Yesterday was a bad day for me. Granted, I’m not the most patient person in the world, but the whole book/marketing thing really got to me. I was frustrated and seriously asking myself “Why bother?” I know many other authors struggle with this as well. It isn’t the writing part. It’s the marketing. It’s watching your sales come to a screeching halt with no clear way to make it better.
I came home late last night and I was so tired I considered skipping Facebook and Twitter. I had already RSVP’d to my own pity party. Not usually my style, but I felt like all the marketing stuff I have been doing recently has been a big fat waste of time, and I don’t have time to waste. I walked past my computer and went upstairs. My curiosity got the better of me, so I picked up my iPod. When I checked Facebook, one of my cousins had written on my wall that she had bought my book on Amazon and had just got it in the mail and couldn’t wait to read it. That made me smile.
Then there was a message for me on Facebook. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a message from someone I had not seen in years. In fact, she was a young girl the last time I saw her. She is all grown up now and wanted me to know that she was reading my book and loving it. She also said that she has written several vampire books herself. That made my day. (I warned her not to read the shower scene though *blush*).
No one had said anything about my book in days. A coincidence? I don’t think so. It’s more like God smacking me on the back of the head saying “This is why you bother.” It’s how doing something I love can reconnect me with a cousin and an old friend. It’s getting a chance to meet and encourage other authors. It isn’t about sales, it’s about people. This is absolutely why I should bother.
It’s crazy how a kind word of appreciation or encouragement has the power to completely change someone’s day. Keep loving and encouraging each other because you never know when you may be the one to make someone smile just when they may need it most.
Hi M.E.!
ReplyDeleteI read your first two posts and thought: "This woman writes like I do -- honest and raw".
Then I read the third post and I felt like you were speaking directly to me. Recently, I had been feeling just like you described above due to long hours at work (don't get me wrong; with the economy the way it is, I am extremely grateful to have a job); family obligations that always ramp up this time of the year and the constant fatigue and guilt I feel over not spending enough time blogging/tweeting/marketing/writing.
I don't feel so alone now and I don't feel like a failure.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading my blog and leaving a comment. We are all struggling in this crazy world trying to balance work and family with something we do for ourselves - writing. With all the everyday responsibilities taking priority, writing gets shoved to the back burner. You are definitely not a failure, and you are not alone.
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