I recently heard a new-ish writer complain that “nobody knows me, so I’ll never make it as a published writer.” That last bit about making it may be true. Success depends on many factors, but being a nobody isn’t one of them—unless the writer decides to make it so. At one time nobody had ever heard of Mark Twain, Hemmingway, Harper Lee, Jack Kerouac, Isaac Asimov, or Stephen King. As writers each of us starts from the same starting line of public awareness. Such awareness requires that the writer accomplish five basic tasks.
#1: Write a good story. That’s easy in the sense that writing is a joy; it’s the easiest job in the world. Writing does require discipline. To enjoy, and I mean to really enjoy the fun of writing, you have to have a daily schedule and you have to stick to it. Writing well develops over time, and the skill improves with age. The more you write, the better writer you become.
#2: Share the wealth. The worst judge of a writer’s work is the writer. The success of the work depends on the readers, on the market. It’s important for the writer to forget any qualms about being good or successful or recognized. Publish! Put the work on the market, forget about it, and move on to the next story.
#3: Become your own force multiplier. A force multiplier is something that increases the power of a single person, unit, or army. A writer’s force multiplier is his ability to produce more work. One-hit-wonders occur, but that’s no way to earn a living, support a lifestyle, or become known as a successful writer. Once readers find your story—and some will— they will want more. It’s the writer’s job to make sure that their readers’ desire for more is fulfilled. If they can’t find more, they move on to someone who is more disciplined and who produces sequels, prequels, and a continual stream of new works.
#4: Play the long game. Publishing today is easier, faster, and more profitable for the author than at any time in history, but the writer seeking fame and a fast buck will be disappointed. I can write a novel and have it published around the world within 30-45 days of handing the manuscript over to my designer/formatter. But my thinking is never focused on weeks or months. I think in terms of years—and I mean five-years-down-the-road thinking.
#5: Call your own shots. As noted, you must write to a schedule. Study writing, publishing, marketing, and something completely removed from writing (to keep your mind stimulated). Learn the ins and outs of publishing. The publishing world is still in turmoil over the Indie publishing revolution. As hustler Tony Curtis said in Operation Petticoat, “In confusion, there is profit.” Thanks to this confusion, writers have more options than ever. Use them to your advantage. Learn all you can about contracts and copyrights, covers and formatting, promotion and marketing. It takes time, and it’s all part of playing the long game.
Remember, each of us bolts from the same anonymity at the literary starting line. How far you go after the starter’s gun depends solely on you.
I am not concerned that I am not known. I seek to be worthy to be known. —Confucius
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