A reality check:

http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2009/10/true-story-of-struggling-writer.html

The writer says she's in an unusual situation, but it seems to me that only the particular circumstances are not so common. The general outline of her story is one I've heard from dozens of writers - including the commenters on this post.

Emma

An all-too-common scenario I reckon, Emma. Interesting blog. It definitely helps to be a realist if you're a writer. That was a perfect link for a grey blustery day!

God, how depressing. And don't you feel for that writer commenting who got a figure deal and her book bombed?

Just confirms what any member of WW already knows - being published isn't necessarily a bed of roses.

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a SIX figure deal

We think that success is being published - it's not

This is where I am. I said this to my husband the other day. I hear others who are published who are angsting about all sorts of other things and from where I am I cannot imagine needing anything more than being published.

But deep down I know and understand that's not all there is to it. I know, should I ever see my work bound up in a jacket and even possibly on a shelf or two I will also be angsting about all sorts of other things and I will then know that being published was just a small part of it all.

I agree it is depressing but I am so thankful I joined WW which has driven out the "I'm going to be a millionaire" thoughts, shown me the brutal reality of being an author - and still leaves me wanting to write

Sharon
xx

And don't you feel for that writer commenting who got a figure deal and her book bombed?

It's not really fair, weighing up different awfulnesses, but in some ways I feel this is worse. Harder to recover from professionally, certainly. Or maybe it's just knowing it could happen to me.

Emma

Wouldn't you think though, as a writer, that having a novel published and holding the finished article in your hands one of the best achievements - a personal success? Regardless of how many novels that you may have written?

I know that I didn't start writing or the publishing process with thoughts of J K Rowling type success. I did it because one, it's a superb and enjoyable hobby and two, because selfishly, I wanted to write something that I would want to read.

Having someone such as a publisher validate your work to the point of agreeing to publish because they think it has marketable appeal is awesome and a great achievement in itself.

If the book sells, all well and good. If not, what have you lost? Nothing. What you have gained though, is huge enjoyment in doing what you love.

I'm in the process of marketing my books as obviously any sales would be a lovely bonus and further validation on the work, but, if not much comes of it, so be it - it doesn't mean that I should think myself a failure, even if negative reviews were made. I'd learn and then possibly try something new.

Enjoy what you're doing is my advice and make no plans to be a career novelist!

http://www.peterjanes.co.uk

Whilst I can understand this writer's frustration, I can't say I've ever believed that getting a book published would be a route to instant financial independence. Writing is no different from any other part of what we might term the entertainment industry (films, books, music, art). Many talented people, in all of these areas, struggle in vain for years to be noticed, while others just happen to be in the right place at the right time with the right material. Some of those successful people, like this woman, then find themselves relegated to obscurity, through no apparent fault of their own, and are left wondering what hit them.

Maybe the attitude to adopt (for someone who has been published) is: I've been published once, so I can do it again. The important thing is not to take success for granted, because fans are fickle and professional critics are even more so.

Alex

As an unpublished writer I'm quite happy indulging myself with a little fantasy- you know, managed to get onto the Johnathan Ross show and tell him that 'in any other working environment your comments would be construed as sexual harrassment, you perve!' and have the BBC keep it in the final edit. (I know, I'm sad)

But at the same time, I know, if ever I get my words in print, that it will be hard slog, I may just cover the bills, if I'm lucky, or treat the family to a little holiday. But I don't care. I just love to write. That is, I LOVE the act of writing, be it tapping away on my keyboard or making my handwriting as neat and arty as I can, to scribbling as fast as I can before I forget my thoughts. I just love doing it. And that's before I even start to create worlds and characters.

But I still like to indulge my fantasies, nonetheless. You wouldn't believe who I'm best friends with...

Don't imagine that dreaming stops when you get published. After all, the chief professional skill of fiction-writers, at least, is starting from reality, and imagining onwards and outwards...

Emma

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The dreams to avoid, though, are the ones where you think that when X happens, Everything Will Be All Right. It won't. Some things will be better, other things will be different, still others will be worse.

And what's that really naff, cheesy saying? Shoot for the moon and you'll reach the stars, or something?

Shoot for the moon and you'll reach the stars

Hasn't worked for Nasa, has it?

I think we all have to keep in mind the old addage that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Nothing ever solves all problems; all that happens is that the nature of the problems changes (something I've occasionally pointed out to friends who voice a wish to win the Lottery).

And of course, life would become dull if something did solve all problems. What would any of us do for challenges/work/interest if that happened?

Alex