Social Media Musings

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on social media from writers who are frustrated. 

Some of these writers haven’t finished their first novel yet and feel like they’re way behind all the authors who are already published and doing super cool things like book launches and signings.

Others have finished a novel or two but can’t seem to get an agent, or can’t afford to publish a book on their own. 

And others are published, but are having trouble marketing their books on social media, or aren’t making enough money to support their writing career.

Envy & Animosity

Sometimes this frustration or discontent with where we are pushes us forward, and motivates us to keep going until we’re closer to our goals. But most often, these feelings can grow into envy or bitterness toward other writers and authors.

No matter where we are on the writing journey, there will always be people who are “in front of” or “behind” us. 

No one is going to move at the exact same pace. 

We all have different lives and experiences. We all have different typing speeds and plotting methods.

So instead of comparing ourselves to the people around us, there are a few things we should keep in mind as we travel down the path of being writers and authors.

#1 Nothing Goes to Waste

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve abandoned a story that I put months of time, care, and effort into.

Letting go of novel projects, losing writing contests, and posting content to social media that gets ten views, two likes, and one automated bot comment is frustrating—but it’s not as pointless as it may feel. 

Every time you put effort into a story, you become a better writer. Every time you post a blog or a video, you gain experience.

Even if you have a failed book launch, or spend a bunch of money on ads and only end up selling a couple books, it’ll be worth the journey and the lessons that you learned along the way (even if it doesn’t feel like it for the first few weeks…or years).

#2 Comparison is A Crutch—Not A Catapult

Comparing yourself to other writers and authors won’t get you to where you want to go any faster.

The only way for you to get to where you want to go, is to actually work toward it.

Do you want to finish a novel? How much time and energy can/are you willing to put into writing and editing?

Looking for an agent or publisher? How much research are you willing to do? How many emails are you going to write? Will you let rejection convince you to give up?

Are you published but trying to sell more books? Have you thought about who would enjoy your story? How much time or money are you willing to spend on telling people about your books?

#3 Selling Books Isn’t A Competition 

Here’s a little secret: 

Readers READ. 

They don’t stop after finishing one book. In fact, there are some readers who read dozens of books a month, or even within a couple weeks (I know because I was one of those readers when I had more time).

The point is, readers will always be searching for their next favorite book. So your enemy is not your fellow writer. It’s obscurity.

Marketing is just telling people that your books exist. Readers can’t read a story that they don’t know about.

So we have to tell them!

If they like the genre, tropes, or premise of your stories enough then they’ll probably read them. If not, they’ll go find something else.

It’s as simple as that.

#4 Find Your Fans

On that note, you have a unique perspective that someone is going to love. Not everyone. But someone.

Your life experiences, worldview, vocabulary, education, and imagination all help to shape your writing style and inspire your stories.

Your style and habits will change and improve over time as you continue writing, so year after year, no matter how good you are right now, you’ll keep growing into an even better writer.

But no matter how great of a writer you are, if you write a story about dragons and someone who hates dragons reads it, they probably won’t like your story.

So marketing your dragon book to an entire group of people who hate dragons isn’t the best idea.

In that case, who should you market it to?

The people who love dragons.

It may take some time and energy to find them, but I’m sure they’re out there!

And that’s what good marketing is about. Finding the people who will love your stories.

#5 Know Your Goal

What are your true goals? What is it that you really want to accomplish with your writing? 

It’s easy to say that you want to write a novel, but ask yourself, “Why do I want to write a novel?”

Or better yet, “Why this novel?”

Are you trying to change lives? Inspire people? Or do you think that this particular novel would be a great commercial success? Both? Neither?

Knowing what your real goals are will help you plan your publishing journey.

If you want to reach a lot of people with your story then you may need to spend more time and energy on marketing. 

But if you published the story just because it was something on your bucket list and you don’t care how many copies you sell, then marketing might not matter as much to you.

Whatever you think your “why” is, I’d encourage you to pray, journal, and think it through. 

You might be surprised by the answers you find.

Before You Go…

Are there any writers or authors that encourage you to write and improve your storytelling, or who inspire you with their articles and social media posts?

Give them a shoutout in the comments!

Read last week’s article here!