An accountant who writes. A writer who's learned

Yes, it's true, by training and education, I'm an accountant.

Over the last 8 years, though, I earned my keep principally through writing. Technical writing, that is.

Now technical writing, though financially fulfilling, doesn't quite feed the soul.

So I wrote a novel.

It was fun, writing a novel—a truly rewarding experience.

And now, about a year—bang-on—since the novel's release, I can tell you that I've earned an education of a different kind.

Here, then, are ten things I learned about being a novelist

1. Writing is the fun part

2. Promoting isn't all that fun

3. All moms love what their novelist offspring write

4. Other than for other writers (and moms) most don't give a crap that you've written a novel

5. If extracted into an hourly wage, my book's earnings would leave me destitute even in a developing country

6. I'm intrigued by (and—if I'm honest—envious of) those debut novelists who break out big

7. If I were my accountant, I'd counsel my client to forget about this novelist thing—there's simply no money in it

8. I'm glad I'm not my accountant

9. It continues to thrill me when someone tells me they enjoyed my book

10. Though it's tempting to give up, every day I remind myself of this…

Ever tried. Ever failed.

No matter. Try again.

Fail again. Fail better.

(Samuel Beckett)