I'm not sure that I'll ever be successful.

[Bramandin]

Not being good at writing is not an insurmountable problem, but even if I did make a good story, I'm not sure I could do the rest of the things for success.

I saw on Youtube that I need to start having a social media following or something, but I don't know how to be a likeable person and even pretending sounds like it would take too much energy to succeed... especially when I have a tendency to go a little nuts every once in a while, and I'm surprised that y'all haven't yelled at me for it yet.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Not being good at writing is not an insurmountable problem, but even if I did make a good story, I'm not sure I could do the rest of the things for success.

I saw on Youtube that I need to start having a social media following or something, but I don't know how to be a likeable person and even pretending sounds like it would take too much energy to succeed... especially when I have a tendency to go a little nuts every once in a while, and I'm surprised that y'all haven't yelled at me for it yet.

Define success... ?

Is it to be a successful writer with an agent and big publisher? Is it to bring out something you are proud of, even if it doesn't sell? Is it to write something that touches one person, somewhere in the world, or a zillion?

Once you know what success is*, in your own terms, then you can put in place what's needed to chase it. Social media isn't, especially now, the parameter of being successful.

*I mean, I sell very few books but lots of people think of me as a successful writer- mainly because I wrote a odd little book about Northern Ireland and aliens that has a life of its own now and gets mentioned in the strangest places - whereas I know I'm not successful in terms of sales, a common parameter. Which is the truth? I really don't know. But I do think this is what writing took me to, on a path I didn't expect, and, since it seems to be my door, I best enjoy it.

 

[Wayne Mack]

Do you enjoy what you do? To me, that is the primary criterion for any activity. Yes, the occasional little kudo, someone saying, "I liked that," is nice, but the vast majority of my writing time is just me and my laptop; social media, even this site, is a distraction.

Anyway, that YouTube poster has got it exactly backwards. Having a social media following does not lead to having even limited recognition as a writer. Does that poster have anything written that has garnered any attentions? I suspect you may have accomplished more in writing fan taction than the poster has even done.

Continue doing what you are doing in the way you are doing it. If you don't enjoy doing Twitter, or blog posts, or email blasts, then don't. Time is too short to be spent on doing things that one does not want to do.

 

[Bramandin]

Define success... ?

Is it to be a successful writer with an agent and big publisher? Is it to bring out something you are proud of, even if it doesn't sell? Is it to write something that touches one person, somewhere in the world, or a zillion?

Once you know what success is*, in your own terms, then you can put in place what's needed to chase it. Social media isn't, especially now, the parameter of being successful.

*I mean, I sell very few books but lots of people think of me as a successful writer- mainly because I wrote a odd little book about Northern Ireland and aliens that has a life of its own now and gets mentioned in the strangest places - whereas I know I'm not successful in terms of sales, a common parameter. Which is the truth? I really don't know. But I do think this is what writing took me to, on a path I didn't expect, and, since it seems to be my door, I best enjoy it.

True, I don't even know what success looks like. My next goal is to get my story on a site where I can put out a tip jar. It's optimistic to think I'll get any tips, much less enough to buy anything significant. Having my story be talked about seems nice.

Do you enjoy what you do? To me, that is the primary criterion for any activity. Yes, the occasional little kudo, someone saying, "I liked that," is nice, but the vast majority of my writing time is just me and my laptop; social media, even this site, is a distraction.

Anyway, that YouTube poster has got it exactly backwards. Having a social media following does not lead to having even limited recognition as a writer. Does that poster have anything written that has garnered any attentions? I suspect you may have accomplished more in writing fan taction than the poster has even done.

Continue doing what you are doing in the way you are doing it. If you don't enjoy doing Twitter, or blog posts, or email blasts, then don't. Time is too short to be spent on doing things that one does not want to do.

I think I heard it from a writing advice Youtuber named Jenna. Her book is listed as a bestseller, but it could be that it would be a flop if it stood on its own and might be relying on her plugging it on her channel.

Would I still write if I could look away from my screen without freaking out? Maybe I'd spend more time drawing and painting, but I couldn't make a living at that. I feel that a lot of people need to feel productive in some way, and that's why a lot of retirees freak out from boredom if they don't at least find a hobby. I would like to do something worth recognition, but I can't just sit around doing nothing and writing is a good way to avoid that.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

True, I don't even know what success looks like. My next goal is to get my story on a site where I can put out a tip jar. It's optimistic to think I'll get any tips, much less enough to buy anything significant. Having my story be talked about seems nice.



I think I heard it from a writing advice Youtuber named Jenna. Her book is listed as a bestseller, but it could be that it would be a flop if it stood on its own and might be relying on her plugging it on her channel.

Would I still write if I could look away from my screen without freaking out? Maybe I'd spend more time drawing and painting, but I couldn't make a living at that. I feel that a lot of people need to feel productive in some way, and that's why a lot of retirees freak out from boredom if they don't at least find a hobby. I would like to do something worth recognition, but I can't just sit around doing nothing and writing is a good way to avoid that.

I’m a bestseller. Technically I’m a multi-bestseller and award-winning. So are others here. Unless it’s something like NewYorkTimes bestseller, that label is no more meaning in terms of any other.

 

[Valtharius]

especially when I have a tendency to go a little nuts every once in a while

Don't worry, these days that's an asset!

 

[JunkMonkey]

I described myself as a 'Prize Winning Artist' on the back of my last comic. There was a little (very little) asterisk after it and if you looked at the bottom of the page it said:









*tombolas mostly.

 

[Swank]

Not being good at writing is not an insurmountable problem, but even if I did make a good story, I'm not sure I could do the rest of the things for success.

I saw on Youtube that I need to start having a social media following or something, but I don't know how to be a likeable person and even pretending sounds like it would take too much energy to succeed... especially when I have a tendency to go a little nuts every once in a while, and I'm surprised that y'all haven't yelled at me for it yet.

Plenty of famous writers are misanthropes. But you'll have to at least write something other than fanfiction.

 

[Teresa Edgerton]

I believe that for those who have a very popular social media presence their books have the same advantage in attracting readers as any other celebrity. (Which is to say that sales of their books reflects their popularity and/or notoriety.) But if one doesn't have what it takes to be a social media star, then it's likely that time might be better spent in writing and getting published (either trad or indie) a substantial and excellent backlist.

 

[Astro Pen]

Your first measure of success will be looking at a big stack of A4 on your desk and thinking, "Wow, I wrote that book".
Along with that will come the oft faced question - "So what the heck am I going to do with it?"
That is where the work starts.
I personally have no social media and don't want it. Twitter and the rest are very dangerous places to put yourself.
( Unless you have the charm of Gaiman or the media management skills of a Kardashian. (I am a grumpy old git and have neither ))
I chose, instead, to work through physical social (call me old fashioned) making direct contacts via conferences, referals, writers groups etc.
You can't really beat face to face interactions. It is so much easier a way to read and decide about people than through snippets of text, often faceless.

So heed @Teresa Edgerton sage advice above, and remember that your core task is to write.

But the important thing is to keep going. Stay dynamic. Remember the oft repeated line:
"It took me all my life to become an overnight success."

 

[Bramandin]

Your first measure of success will be looking at a big stack of A4 on your desk and thinking, "Wow, I wrote that book".
Along with that will come the oft faced question - "So what the heck am I going to do with it?"
That is where the work starts.
I personally have no social media and don't want it. Twitter and the rest are very dangerous places to put yourself.
( Unless you have the charm of Gaiman or the media management skills of a Kardashian. (I am a grumpy old git and have neither ))
I chose, instead, to work through physical social (call me old fashioned) making direct contacts via conferences, referals, writers groups etc.
You can't really beat face to face interactions. It is so much easier a way to read and decide about people than through snippets of text, often faceless.

So heed @Teresa Edgerton sage advice above, and remember that your core task is to write.

But the important thing is to keep going. Stay dynamic. Remember the oft repeated line:
"It took me all my life to become an overnight success."

Ah, I'm even less likable in real life and don't get any information from looking at people's faces except when they let their disgust with me show.

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Ah, I'm even less likable in real life and don't get any information from looking at people's faces except when they let their disgust with me show.

Then stick to social media

 

[BAYLOR]

Ah, I'm even less likable in real life and don't get any information from looking at people's faces except when they let their disgust with me show.

Bramadin, don't ever sell yourself short. you're just as good as the next person.

As to then writing , believe in yourself and keep trying.

 

[Bramandin]

Bramadin, don't ever sell yourself short. you're just as good as the next person.

As to then writing , believe in yourself and keep trying.

I'm as worthy as the next person, but unfortunately there are people who don't see it that way.

 

[BAYLOR]

I'm as worthy as the next person, but unfortunately there are people who don't see it that way.

Don't waste your valuable time on people like that.

 

[Phyrebrat]

I described myself as a 'Prize Winning Artist' on the back of my last comic. There was a little (very little) asterisk after it and if you looked at the bottom of the page it said:









*tombolas mostly.

I for one enjoy your artwork and strips. It’s always a little bit of joy when the email comes in from your mailing list.

Importantly, you’re actually producing something.

Plenty of famous writers are misanthropes. But you'll have to at least write something other than fanfiction.

I suspect a lot of writers are ‘othered’ in some way, too. Something about the escapism, creation and self-soothing inherent in writing acts like a panacea.

But most importantly, one has to produce something.

So heed @Teresa Edgerton sage advice above, and remember that your core task is to write.

Exactly.

I'm as worthy as the next person, but unfortunately there are people who don't see it that way

We all have our crosses to bear. I genuinely wonder what you expect to achieve from starting the threads you do. Many, many of us here are neurodivergent, ADHD, ADD, GDA, PDA, Aspergers, subject to depression, PTSD and god knows what else.

I’m a teacher who specialises in working with inner city young people who have challenging behaviour and/or SEND (special educational needs; autism and physical disabilities). What I have found is there is only so far I can mentor, facilitate and support someone who repeatedly ignores the help that is offered. In those cases the only real help is counselling and/or therapy.

On an achievement level, imagine how much you could have produced if you’d sat down and written your fanfic with as much effort as you post here. Something, anything, no matter how much your inner judge is critting you is better than nothing.

 

[JS Wiig]

I don’t know if I’ll ever be “successful” or not either, but is that really the point? Plus, you’ll never know if you don’t try. It takes a certain level of throw-yourself-out-there-and-let-the-haters-be-darned.

 

[BAYLOR]

I don’t know if I’ll ever be “successful” or not either, but is that really the point? Plus, you’ll never know if you don’t try. It takes a certain level of throw-yourself-out-there-and-let-the-haters-be-darned.

Well said.

 

[THX1138]

I for one enjoy your artwork and strips. It’s always a little bit of joy when the email comes in from your mailing list.

Importantly, you’re actually producing something.



I suspect a lot of writers are ‘othered’ in some way, too. Something about the escapism, creation and self-soothing inherent in writing acts like a panacea.

But most importantly, one has to produce something.



Exactly.



We all have our crosses to bear. I genuinely wonder what you expect to achieve from starting the threads you do. Many, many of us here are neurodivergent, ADHD, ADD, GDA, PDA, Aspergers, subject to depression, PTSD and god knows what else.

I’m a teacher who specialises in working with inner city young people who have challenging behaviour and/or SEND (special educational needs; autism and physical disabilities). What I have found is there is only so far I can mentor, facilitate and support someone who repeatedly ignores the help that is offered. In those cases the only real help is counselling and/or therapy.

On an achievement level, imagine how much you could have produced if you’d sat down and written your fanfic with as much effort as you post here. Something, anything, no matter how much your inner judge is critting you is better than nothing.

Wise words! For my part @Bramandin, I'm sorry for any part I played. Like it's been said, you are very talented and a skilled writer.
Anyway, I'll leave it at that.

 

[Bramandin]

On an achievement level, imagine how much you could have produced if you’d sat down and written your fanfic with as much effort as you post here. Something, anything, no matter how much your inner judge is critting you is better than nothing.

It's on AO3, Legacy of Kain section, and it's half the length of the Harry Potter series. However, all but two of the canon characters are dead, three if you count an ascended extra, so pretty much it's gone into the realm of only people who like it for their own right will read it because it doesn't do what fanfiction is supposed to.

I got another 2,000 words in the last nine days. A little boggy as far as how fast I can write, but not bad considering that beginnings are hard.

Am I posting enough to be annoying? I'd rather be called out on it directly if there's a problem.