When Mediocracy is Good Enough

I watch America's Got Talent every week, crying when a contestant gets a standing ovation or the gold buzzer. Excited that they found their courage to take the step and share their talent with the world. But not all have that something. Most of them are average people hoping and dreaming they have that something special.

Aren't we all like that or am I the only one? Hoping deep inside, there is a talent that you can share with the world. Not to be famous, or make money but to be really really good at something. I have tried to learn so many things in my 60 some years. Ice skating, (could not do it) music--piano and the guitar and finally realized I am not musically inclined. Same with singing--my father told me to give it up. Ouch. And then I dreamed of acting but instead was given backstage duty in my senior play. I tried out for cheerleading, couldn't do the flips, and so I tried color guard. Not a chance. The list goes on. Is yours similar?

Then I turned to my love of writing. Surely someday I would be another Stephen King. Someone would read my book and make it into a movie. I'm sure all writers dream that dream. I'm no different. Finally reality stumbles through my door and reminds me that a zillion people write books. Few rise to stardom. Few books turn into Hallmark movies. Instead you must read reviews that make you cry, market into a vast void of emptiness and pat yourself on your back that at least you "did it."

I count the years I have left to pull out of average--out of mediocracy. Maybe if I studied harder. Wrote more often. Hired more editors. Maybe, maybe. Maybe I'm just not that good.

Ugh.

Like my musical ability or my physical abilities, maybe these other talents I'm trying to cultivate will always be hobbies and nothing more.

The question is: Is that ok? Can I live with being an average writer, photographer, etc. What if the one thing I'm good at will never be publicly applauded or recognized? What if the one thing I'm good at will always be between God and me? Is that enough?

Of course I know the answer. It's the answer that pops up each time after I work through another meltdown. Another reality check.

I have one audience and that is always enough. His applause deafens anything the world can bring at me.

Why do we writers write?

Here are my facts:

Traditionally published book 2015 with medium-sized publisher--sold almost 500 books made a little over $100 in royalties so far.Took two years to be published and write. Paid editor $$$+

Self-published book two weeks ago--sold over 50 books and have made more in royalties than above. Took over a year to write, a month to publish, paid editor $$$+

Article for magazine this fall--took ten minutes to write--earned $100 for 1,000 words. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul --took ten minutes to write--earned $200.

So why do we write with these kind of facts? In my ten plus years of writing, I know of only a handful of writers who made it with a big publisher and/or got a three book deal. When I owned a bookstore and attended conventions, I dreamed of becoming one of the writers people stood in line to get an autographed copy of their book. In reality, I knew that dream would never materialize.

But is it the dream that keeps us going? Surely not the time or money.

For me it comes down to this: I have stories I want to share. I want to take others on the emotional journey I have gone on. I want one or two people to think about what I wrote and maybe it will make a small difference in their life.

Is it enough and is that dream satisfying enough? 

Go back to the top of this post and spin your own numbers. But maybe you will be one of those who breaks through, makes a ton of $$ and I stand in line for your autograph. I hope that is true because it offers still more hope to many.

I write. I share, It's what I do. 

And it's enough. 

What I'm learning about Self-Publishing

I took on self-publishing with hopes I could birth a book that sat on my computer. I didn't realize that although part of the process would go smoothly, other parts would not. 

I started with Kindle Publishing--an easy process once I uploaded my edited book. The program virtually did everything for me. I then let my followers know my eBook would be available on Kindle. I decided to set a designated pre-order date to allow me to build an audience and create advertising. Part of me wishes I had not done it a month out, but as time passes, I'm glad I've had that time.

Why? Because readers asked me for a paper version and Nook version. 

Uploading the book to Barnes and Nobles was not as simple as Kindle. It took more work but when the final approval came through, I did a fist pump. 

But doing paper? I checked out CreateSpace and Kindle's version and finally, last Monday decided to tackle CreateSpace. Let me say, I learned more about laying out covers and my Word doc than I ever knew before. I am very techie challenged but persevered. I had to resize and design my cover, change the spacing and special effects on the book--I dreaded their emails telling me what my book needed still. On Friday, I ordered a proof. 

After determining from where my book would release, I dove into advertising. I began with Facebook and created a short video on an independent site. Facebook lets you set a price limit so I started with ten dollars and ran the video. Then I did a simple post announcing the Pre-Order status. My thoughts are I must get people to know about me and then my book if I hope for sales. I used to do advertising for my bookstore and do believe in constant marketing with ads within a budget. 

I've got 18 days until release. It's unknown territory and might flop. Or it might not, You don't fail unless you stop trying. I have not stopped yet.

I hope you never give up on your dream and give it all you've got! Life is short. Dreams color our lives. This is my dream--produce and present a book you will remember long after the lights go out.