Even a short story can ripple through us like a pebble dropped into a pond and provide the inspiration we need to carry on. The world needs books. Keep writing.
When the world seems like it’s circling the drain, continuing the things we need to do, as well as the things we love, may appear pointless. In the writing world, it can be a hurricane of confusion because art mirrors society. But are we looking beneath the surface?
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I have over thirty books published, both traditionally and independently. However, my income and word count have gradually dried up post-Covid and haven’t rebounded to what they once were. I have no outstanding contracts. My indie projects are coming along at a snail’s pace. Stir in empty-nesting, menopause and losing a parent to the list, and my repertoire is flashing DROUGHT signs. So why keep writing? Here are 10 valid reasons for me to quit:
Cancel Culture
Free speech is the very foundation of a writer’s pen, no matter how acceptable or reprehensible. When authors have to think twice about writing their honest feelings and emotions, art and culture suffer in the long run. Muddy water gets muddier.
Market Saturation
According to Publishers Weekly, by the end of 2023 there were over 2.6 million ISBNs issued for the year*. That’s a flood of annual competition, and only a special few have big backers funding their marketing. For the average author like moi, that means more work, more money, and more gambling on ROI just to sell one copy. And less time with my busy editor.
Book Pirates
All of my books have been pirated, as in stolen or copied, at one time or another. Even my books with Harlequin. Because books require art, edits, copyrights and so much more, an author’s take per sale is pennies on the dollar. Book theft is a plague in the publishing world, and do you know who goes hungry? (I’m looking at you A.I. developers…) Authors do. That’s why the majority of authors have day jobs.
Imposters, Cons and Trolls (Oh, my!)
Part of adulting is accepting that not everyone is a good person. They may be few and far between, but some people are better at sweet-talking than they are writing and have no problem fibbing about their credentials and charging X amount of dollars to “teach.” Many contests and vanity publishers run cons that would make a card shark blush. Trolls? Sometimes you just can’t keep them under the bridge. (The best thing to do is keep the tribute in your pocket and just keep swimming as if they don’t exist.)
Copycats
Ugh. Remember the kid who always wanted to copy your homework in school? Sometimes even the most able-bodied writers don’t shy away from riding another author’s coattails. I’m not talking about inspiration and admiration here. I mean successful-enough writers who intentionally mimic names, plots, and even book covers rather than create their own ideas. Copycats stink.
Entitlement
While most consumers are gracious enough not to download pirated books, a small percentage don’t hesitate to contact an author directly and demand a free copy. Book reviews are necessary to get the word out, so most authors don’t mind if a reader has an active blog or an influence on the web. However, one person alone can’t cater to copious amounts of demands, especially when they come with threats or a sense of entitlement.
Taxes
On more than one occasion, my husband and I discovered we would pay less if I didn’t write at all, and I scarcely made minimum wage at the time. It pulled us into another tax bracket, and we paid more than I earned that year. After payments go out to others who take part in creating a book, paying taxes on what little that remains feels like being thrown overboard.
Lawsuits
This goes without saying. Legalese is necessary to protect us and our intellectual property, but honest mistakes are not allowed, and God forbid you don’t do your homework. Anyone who braves the public eye with a product is vulnerable to the sand lice of society.
Social Media Fatigue
Whether you are indie or trad, authors are expected to put themselves out there, and “out there” has become everywhere. It’s a lot of research, time, effort, money, vulnerability and stress. The average writer does not have a social media team, which means more time in front of a screen and less storytelling. I, like many authors, am drowning in the pressure of the expectations to have so many social media accounts. As a serious introvert, it is mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting.
Sedentary Lifestyle
I never knew this was a thing way back when I dreamed of seeing my books on a shelf, but here we are: vision issues, neck and back pain, and hundreds of calories left unburned and sent straight to my thighs. The writing life means hours a day in a chair. It demands exercise, and those hours are hard to schedule in. Have patience with your favorite author. We’re (probably) chunky, sore and can’t see worth a dang. At least I am.
But Don’t Dismay...
Even if these things sound disheartening, they’re still good to know if you’re considering writing full time. If not, I hope you understand writers and authors a little more. There are drawbacks to every pursuit. Knowing the trade-offs is important. As for myself, quitting my author dreams is overwhelmingly tempting in the current climate of my life so I’m trying to give myself grace, and I hope my readers will, too.
No Quitting!
Writing is art, and art is joyful. It acts as inspiration, comfort and counsel. It is a release, an escape and a coping mechanism. I know in my heart that a good book quenches many a thirst and heals many a wound. Being a writer is who I am. It’s an identity established early in my life by story time and learning to write words. My second grade teacher predicted it; my sixth grade teacher shared my work with the class. A couple high school teachers guided me in the right direction and college professors (and my high marks in the English department) also encouraged me. I am moved, healed and bettered when I create with words, even if I just float along for a while.
So no, I won’t be quitting anytime soon despite feeling low on the journey at the moment. I have faith that the tide will rise again, as will my spirits. I still have stories to tell, and rather than walk away, I’ll hang on to the belief that someone somewhere needs them.
And you? You keep creating, too, however you do it. We need every good ripple in the pond we can get to move the world.
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