Every Journey is Different

Photo credit: creativelenna on Flickr

This is something I’ve said before, many times in fact, but it’s so important I think it deserves it’s own post.

We often hear about writers who debuted with their first ever written novels, writers who get an agent a couple days after querying, and writers who self-publish and are crazy successful seemingly overnight. We often hear about the outliers, the ones who hit the proverbial publishing lottery and when we compare ourselves to them, we feel…not good.

What we talk about less often are the writers who didn’t get an agent until their eleventh manuscript. The writers who work for a decade before seeing their work published, the ones who publish, whether self or otherwise, and mid list.

The thing is, publishing isn’t a one-track road. There isn’t a method or time frame that’s right for everyone, and there isn’t a magical twelve-step plan that can guarantee your success as a writer.

For some, the answer is self-publishing. It’s finding an editor, and a formatter, and a cover artist, and taking full control of the publishing process. For some, the answer is traditional publishing. It’s finding an agent and getting a publishing contract, whether with a small press, mid-sized publishing house, or one of the Big Five. For some, the answer is a mix of both.

The point is, there isn’t one answer. Everyone has their own journey with their own obstacles and lessons, and for some it takes a year and for others it takes ten, and in the end, it doesn’t matter.

In the end, we’re all in this together, trying to become better writers and create the very best work that we can.

What do you think?

Twitter-sized bites: 

Publishing isn't a one-track road, and other reasons why the comparison game doesn't work. (Click to tweet) 

Writer @Ava_Jae shares yet another reason why the comparison game doesn't help anyone. (Click to tweet)