Hey, Writers — Our Success Isn’t A One-Shot Deal (So Don’t Act Like It Is)

Why do so many of us treat our writing careers like a lottery? Here’s some real talk from a veteran writer who knows what’s up.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

The word success is a loaded one, despite how common it is. Most of us have developed a habit of associating “success” with a single image, a thing, something that’s either achieved or not achieved.

We tend to forget the rather extensive middle ground contained in those seven innocuous letters.

Writers, in my experience, are especially prone to viewing success as a monolith — usually unconsciously. It’s a perception that tends to seep unnoticed through our more rational defenses, and once implanted it can be quite a disruptive force throughout our careers.

When you think of success as an all-or-nothing game, fellow writers, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Many varieties of failure, in fact…but luckily, all of them are avoidable.

Cue my dramatic, sweeping entrance (complete with a flourish of my flattering dark-navy-blue cloak).

Let’s address the concept of Writerly Success head-on, and hopefully, my experience will help you avoid becoming that guy. You know the one (pro tip…