You are not a failure if you cannot live off your books.

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“If you’ve FINISHED writing a novel you are amongst the elite!!! You ARE NOT A FAILURE IF YOU CANNOT LIVE OFF YOUR BOOKS. You only fail by NOT TRYING.” – Nadia Cornier

I needed to read that quote today.

If you’re a struggling author of your own book, I bet you needed to read that quote too.

Thing is, writing a book is an amazing feat in and of itself. You’ve just put together a whole entire novel of thoughts, emotions, visions, relationships, trauma, and cleaned it all up into a neat (or messy) resolution. You’ve played God with a bunch of characters who would never have existed if you’d never given them life. You’ve succeeded in creating something that has the ability to take a reader on a journey through the confines of your mind, allowing them a glimpse into what your dreams are made up of. You are one of the great storytellers, sharing a tale that could be told for generations to come.

Do you know how many people are unable to do what you just did?

So even if your 6-digit sales ranking appears to be mocking you, your friends have quietly stopped following you on Facebook to avoid hearing about your book any longer, and you can count on one hand how many eBooks you’ve sold this month, YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE. Stop distracting yourself with numbers, ranking, and dollar signs. It will come, but it just takes time. For now, pick up your pen, or log onto your computer. And then write. Just write. Because that is the gift you have for the world. And if you don’t write it, your story will never be told.

xoxo

Crissi Langwell is the debut author of A Symphony of Cicadas.  Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

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20 thoughts on “You are not a failure if you cannot live off your books.”

    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      We all need a reminder of this from time to time, right? 😉

      Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      Yay!!!! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. Andrew Toynbee – I've wanted to write since I was in High School and have been accumulating story ideas since that time - although many of them became part of my 'never-ending story' collection. I finally succeeded in completing my first novel before the end of 2010. I refined it and began submitting it for publication in mid-2011. 2012 saw me still waiting for a nibble... However, ePublishing is something I've now embraced and my debut novel 'A Construct of Angels' is now available from Amazon, Kobo, Scribd and Smashwords. Find me at andrewtoynbee.wordpress.com Twitter @andrewtoynbee, Pinterest (Andrewtoynbee) and on Facebook.
    Andrew Toynbee

    Reblogged this on Andrew Toynbee's very own Blog and commented:
    This is so true. Even though it’s still early days, the idea that I may be able to retire sometime soon is still a distant dream. But it doesn’t mean that I’ve failed…

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      Thank you for reblogging! I posted this as much for me as for anyone else. I think we all need to be reminded of this.

      Reply
      1. Andrew Toynbee – I've wanted to write since I was in High School and have been accumulating story ideas since that time - although many of them became part of my 'never-ending story' collection. I finally succeeded in completing my first novel before the end of 2010. I refined it and began submitting it for publication in mid-2011. 2012 saw me still waiting for a nibble... However, ePublishing is something I've now embraced and my debut novel 'A Construct of Angels' is now available from Amazon, Kobo, Scribd and Smashwords. Find me at andrewtoynbee.wordpress.com Twitter @andrewtoynbee, Pinterest (Andrewtoynbee) and on Facebook.
        Andrew Toynbee

        I know. I just posted something on Sunday that said how people keep telling me that they are ‘honoured’ to meet me. I just think ‘nonsense’ and try to shrug it off as silly, but there’s a tiny little spark of pride that flares when someone says it…

  4. Christina Anne Hawthorne – Missoula, Montana, United States – Alive and well in the Rocky Mountains. I'm a fantasy writer who also dabbles in poetry, short stories, and map making. My Ontyre tales are an alternative fantasy experience, the stories rich in mystery, adventure, and romance. Alternative fantasy? Not quite steampunk. Not quite gothic. In truth, the real magic is in those who discover what's within.
    ontyrepassages

    That moment when the trials that writing can inflict have laid you low and then a helping hand appears…yeah, this post was like that. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      I started making the mistake of judging my worth on how big (or rather, small) my sales numbers were. That’s like judging how good of a person I am by the number on my scale. It’s not a fair judgement! I mean, come on, I wrote a book! Anyone who writes a whole entire book needs to understand they’ve accomplished something HUGE. The rest will come with time. But don’t let anything take away from that incredible feat!

      Reply
  5. JS Riddle – Indie Author of Supernatural Fiction. Publisher of Rise of a Queen, the first book in The Vampire Realm series and it's sequel Of Darkness and Light I love movies, books, video games, I live long and prosper and constantly attempt to use The Force (to no avail).I know what to do during a zombie apocalypse, although not sure what I would be able to do if the vampires were to take over the world or which side I would choose.
    JS Riddle

    Completely agree!!! If you finish a novel, it’s like watching your child grow up and whether they succeed or not, you still raised that child from infant to adult. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      That’s an excellent way of putting it (says the mom of teenagers, lol)

      Reply
  6. inkspeare – I am a freelance writer and the author of Moonlit Valley, The Dinorah Chronicles trilogy, and The Five-dollar Miracle. Writing is the air I breathe. My other venture is The Owl, Book and Candle. My view on life: "To do or not to do; that is the question." My dream: to become... My destiny: to fulfill my divine purpose. My reality: today, this instant. A favorite quote: "Those born with a talent which is meant to be used find their greatest joy in using it." - Johann Von Goethe
    inkspeare

    Somewhere, I don’t quite remember where, I read that for most indie authors, it will take at least 5 published books for them to start seeing results. I don’t know if that is true but it seems that indie who have made it on Amazon have published quite a number of books before they were noticed. Of course there is always the exception, but I agree with you, why worry about the sales.

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      That’s good to know. Only means we should keep writing! I’m down with that. 🙂

      Reply
  7. John W. Howell – South Texas Gulf Coast – I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.
    John W. Howell

    Great support for staying on target.

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      Thank YOU!

      Reply
  9. L. Marie – I am an aspiring writer of fantasy for kids and teens. This blog encompasses my thoughts on the writing life, movies, animation—whatever pops into my head (not always a good thing). I was a student at the Vermont College of Fine Arts and earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. I have worked as an editor, a ghostwriter, a technical writer, a bulk foods stocker, a receptionist, and a babysitter. I brake for squirrels and geese.
    L. Marie

    I really needed to hear that. I’ve been there and even waved bye-bye as the books were remaindered. So, thanks for the encouragement. Much appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Crissi Langwell – Crissi Langwell writes romance, women's fiction, young adult novels, and more. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her stories include ones of determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm, loves to meditate, and has tiny muscles from weight lifting. You have to look closely. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. Crissi and her husband are both Northern California authors with day jobs. Currently they are kicking their kids out the nest (2 down, 1 to go!), and can't help spoiling their beautiful, bratty Maine Coon cat.
      Crissi Langwell

      I battle this constantly, daily! But when I stop to remind myself of what I HAVE accomplished (and that things will develop with time), I can calm down….for at least a few moments. 😉

      Reply

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