IWSG – The Game of Success

Happy September folks. Is this the month that kicks off pumpkin spice season? I don’t really get into all the pumpkin inspired drinks, but I know many do, so if that’s you, live your best life and enjoy all the goodness! New month, means new IWSG post.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to write about this month. Last post I talked about my struggles with my self imposed deadline to get draft one of book three in my series completed. I’m happy to report I did finish it! Woot!!! It wasn’t easy, but it got done and that wouldn’t have happened without the support of my Squad. They are the real MVPs. Now, editing starts. Even though I’m on a tight deadline, I gave it about a week to rest and give myself some distance from the book due to the amount of stress it caused me. Seriously, no idea why I torture myself with the whole writing gig, but alas I do. 

Since my brain is still sort of scrambled, I couldn’t come up with a topic I wanted to chat about on my own so I’m answering this month’s optional question:

**How do you define success as a writer? Is it holding your book in your hand? Having a short story published? Making a certain amount of income from your writing?**

Do I have dreams of grandeur? Sure I do. Would I love to see one of my books turned into a TV series or movie? Hell yes, but I know that’s a slim to none situation for my chances. With each book I complete, I do get a bit of satisfaction that lasts for a day or two before the grind starts again. LOL

Money? Yup. I would love to know that the financial input of my books give me a return. Being indie isn’t a cheap endeavor, especially if you’re like me and have to hire out for a lot of things. Can I play around in Canva and possible come up with a half decent ebook cover? Sure, and I have. I enjoy playing around and practicing my skills because it will hopefully translate into me making better promo graphics. I’ve even played around and attempted to make a full paperback, that remains a failure. So I pay a talented designer to make my covers for me. Like with anything, price on what’s “cheap” or “expensive” is relative to your personal resources. 

I also pay for editing. That’s another big-ish expense that I sink into my books which pushes me more and more into the red instead of black. So, for the money side of things I’d love for my books to first pay for themselves (currently they aren’t) and later make a profit. When I finally reach the point where my books are income rather than expenses I’ll consider myself a success.

Also, like with the financial aspect, there is an emotional aspect to my writing. Another way I’d feel like a success as a writer is to have die hard fans. Readers who are clamoring for my next book. People who hype it up and do all the word of mouth promoting simply because they love what I wrote that much. I want people who want more from me and one-click as soon as they can. 

Mostly I want to not feel like I’m always screaming into the void. I want to know my stories matter. I want to know all the stresses involved in the business are worth it in the end. I want to get off the hamster wheel, running and running yet getting nowhere. That would be success to me. 

Okay, that’s all the rambling for this post. Have a great month.

Until next time,

~Meka

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.

The awesome co-hosts for the September 1 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!