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When do you admit defeat
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Charmaine
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Mar 26, 2015 09:42PM
Hi guys - I know the road to success is hard. I know that and I have been toiling away at the grindstone. I'm trying my best to promote myself, get new books written and promote the books that are already out there. But the sales are really lagging - pretty pitiful actually and I'm facing my publishers probably throwing in the towel on me. When do you concede defeat? When do you just let it all go and say to yourself - maybe this isn't for me. All of those hours when I could have spent with friends, family, husband and not writing, or earning more money doing something I can do to maximise my bank account. When do you think that maybe the books you write - well, nobody's really interested in them? I know writers face this all of the time - but I really need some realistic words. Do I keep writing because I love it and it works my brain, or do I keep on head to the grindstone? I really don't know the answer, but when I think about quitting I get a stone in the pit of my stomach that it's not working out how I want it to work out and I don't know why... I don't even know what I'm asking for here - anyone out there feel the same?
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How much work is your publisher doing to promote? Do they market & advertise or are you left on your own? If you're doing all the heavy lifting, I would suggest self publishing. That way you remove the pressure of worrying what your publisher wants, and you can publish at your own pace.
That's what I'm thinking as well... - they don't seem to be doing much even though they are quite big. I thought they would do a lot more, but it is left to me. I thought about trying for an agent?
Hi Charmaine - I just checked your author profile and a couple things jumped out at me. You have published quite a few books in only a couple years. You write Romance.Let me just say that many of us have been in the same hole you are in right now - you are not alone.
I really believe you need a break. You need to walk away from writing and spend a month or two reconnecting with family and friends. Once your keyboard collects enough dust, think about your writing goals. Are they reasonable in this market? Are you working too hard? Decide what you really want.
Obviously you love to write and I would never advise anyone to stop doing what they love. Perhaps you need to revamp your writing to accommodate changes in the market and the genre itself. It sounds like you may be in a rut. Examine how you could ignite your own writing.
Readers are mixing different genres and seeking more variety these days. I enjoy romance, but over the past couple years I've been drawn to more complex plots and characters. Now I prefer a "romance" to have additional twists besides the standard relationship angle.
You need to get yourself back on track, doing what you love, without it taking a toll on you personally. Forget the publishers, the promotion and the sales and work at getting yourself healthy and comfortable again. When you work well - everything around you works well.
I hope my comments help. Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.
Thank you for your comments, Christine. I can see your point and agree. It would be good to divert my attention to other things for a while - I think when things get to you, a step away for a breather is always refreshing. Thank you for your comments and for your thoughts. I'll take them on board. xxx
A.W. and Christine write sound common sense, Charmaine. At least, that is how I see it. You are lucky enough to spot that you may later regret not spending more time with family and friends and you are in a position to do something about it.I see you have won awards, so you can clearly write. It isn't you - it's the market. Millions around the world are releasing titles galore every year. No need to say more!
I'm cheered by Christine's words because I write romance but my books have been called by reviewers 'thrillers', 'mysteries' and 'suspense', and other things too and I've been worrying that I should stick to the one genre.
I hope you enjoy a breather which often lends clarity to a situation.
Charmaine, you've written more books in two years than I'll probably be able to write in a lifetime! That alone should be reason not to give up :)I've asked myself the same question you have, and I've discussed it with other authors as well. Honestly, I think the time to quit is when writing stops being something you enjoy. I've had to take breaks from writing several times due to family illnesses or other issues, and I agree that breaks can help refocus your thoughts.
When you're dealing with art there is no defeat.
You obviously love writing, so don't give it up even if you never reach the level of a Nora Roberts. I know musicians who continue playing in clubs and at fairs, but never each platinum record status; I know artists who sell their paintings at local fairs and to friends, but they'll never hang in a museum. It's the act of creating that keeps them going.Sure, we all want to get fabulously rich from our novels, but the truth is, we'll be doing good to make a modest income. What you said about writing working your brain--that by itself makes it worthwhile. But as others have said, you obviously can write, so don't stop. Get some balance in your life by making time for your family and other things you love, but never stop creating.
Never give up. Get rid of your publisher. Reclaim your rights. Self publish. Promote. It will come.
I've noticed that the suggestion of self-publishing has come up a couple times. IMHO I don't think this is the time to make major changes. You are already feeling overwhelmed and self-publishing will only add more pressure. You will do everything you do now plus everything your publishers are now doing. When things go wrong or we feel inadequate our human nature wants to place blame. Looking ahead and changing things based on solid goals makes much more sense. Taking the SP route is an important decision that should be made with a clear head, for the right reasons, and with full knowledge of the process.
Like I said in an earlier post - take that break. Decide what your true priorities are and how you intend to accomplish them.
Never give up. Continually write and monitor your presence on social sites. Do the best you can. A poet friend gave me this quote once and it really inspires me:• On the road to their destination
Lie the bleached bones
Of countless millions
Who – when at the brink of decision
Hesitated
And were lost.
Self-publishing if done right (and that's how you'd do it or why bother?) is expensive. The services your publish provides for free like editing and cover design you have to pay for yourself. Which makes selling books even more crucial, because you have to recoup your investment. I'd say stick with your publisher.By all means take a break.
Then it might be a good idea to redefine your idea of success. Is losing time with your family and friends worth being a bestselling author? And that's a huge long shot, something like 99% of published fiction authors are not able to support themselves on what they make writing. We're all bashing our heads against the virtual wall of cyberspace trying to get someone--anyone--to buy our books.
Bottom line, you are not going to make a lot of money writing. If money is an issue, then by all means, take a job that maximizes your bank account.
Spend time with your family. Enjoy what matters to you. Don't judge yourself by your book sales.
WOW - I'm humbled by everyone's thoughtful and heartfelt responses - and GREAT advice. I'll take everything on board. It sounds like you all have been where I am one one time or another and my heart goes out to you for that. It's a hard space to be in. I think a break is a good idea - gives you space to get ideas and thoughts into perspective. Again, thank you all for your help. I am humbled and thankful that you took the time to respond with your thoughts in your busy day. Charmaine xx
Shari wrote: "Never,never, NEVER give up!It's true you've written a lot of books in a very short span of time, but if you like writing, maybe taking a break isn't the answer.
Authors are told to write as many..."
Hi Shari - thank you for your honest help and reply. I agree with the covers - I went along the lines that maybe the publisher knew more than I did, but now I'm toying with redesigning the covers myself (I'm a graphic designer - more than 20 years). I know how the covers can be strengthened. Maybe I should come up with a concept and see if they'd be willing to switch the artwork and revamp the books that are already out there. Charmaine xx
DM wrote: "Never give up. Continually write and monitor your presence on social sites. Do the best you can. A poet friend gave me this quote once and it really inspires me:• On the road to their destination
..."
I love that poem - it's what I say to myself all of the time - that those who just chip away day by day eventually get there in the end. Very heartfelt and lovely poem.
Judy wrote: "Self-publishing if done right (and that's how you'd do it or why bother?) is expensive. The services your publish provides for free like editing and cover design you have to pay for yourself. Which..."Hi Judy -thank you for your comment. I know I'm not the only one out there who feels the same. LOL. I love writing so much that I really would miss it if I stopped completely. It's become such a part of my life and I consider other authors I know my friends. I terms of the job - I actually said it in a bad way oops - I work three days a week and feel guilty that I'm not out there full time. I have relatively young kids at home (primary school ages) and my husband has a big job where he is away travelling every other week. I just feel torn between taking a bigger job and taking care of the family - mothers guilt and all that. You can never win. Hey - maybe that could be an idea for the next book LOL.
Charmaine, I've been asking myself the same question. I have self-published three books in three years, none of them successful and this year I'm taking a break. I'm sure I'll produce another later, but for the moment I'm doing other things.If anyone would like to be a guest author on my website www.ritaleechapman.com please contact me through the website.
I was lucky enough that I was able to be at home for my daughter. She's in college now so that's all behind me. I have to say that I have no regrets about choosing to spend my time with her as opposed to going out and marketing my books or working in a cubicle either punching numbers into a data base or wearing a phone headset and apologizing for things I had nothing to do with (Customer Service), being the only jobs available here.Not to make you feel guilty, but honestly, you only get one shot at your children's childhood. There will be plenty of time to market books when they're older.
Remember this, when Paul McCartney was asked which of the many accomplishments in his life he was the most proud of, he said his children.
A writer writes! That's what writers do.Hey, at least you have a publisher.
Charmaine wrote: "Hi guys - I know the road to success is hard. I know that and I have been toiling away at the grindstone. I'm trying my best to promote myself, get new books written and promote the books that are ..."What was the dream?
If you are a creative (like the most of us on these boards) you probably won't be able to sit still for long without writing, painting, singing or doing something creative. Don't let your book sales dictate what you do. I don't worry too much about that myself for the creation process is what drives me, not whether someone purchases what I created.It sounds to be like you are burnt out. Most pro writers who I've read say a writer should write something everyday, even if it's one word or one sentence. I think you shouldn't put a hold on your writing, but perhaps analyze your writing vs. life balance and limit the amount of time you write each day.
Charmaine wrote: "When do you concede defeat? When do you just let it all go and say to yourself - maybe this isn't for me."As long as your dedication to your art and craft is not harming your health (or the health of anyone else), you're free to go on. If it's hurting just your health and you don't care, you also can continue.
If rejection/no sales are making you miserable and anxious, you have to say, "It is a rotten predicament but it's just temporary. I'm going to write another book that's going to get noticed and bought and read and liked because it's going to be the best book I've written. And readers are going to like it so well that they'll get curious about my other books, too."
Sometimes--fairly often, in fact--it's very helpful to step back from that part of the process that is not-writing, i.e., publicity, sales, promotion, etc. That stuff is important but it's not really what you do best (or maybe much at all). What you do best is write. And the writing is the only part of the endeavor you can control.
Many times I've asked the question you are asking now, in this form: "Why not just stop?" My answer is always that I cannot accept anyone's presuming to tell me how to live and how to be. I know I'm a writer because I've sustained my interest and my effort for many years with very little encouragement and absolutely no profit worth mentioning. Given that my dedication is real and its integrity deeply felt, why would I allow anyone--an agent, an editor, any number of readers who don't care for my book--to tell me, in effect, "No, you can't do that."
No one's breaking my pen, not now, not ever. So, I'd say, unless writing is making you more miserable than not-writing, never give up.
Trust yourself and appreciate your gift. Desire to create is an instinct. To deny and suppress desire is self-destructive. We must express what is alive within us.
I think you should write for the sake of writing - that' why you embarked on this quest - right.If you need a rest, then take a rest.
I believe that if you enjoy writing, you'll pick it up again.
I suppose it comes down to if you're driven by sales or the joy of writing - Only you know what your motivations are. As early expressed in this thread, try and remember why you started... Maybe because you had a story to share.
Best of luck and keep your chin up. : )
Charmaine wrote: "Hi guys - I know the road to success is hard. I know that and I have been toiling away at the grindstone. I'm trying my best to promote myself, get new books written and promote the books that are ..."Don't give up. Sounds like you've got burn-out. I've taken weeks and months, a year away from writing because I had nothing to say at the time. Anything I wrote during that time was crap. I really believe there is a syndrome called "Writer's Block." It's born of fatigue, stress and life getting in the way of creativity. Right now I'm taking my time with the next new book. It is due to be released this year, but it may go into next year. I don't know. One thing I do know is that I have stories to write and they will come. I'm happy. I'm not going to be the next big thing, but I am going to write.
I don't know if one ever reaches a point of defeat if they have ideas to share with the world. You never know which ones will catch on. I think it takes three important parts, one - have ideas...lots of ideas. Two - have stay-with-it-ness. In other words, if you start a project, see it through. Three - don't look at it as a get rich quick thing. People will and won't like your ideas, but your ideas have value because they have been shared with the world. And those who like it - revel in it - those who don't? Meh, don't take it personal. You can't please all the people all the time.
I can't imagine ever calling it quits. When I put a new one out there, I tend to focus in on terms of success and defeat--Will it sell? Will anyone like it? And it drives me batty for a few days-weeks. But I finally bring myself off that anxious ledge by reminding myself that I write for me, not for fame or money. Not saying that wouldn't be nice. If I ever get a successful book out there, all the better, but I write because it fulfills me, it is my passion and the thing that makes me even happier when I'm happy and makes me feel better when things aren't so hot.
I'd give up if I didn't enjoy it anymore. However, not only is my writing an outlet for my darker side, but I also enjoy writing my stories. And I have fans, which means more to me than my admittedly meager sales.Tuesday I will be promoting the first book in the series on ENT - let's see if that gets some results.
Hi Charmaine! It helped me to read your post (been there, still there) and all the heartening replies. I have three books published, and now four unpublished manuscripts that publishers are chary of because of poor sales figures. It's a tough industry, and unfortunately you can't just write for the love of writing, you have to wrestle with the industry. With all the advice you've got, I'm sure you'll figure it out. For what it's worth, I'd say -- keep going. With seven books out, AND published, you are almost there. Maybe you'll never be a bestselling author, but if you have a decent readership, you should be happy. Here's what I'm doing: I have some commissioned work -- scriptwriting for a comic series -- and I'm going to concentrate on that until it's done. After that I'm going to give it everything I've got and see if I can write something with a wider appeal than what I've done so far. What I'm saying is, since you love writing, you could take a writer's holiday... write for someone else, make some money and then get back with the tiger in the tank!
Charmaine, I have to admit I haven't read through all of the comments your question has sparked--there are a lot of them! But my advice is to go with what's in your heart. If you stop writing, will you miss it? Will there be a void that needs filling in your life?No question, self-publishing is difficult, but if your publisher isn't promoting your book, then why not look into publishing your own work?
Keep in mind though that all writers, no matter how experienced, benefit from a good editor, so if you decide to go the self-publishing route, be sure you don't skip that important part of the equation.
Dennis wrote: "I don't know if one ever reaches a point of defeat if they have ideas to share with the world. You never know which ones will catch on. I think it takes three important parts, one - have ideas...lo..."Nice perception. Looked at your website and see that I've had similar issues with publishers. First book with a publisher, I never made a dime. He said he'd edit it but did not. In the paperback there were even misspelled words. With the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th I self-published and even made a few bucks. Next sci fi novel is going to be submitted through Amazon. We'll see.
One advantage of going with a publisher is that you don't have to pay for editing, printing, etc. In other words there's no upfront cost to you. But if the editor does a poor job and even misses spelling mistakes, and the publisher doesn't promote your work, you may not be gaining much in the long run.
Jasenn wrote: "Dennis wrote: "I don't know if one ever reaches a point of defeat if they have ideas to share with the world. You never know which ones will catch on. I think it takes three important parts, one - ..."I feel your pain...I really, really do, but you know, again, thinking positively, I try to look at everything as a learning experience. The way I see it, the day we stop learning is the day we stop growing.
I actually put all the notes on the bookshelf and said I'm not finishing this book. I knew a few people over the years that never finished that book they worked on. Over time, I realized I missed sitting at the computer with these characters. I actually dreamed about them. It took friends that remembered stories that got me back to the computer. It took time to get re-interested again.
This isn't like sports. There's no point when you're ever too old. You get better over time, not slower or less focused.
You can take a time out and go back. You can still sell that old book to a new audience. Mix Tapes and Stuff will be a year old in a few weeks and there are still plenty of people to market to.
I think you can take a breathe and come back when you're ready.
Dayle wrote: "Charmaine, I have to admit I haven't read through all of the comments your question has sparked--there are a lot of them! But my advice is to go with what's in your heart. If you stop writing, will..."Your comments here are what made my decision two years ago to leave a traditional publisher - lack of support, having to take on my own marketing, editing issues. I was already doing it all so I figured don't quit - do it myself. The hard things to swallow were bias and despite the fact that I was getting five and four star reviews, the books weren't selling and that was due to marketing. I haven't stopped writing, though. I don't consider myself a failure.
I think that you are getting a lot of answers to a question that you didn't ask, so I'm going to try to help you answer the question that I think you are actually asking.It used to be that there were two kinds of writers: the kind who wrote for fun, and the kind who wrote for money. Sometimes the kind who wrote for fun wanted to be the kind who wrote for money, but there were these external entities, publishers, who stood in their way. Not every writer could write for money. The ones who wanted to write for money had to write for fun, and just keep submitting, and hoping, and working toward the day when they could be the kind who wrote for money. They, I would imagine, had few illusions about the likelihood that they would ever make enough money to live on.
Then came self-publishing, and everything changed. Now we have two kinds of published authors: the kind who publish for fun and the kind who publish for money. The kind who publish for fun are hobbyists, who just want to "put their book out there" and "get a few readers." They don't (openly, at least) care if they make any money (I firmly believe that they are all secretly convinced that they are one book away from riches beyond imagining, but that really isn't the point). Then we have the kind who publish for money: authors who really are publishing for the external rewards that authorship can bring.
There is nothing wrong with this, by the way. If I were going to publish, I would be that kind of an author. As it happens, I can make a lot more money as a lawyer than I am ever likely to make as a writer. I also enjoy eating, and living in a house, and feeding my children. Therefore, I am a lawyer, not an author. I am relatively risk averse, and "author" is a risky business.
It sounds like you are that kind of a writer, too. So, the question you should ask yourself isn't: should I stop writing? The question is: is this career that I have chosen worth the opportunity cost of what I am giving up on the off chance that I will ever be successful to the degree that I consider myself a success. No one can tell you what that degree is but yourself. But once you've decided that you write "for a living" if you aren't making a living, then these are questions to ask.
There are never guarantees. It is probably sort of like gambling, with the rush of possibility when the next book is released, followed by the crash of reality when it drops like a stone into a sea of other books and gets little to no attention.
No one is entitled to a career in the arts. If you have independent means, then by all means, be a dilettante forever. But if you have a failed dream, you only have two choices: you can either give up the dream (and find a new one) or keep trying to overcome the failure. And please note that I am not calling you a failure - my opinion is irrelevant. The only question is what do you consider yourself.
I think it is also fair to ask yourself what you are asking those around to give up for you to pursue this dream. At some point, other people in your life will have their dreams, and you can't be the only one who is pursuing dreams. If there is no tension, if there are no gentle suggestions that maybe it's time to do something different because this isn't working, then pursue the dream a while longer. But if it has become a constant source of drama and tension in your life, then, perhaps, it is time to stop publishing.
You never have to stop writing. But if you go the route of self-publishing, you can expect your investment to increase from what it is now (the time you spend writing) to what it is now + all of the stuff your publisher now finances (editing, cover art, time spent marketing). If you are unhappy with your ROI now, it is unlikely to improve substantially with self-publishing, at least not immediately.
Anyway, I wish you only luck.
Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "I'd give up if I didn't enjoy it anymore. However, not only is my writing an outlet for my darker side, but I also enjoy writing my stories. And I have fans, which means more to me than my admitted..."Good luck, Martin.
Ellen wrote: "The hard things to swallow were bias and despite the fact that I was getting five and four star reviews, the books weren't selling and that was due to marketing. I haven't stopped writing, though. I don't consider myself a failure."I know what you mean. I'm currently involved with a forum where authors exchange a lot of information on how to use keywords and how to promote your work. I've taken a few tips from them that have already doubled my sales for April in regards to Jan/Feb/March, and we're not even halfway through the month. Also, I lowered the price of my first book in the series to 99c and bought a promo on ENT, so I can see how that works out.
Word-to-mouth promotion still works the best, as most readers find new books through recommendations by other readers, but you need some critical mass. If nobody knows you're out there, nobody will buy your books. I got plenty of responses, both in private feedback as in reviews, that readers are glad they found my books. So you have to make sure your books are easy to find...
Moonlight Reader wrote: "I think that you are getting a lot of answers to a question that you didn't ask, so I'm going to try to help you answer the question that I think you are actually asking..."I wish there was a 'Like'-Button, so I could like your post. And you're absolute right.
I need to write - it's an outlet that gives meaning to my life. I also have fans, people who found my work and enjoyed my work and are impatiently waiting for my next publication.
I'm a realist, though. My mother was an artist whose work was praised, but I think she was lucky if she didn't lose money. My art is less expensive than hers (painting, pottery, textile murals), so it's easier for me to keep my overhead low and make a (really, really small) profit.
I know that success in art relies on a combination of self-promotion, networking, and most of all 'right time, right place, right people' (what some would call a lucky coincidence), where your stars are aligned and you catch a break.
Although I strive for high quality, I know that for success, quality is often irrelevant. Many quality books end up in thrift shops, while books that are painful to read (in my opinion) make the authors wealthy beyond compare. With those authors, they often knew the right people, networked like crazy, knew how to market themselves better than other authors, and so on.
If all you care about is sales and your work doesn't generate enough sales, no matter how you network/promote/align stars in your favour, and you don't enjoy it anymore, you are allowed to call it quits.
Life is too short to spend it on chasing pipe dreams, especially if you don't like the pipe or the dream.
Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "I think that you are getting a lot of answers to a question that you didn't ask, so I'm going to try to help you answer the question that I think you are actually asking....."Pressing the virtual Like! button, Martin. Rather than quit when the money didn't fall from the sky and the family wondered why, I stepped back, realigned the priorities. I look now realistically at the industry, the market and what I contribute. I am not secretly hoping I'll be the next big thing or that money starts coming in. I just write and encourage others to do the same if they have that passion to write.
Striving for excellence doesn't mean your striving will be recognized or even appreciated, so you need to enjoy the striving itself above the rewards you might harvest.
Ellen wrote: "Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "I think that you are getting a lot of answers to a question that you didn't ask, so I'm going to try to help you answer the questi..."The question that I always have when I see posts like this is: why, then, do you publish your work for sale? If you honestly don't care about money, if you are writing as a hobby, why publish on a commercial website?
Maybe you can explain it in a way that makes sense, because no matter how many times I read it, it just doesn't make sense to me at all. I understand the theory behind writing as a hobby and not publishing - I do this. It's a nice way to while away the evening hours when I'm disinterested in reading, and don't want to watch television. I understand the theory behind writing and publishing for sale in the hopes of creating a second (or even a first) income. But I don't understand writing as a hobby, with no real desire for sales, and then putting my work up for commercial sale. This is why I do speculate that everyone who self-publishes is secretly convinced that they are one book away from hitting the lottery. It's the only thing that makes sense to me.
I have a secular job as a paralegal. That supports my family. I've always written, and I've received awards for my writing. What I don't have time for is the marketing and promotion right now. Right now, the royalties I've received are enough for a month's commute and they are steady. I'm not fretting because I'm not making six figures or even the salary I have as a paralegal. I commercially publish because I actually have a small fan base that likes my work - and no, they're not my family or friends. I ask my family and friends to not post reviews.My question to you is why do you care since you have already posited that you would be an author who seeks monetary satisfaction.
As an attorney, I can imagine (perhaps in error) how satisfying it is for you to see your case published in one of the reporters. Your work made a difference and the case became case law. I have the satisfaction of making my small but growing fan base happy and wanting more of my stories - just because I'm not in it for the big bucks doesn't make me any less a writer or author.
Ellen wrote: "I have a secular job as a paralegal. That supports my family. I've always written, and I've received awards for my writing. What I don't have time for is the marketing and promotion right now. ..."I said neither that it made you less a writer nor that it made you less an author. I also don't particularly care, I was just curious because I see this a lot, but it has never made sense.
I'm not an overly mercenary person, but I guess I can't see why someone would spend the money required to make a book presentable enough for publication, as well as open the book up to public criticism without possessing a desire for financial rewards at the end of it. Neither of those things seem very enjoyable to me.
And it is only satisfying to see one of my cases become case law if the law is good. A legal bromide that is painfully true is that hard cases make bad law. And really hard cases make exceptionally terrible law.
Moonlight Reader wrote: "The question that I always have when I see posts like this is: why, then, do you publish your work for sale? If you honestly don't care about money, if you are writing as a hobby, why publish on a commercial website?"This is a question I have often pondered when I see authors saying they don't care about sales or money, they just want their book read. There are numerous sites where writers can share their work (for free), gather a following and receive feedback. Wattpad is just one such example - and it has a handy app so people can read stories for free on their devices. There is no need to invest in publishing on Amazon when you can load the story for free on Wattpad and with the app it is just as easy to read as having a kindle.
Publishing well takes time, money and resources. Often when you scratch the surface, people bemoaning the lack of readers are actually looking for paying customers.
Thanks for your comments - I respect them and your vocation as an attorney. I've not made myself clear because it's clear to me, and I apologize for that. When I discovered I wouldn't make a lot of money, I decided that I'd write to please my small fan base and make my books available at a very low cost - that way I do get paid something. That being said, it still is all about the artistry and craft for me.
A.W. wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "The question that I always have when I see posts like this is: why, then, do you publish your work for sale? If you honestly don't care about money, if you are writing as ..."I trust you've had a good experience with Wattpad, A.W.? As for publishing well, yes to time, money and resources. One can't just click that 'send' button on the screen and expect money and accolades.
Moonlight Reader wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Martyn V. (aka Baron Sang-Froid) wrote: "Moonlight Reader wrote: "I think that you are getting a lot of answers to a question that you didn't ask, so I'm going to try to help you ans..."Moonight Reader, writers who don't make big (or any) bucks still want to be published because writing is a sort of performing art, and reading completes the process of writing. Imagine you are a storyteller. You love to tell stories, but would you stand up in the middle of an empty room and yak away? That doesn't make sense to me, but I would happily tell my story to one little child who enjoyed the story.
