How Do You Measure Success?
For the sake of argument, let's agree that our personal lives and family fall into a different category from our writing life. Okay? So, with that out of the way, how do you measure success in your writing life? Many of us are published, most of us are at least writing something, and some certain number probably considers themselves successful.
So, exactly what is your definition of success?
You might consider these categories of success:
A NUMBER of books published.
A CATEGORY that has sold a nice amount.
A SERIES in which readers ask, "What will happen to...so-and-so?"
A SERIES that has taken off and hit best seller lists on Amazon.
A CONTRACT for the manuscript of your dreams.

I'm sure we can name other situations in which we say to ourselves, "Wow. I am now successful! I feel so good about myself and my writing!"

For me, I find I can't even answer my own question. In truth, I don't feel successful, but I feel very good about myself...at certain times...and always, always look ahead and think...What if? Suppose? Imagine?

As of this week, my biggest selling story is a 99 cent Dime Novel from Victory Tales Press, titled Addie and the Gunslinger.

For me, this is a thrill, a lovely moment, a wonderful event. But does it represent true SUCCESS? Not really. I'm certain there's something more to this thing called "success."

I watched the Academy Awards Sunday Night, and just loved the presentations and seeing the stars all dressed up, and waiting in anticipation to learn the winners. Each person up for an award, in my opinion, was already successful. But did you watch George Clooney's face? This was really his big moment, his big chance for an academy award, and from what I read, this movie was his shining glory. It was his turn!

But a foreigner took the Oscar. I was sick for George Clooney. And from the look on his face, he felt like...a loser. Didn't he? His disappointment was written all over his face. Still, don't we see him as successful? Yes, of course! But...he did not see himself that way at all at that moment.

Success. Such an elusive, emotional, gut-wrenching feeling.
How do you measure success?
Celia Yeary-Romance...and a little bit 'o Texas
http://www.celiayeary.blogspot.com
http://www.celiayeary.com