So, I saw this image floating around on Facebook this morning, and I shared it because the message was so powerful (see it here).
But, as everything in life, it got me thinking about the author world and how we use numbers to measure our worth. When our books are selling well, we think: Wow, I must be a great author. So many people want to read what I've written!
Then comes the dreaded drop in sales or the horrific one star review.
Just like that, our worth seems to fly out the window on the wings of a fiery demon. We fall into a pit of despair, wondering who we were kidding when we thought we could write a book.
Now, I want you to look at those last five words in the sentence above: "We could write a book."
Rethink your stance right now.
You did write a book. Countless hours of your life were spent writing, editing, re-editing, editing again, formatting, and marketing that book.
Countless hours.
There are so many people in the world who say, "I have a book in me."
Do you know the difference between you and them?
You didn't talk about how you can write a book; you did it. Blood, sweat, and tears flowed from you to the page. Not once did you stop, throw down your pen/close your laptop, and give up.
No. You kept going, pushing through the doubt demons and naysayers. You published that book.
Fast-forward fifty years into the future. Your children are grown and have a couple of kids. Out there, in the book world, your words are still going strong. Even if no one is buying them, they're still existing.It's your legacy. You've made yourself a little bit immortal. Even if people hate your story, they haven't written a book, and they won't live through the pages forever. Take every opinion with a grain of salt.
So, I leave you with this:
Don't measure yourself against your sales numbers or star ratings. Put it all in a new perspective, and remember, you did it when others wouldn't. Even if you feel like crap about it today, it will still be there tomorrow, ready to carry your words through the millenniums. Be proud (it's okay to celebrate your own accomplishments--that doesn't mean you're narcissistic).
Scream into the ether just once today:
"I am f*ck*ng AWESOME! I wrote a book!"
If you're feeling froggy, I also encourage you to jump like the woman in the image above.
Huge thanks to Chelsea Starling for giving me the first part of that battle cry!
How do you get over the measuring of yourself? Plan to scream today? Tell me about it.
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
