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Here's how you know when you've achieved success as a writer.
Apr. 30th, 2008 | 10:08 am
It's not when you've made your first pro sale, or gotten an agent, or sold your first novel or even your fortieth novel. It's not when you have been asked to be the guest of honor at some prestigious con, or have been offered a reading slot at KGB, or have been interviewed by Hour of the Wolf. It's not when one of the podcasts asks you to be a reader, or you get your first royalty check, or you qualify for membership in SFWA.
No.
It is when you type "The End" on a story that you think is pretty brilliant, and you close the file, and somehow, against all odds, against all instincts, you manage to resist the urge to send it to ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF, EVERY EDITOR, EVERY WRITER FRIEND, EVERYONE, RIGHT THAT VERY SECOND in favor of letting the story simmer so you can come back to it in a week or two and make it better. Because no matter how brilliant it seems right at this moment, you know you can make it better.
THAT, my friends, is success.
Today, I am a successful writer.
No.
It is when you type "The End" on a story that you think is pretty brilliant, and you close the file, and somehow, against all odds, against all instincts, you manage to resist the urge to send it to ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE YOU CAN THINK OF, EVERY EDITOR, EVERY WRITER FRIEND, EVERYONE, RIGHT THAT VERY SECOND in favor of letting the story simmer so you can come back to it in a week or two and make it better. Because no matter how brilliant it seems right at this moment, you know you can make it better.
THAT, my friends, is success.
Today, I am a successful writer.