Dawn Kinzer
1. It’s important to do what feels right for us.
I once thought I’d never self-publish. As they say . . . never say never. I’ve now become an indie author, and although that decision has brought some challenges, the rewards are many. Some of us may choose traditional publishing. Some may choose indie-publishing. Others may want to live in both worlds as a hybrid. Regardless, there are decisions to make in terms of platform, marketing, website formats, blogs, social media, etc.
2. It’s not a race.
It doesn’t matter if critique partners are published before us. It doesn’t matter if so-and-so has released twenty books to our one. That one book published at the right time can impact lives.
3. It’s never too late, and we’re never too old.
I sat at a writer’s conference some years ago wondering if it was too late for me. Talented writers half my age were signing contracts with publisher and agents, and the door hadn’t opened up for me yet. I came home from that conference filled with anxiety and a drive to work faster and push harder. I’ve since relaxed. Thank goodness!
By the way, did you know that Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish Little House in the Big Woods until she was sixty-four? Frank McCourt published his first book, Angela’s Ashes, when he was sixty-six, and he went on to win the Pulitzer, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the L.A. Times Book Award.
4. We shouldn’t forget to enjoy the journey.
I don’t personally know what it’s like to write for the secular market, but in a field that is so competitive, Christian writers are still generous with their time, knowledge, and encouragement. The friendships I’ve made with other writers have been and continue to be priceless. That alone has made this journey so worth accepting the struggles and disappointments that come with it.
5. We’ll never arrive.
What do I mean by that? One of the things I love about writing is that it will always be challenging. I don’t think we’ll ever arrive at the point where we can’t gain more knowledge and skills. There will always be more things to learn and more ways to improve what we do.
6. Through writing, we’re given opportunities to make a difference, and sometimes, even change lives.
From my perspective—that’s pretty exciting!
I once thought I’d never self-publish. As they say . . . never say never. I’ve now become an indie author, and although that decision has brought some challenges, the rewards are many. Some of us may choose traditional publishing. Some may choose indie-publishing. Others may want to live in both worlds as a hybrid. Regardless, there are decisions to make in terms of platform, marketing, website formats, blogs, social media, etc.
2. It’s not a race.
It doesn’t matter if critique partners are published before us. It doesn’t matter if so-and-so has released twenty books to our one. That one book published at the right time can impact lives.
3. It’s never too late, and we’re never too old.
I sat at a writer’s conference some years ago wondering if it was too late for me. Talented writers half my age were signing contracts with publisher and agents, and the door hadn’t opened up for me yet. I came home from that conference filled with anxiety and a drive to work faster and push harder. I’ve since relaxed. Thank goodness!
By the way, did you know that Laura Ingalls Wilder didn’t publish Little House in the Big Woods until she was sixty-four? Frank McCourt published his first book, Angela’s Ashes, when he was sixty-six, and he went on to win the Pulitzer, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the L.A. Times Book Award.
4. We shouldn’t forget to enjoy the journey.
I don’t personally know what it’s like to write for the secular market, but in a field that is so competitive, Christian writers are still generous with their time, knowledge, and encouragement. The friendships I’ve made with other writers have been and continue to be priceless. That alone has made this journey so worth accepting the struggles and disappointments that come with it.
5. We’ll never arrive.
What do I mean by that? One of the things I love about writing is that it will always be challenging. I don’t think we’ll ever arrive at the point where we can’t gain more knowledge and skills. There will always be more things to learn and more ways to improve what we do.
6. Through writing, we’re given opportunities to make a difference, and sometimes, even change lives.
From my perspective—that’s pretty exciting!
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