You slave over a hot computer all day. Spent, you call it good and hang up your cape. Sooo, how do you know you’re doing a good job? Here’s some rockin’ ways to gauge your writing success:
Let’s Do It
- The president of Random House calls to personally offer you a book deal. Dang. This is supposed to be a serious post. Okay, the REAL #1 is: A sense of pride, accomplishment and release when you press the publish button or the send button. For reals, regardless of what others think, if you’re happy with what you’ve written, that is all that matters. You go, girl. Or, git on wi’ yo bad self. Or whatever Yay Me phrase floats your boat.
- Inspiration is not an issue. You don’t struggle with what to write next, how you’re gonna pump out four keyword articles in three hours, or what’s going to happen in the next chapter. You can’t wait to sit at the keyboard.
- Others are finding your musings amusing. Folks are liking what you are doing. They are smellin’ what you’re cookin’. They are pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down. Yo. Making people laugh is one of the key powers of writing.
- Oliver sudden, folks are contacting YOU for work. Instead of the other way around. Maybe you’ve got more work than you can handle and you have to enlist the help of your writing buddies to help you out.
- Your number is up. Umm, I mean your numbers are up. As a bonafide recovering analytics-aholic, I know the heartache and exhilaration of looking at the numbers. I gave up looking a long time ago, but if I had the sense my blog was taking off, I’d have a peek at the peaks. Up numbers also includes your advertising revs. An envelope from Google? In MY mailbox? Well, shucky-durn. Gonna be some veggies in the squirrel stew tonight.
- You are finishing what you started. You’re dusting off a few of those manuscripts that have been laying around and you’re holding their little hands whilst you tip toe through the tulips on the way to revision land.
- You’ve poked your head out of your hole and didn’t see your shadow. Winter is gone so you open yourself up to your writing brethren. You reach out to them and ask for advice, you join a writers group and you get off yourself enough to accept what other people have to say about your writing.
- Uh-oh. #6 and #7 had rodent references. Better head another direction. Rats. You garner the courage to approach those businesses or people in your community that you always wanted to write for but didn’t think you were good enough to talk to them. Say, how’s the view from Trump Towers? Tell Donald I said Hi and see if you can figure out why he stopped returning my calls.
- At parties, instead of meekly responding with a quiet “I’m a writer” when queried about what you do, you loudly pronounce the fact. In fact, you gush about your latest project and wax on about all of the things that are so cool about scribing for a living.
- Finally, your Mom, spouse, significant other, neighbor, friends all realize that this “phase” in your life as a writer isn’t going to pass. They accept the fact that indeed, you are a living, breathing writer and that one day they may even get a signed copy of your book.
There you have it. Keep on keeping on dudes and dudettes.
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How fun and inspiring, George! I always smile when I see a new post from you in my inbox – you’ve made my day!!!!!
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Happy Mother’s Day! =-.
Hi Michele,
So glad to hear I made your day. It was fun and inspiring to write this one too!
George
Great article!
April,
Thank you and Cheers
George
Great list George! I am enjoying the sense of quiet confidence I have now as opposed to a year ago. I’m not as frantic or anxious or defensive, I’m more assured and open to constructive criticism and able to brush off unconstructive negativity.
Hey Tracy,
Glad you came by. I do sense a calmer, grounded Tracy out there. That’s great to see. yeah, what a difference a year makes.
George
Right on, Mr. G!
What an inspiring post — thanks for making laugh today.
“Folks are liking what you are doing. They are smellin’ what you’re cookin’. They are pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down. Yo.”
Yee haw — pop the cork, light the grill, and get the skewers, things are heating up!
Lori,
Too funny with the BBQ reference. Might jes have to invite ya over for some vittles. Still got a mess of that there squirrel stew on the stove.
George
11. Your Facebook friends let you know it’s about time you got a fan page. (Probably because they don’t want to see your blog updates, but you choose to believe it is because they think you are getting famous.)
Write on, George, this post was hilarious.
.-= Tammi Kibler´s last blog ..Writing Career Goals – Plot Your Destination =-.
Tammi,
I love it! Fan me baby, ’cause I’m on fire!
Hehe, it was one of the funniest I’ve written for a while, and it was big fun.
Thanks for coming by!
George
Amen to #10!! (quick story behind this) I submitted my resignation to a job I had for over 6 years. It paid good, good benefits, but I was miserable. I wanted to write, I knew I was good, others told me I was too. Enter new stage in my life…. (as of 1/1/2010) Freelance Copywriter and Virtual Assistant. But does my family stand behind me to cheer me on? 50% does, LOL This was a great blog! =)
Jaime-Ann,
Absolutely inspiring! I kinda did the same thing. it can be hard to look over the edge of the cliff and take that first step, but it is so worth it. I can tell by your voice that you way happy with your choice.
Heh. I guess these days 50% is a good return on investment, fan-wise.
Great to have you come by, and thanks for the kind words.
George
George,
As always, I find your posts inspiring, insightful, and this one, down-right humorous! Thank you for putting a smile on my face today, and for clarifying that I, for once, seems to be on the right track.
Carrie
Hi Carrie!
Wonderful that this put a smile on your face. It’s the best feedback a writer can receive!
See ya out on the rails!
George
Hi George,
I always enjoy your humor. And what appears to be a newly found confidence; no more meek “I’m a writer” statements. You go George.
Ironically after three years of telling very few people I blog, I’m now “coming out”. When I hear others announce on TV they have a blog (you know, Larry King, Anderson Cooper, and some of the other big names), I’m saying, “Yea, me too”. I’m a blogger and darn proud of it. WooHoo!
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..The Eleven Word Challenge =-.
Barbara,
Good on you for coming out. When I think of how BWOAB has blossomed over the past two years… Well, I know you’ve put heart and soul into it and it shows.
hehe, my funny bone was in full active mode when I wrote this. It was great fun.
George