights ago of the well-known television series The Waltons that focused on this topic.
John Boy (the main character) was a writer. He wrote a novel about World War 2. He mailed his manuscript to his editor, who lived in New York. A few weeks later, John Boy traveled to New York. He discovered his novel had been rejected because it was very similar to the other books selling on the market.
The editor advised John Boy to write something new. John Boy got really
upset about the rejection. He had hoped his book would be accepted because he needed money to support himself. His attitude affected not only himself but his work, family, and friends. He admitted to his editor that he wanted to quit the writing business.
Did he quit? Well, you will have to watch the episode and find out! My point is that it’s normal for any writer to have writer’s block or to feel down about their work. Even the most experienced writer will have moments when their story is not going very well or it is not getting the approval from readers that they were hoping for.
One writer said on his website that he reads not just the positive reviews of his work but also the negative reviews. Why is he doing this? He wants to learn from his mistakes and make the next book better.
Writing is not an easy career. Most new writers assume that they will become famous overnight. Wrong! One thing that bothers me is that some movies and television shows often show new writers as instant successes.
They make the audience believe that editors always accept new writers on the spot. It’s true that they do sometimes accept new writers, especially if a new story fits their guidelines and message that they want to pass down to future readers.
So don’t be discouraged if your book is not selling well. And most important of all, don’t compare yourself to other writers! Each writer has his or her own unique gifts and qualities.
Keep on writing! Don’t let your book get you down! Put your trust in the Lord; he will take care of you.
Copyright 2023 Angela Lano
Angela Lano
Angela Lano is a freelance Catholic writer, book reviewer, and illustrator. She is a self-published author. Angela wrote and illustrated two children's picture books. They are called A New Auntie's Fear, and St. Therese: The Little Flower. She also wrote a children's fiction chapter book. It is called Hope And The King. It is self-published as well. These three books are available on Amazon.
My father was first ‘cellist in the Chicago Symphony and professor of ‘cello at Northwestern University. Toward the end of his career, in the 1970s, he advised young musicians to enjoy their music but not become professionals unless they really felt driven to do so. The number of excellent musicians was far greater than the number of available jobs.
I would say the same thing to young writers. If, like many of us, you feel a strong calling to write, then you should write. But don’t go into writing for the money. There are more than enough words being churned out. Write when you have something to say – a story to tell. Do so out of your love of writing and communicating with others. But you’ll be a better writer if you have a real life, family, job, community. Don’t see yourself as primarily a “Writer.”