Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all do what we love most in life and still live comfortably? We see people doing exactly that all the time—high-profile winners, superstars, bestselling authors. And we all wish it could happen for us. Of course, we do. We want it to be easy. And for some, it seems to be. Some people achieve great success, and some faster than others. Some even do so on their first try, or so it appears.

However, most writers who work hard at their craft and produce amazing books also have to put in a lot of effort to get published and then keep working to promote themselves and their work. Many writers, like most creatives, spend their days working a job and then dedicate much of their remaining time to pursuing their dreams.

Whether we succeed in navigating the gatekeepers and the obstacles of traditional publishing or find another way to share our words, sometimes the publishing business can feel like playing the lottery. Especially when certain books suddenly garner national attention and popularity. But writing is art, and art is subjective. Not everyone has the same tastes, and sometimes, even when someone appreciates our work, they may hang it upside down or sideways.

That doesn’t mean we should take offense. It simply means someone found a different way to enjoy what we created—sometimes from a unique or unexpected perspective. We see the world through personal lenses shaped by our individual experiences.

Judging your work based on commercial success or comparing your journey to other writers’ is a surefire way to feel bitter or discouraged, unless luck is on your side. And luck in publishing is much like hitting the lottery—you need to reach the right person with the right work at the right moment.

And who knows what will hit and when?

It’s not always easy to stay committed and focused on writing while chasing that elusive butterfly we call success. Some days, you’ll receive five-star reviews; other days, you’ll get rejection notices from your publisher.

Through all the highs and lows of writing and publishing, I try to remember to live the dream and love the dream, even while working toward it.

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