My Big Mistake

Apparently, I’ve been doing this all wrong.

According to the experts, I’ve spent the last ten years making the wrong choices and decisions about everything in my writing journey.

I’ve written in different genres, without using a separate pen name for each. Not only that, I haven’t created separate social media pages, personae and newsletters for each one either.

I’ve not been posting on multiple social media channels several times a day, hosting giveaways, stacked promotions and all sorts of other things, most of which I either don’t understand or haven’t worked when I’ve tried them.

Apparently, you have to spend a lot of money and spend a lot of time to be regarded as a success, usually on some sort of training course or whatever else that particular expert is trying to sell you.

I’ve not been writing to market, nor have I continuously updated my covers to reflect trends.

Some of my less-than-complimentary reviews also mention that I’m sexist, racist, misogynistic, a woman, obviously American or possessed of some other flaw that’s contributing to my lack of success.

According to a reviewer, one of my books, The Hitman and the Thief, as you’re asking,  

“Could also have been written as a non sci-fi book (probably better).” 

Thanks for your support!!

Do you know what? I don’t care. This was supposed to be MY writing journey, not yours. When I started, I never thought for a moment that this hobby would make me any money, it was never intended to be a business. I was prepared to spend a bit on getting the books to look nice, to be the best I could make them because that’s how I am.

There seems to be a relentless push to make money from publishing. It’s as if the books are less valid if you don’t sell thousands of copies a month. People don’t always play golf or go fishing as hobbies to make money, why can’t I write without having my lack of income compared to some mythical target?

I don’t need the money, I’m lucky enough to have modest needs, which my pension covers. This is more to prove to myself that I can do it, that my teachers, who told me I was stupid and useless, were wrong.

You see, Mr. XXXX and Mr. XXXXX, I can string more than three words together!!!!!

So there.

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