This month's IWSG question is: WHAT ARE YOUR ULTIMATE WRITING GOALS, AND HOW HAVE THEY CHANGED OVER TIME (IF AT ALL)?
That's an interesting question...
I've been writing for a long time now. All my life really. But seriously, with an eye to being a published author, probably just over 10 years. I've learned a lot in that time, and as I've learned more about publishing, I've changed my goals.
I think like most writers, my ultimate goal would be to make a living as a writer. A good living. I struggle daily to carve out enough time to write and often just don't have the energy after a long day at work to write anything any good. So the idea of writing as a job that will keep my family and I secure has always been a dream of mine.
Unfortunately, the reality is very different. I've published three books now, and the money I earn from writing is nowhere near enough to support a family of four. I think my total lifetime earnings as a writer might be enough to take my partner for a nice weekend away somewhere. Somewhere not that far away from home, either.... Not that I've ever done that because I tend to keep my book money separate so I can use it to pay for publicity for the next book.
So for now, my goal is just to finish the next book and get it out there. And then the next. And the next. I'd love to find a publisher with good distribution around the world so I don't have to buy my own books at retail prices just to be able to get them into stores in the country I live in. Plus pay the enormous amount of freight required to get physical books over here. That makes it even more difficult to earn any money from my books because bookstores take a cut of the price, and when I'm already paying well over the standard retail price to get the books into my hands, every copy I sell through a store is a significant loss to me.
It's a double-edged sword. I want to be on bookshelves in stores, but it's actually better financially if people just buy the e-book.
What are your goals, and how have they changed?
I never realized about the costs of physical books compared to ebooks. I hope you find that publisher, and you keep writing the next book.
ReplyDeleteAh, to make a living as a writer. That's the dream, isn't it? I know a couple of indie authors who have achieved that status, and it's super impressive. Nothing I ever will achieve. My goals tend to be more along the lines of finishing the next book and then starting something new.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that about getting books in bookstores. That is a bummer.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be nice to be able to make a living off writing, but with how fickle the industry is, it's quite the slog. Crossing my fingers for you, though.
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