"This writing business is over-rated."
For a lot of new writers, their image of being a writer is pretty glamorous. Thanks to television, movies and hearing those famous writers talk about writing, we often have this image of a pretty relaxed lifestyle. Writers get up in the morning, have a leisurely meal and sit down to write in a room with an amazing view. Deadlines never seem to be an issue and the stress of getting that story done is never there. To add to this, the invisible publisher seems to take care of everything.
This is far from the truth and something too many authors find out too quickly when they get that first contract from an editor or agent. Suddenly, the joy they had when writing that story is now filled with marketing, legal contracts, networking and so forth. What happened to their time to write?
Being a professional writer is tough work. You now have a lot of other people who are expecting things of you, beyond simply a great story. Even then, that great story you had in book 1 just set the standard for book 2 and 3. Your readers will always want bigger and better stories from you.
I always want to stress for new authors to take the time to decide if this is really what you want. If you simply enjoy writing and don't want that pressure, then maybe traditional publishing is not the path for you. But, please understand, I would not recommend saying independent publishing is now the direction. You will now find you have even more work since you don't have that "team" backing you from the publishing department.
Don't get me wrong, writing and publishing is great. But, be prepared, it is not just about writing a great story.
Good old Eyore! The only character j can thin, of who is beloved for being negative! The GREAT thing about writing is it makes you feel like God. You can have your characters do anything you bloody well please! Where else can you have that power?!
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