Comments on: Are You your Job?

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 23 May 2016 15:44:46 +0000

Hi Janice, I totally agree – it is frustrating but luck also plays a part. There is only so much we can do and just because a certain book may not make huge sales, doesn’t in any way mean it isn’t a great story, written really well. All we can do is our best and then, like you say, chill. Sam 🙂

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 16 May 2016 14:16:12 +0000

In reply to Annie Lyons. Thanks Annie and great analogy. Yes sometimes it is nice to be the wallflower and observe, or just stay at home and get on with the work, instead of spending a lot of time singing and dancing. We should all step back more often. Sam x

By: Annie Lyons

Annie Lyons — Mon, 16 May 2016 13:35:08 +0000

Fantastic post, Sam – this is great advice. I personally find social media really overwhelming sometimes – it’s a like a lovely big party but you don’t always want to be at a party, do you? Taking a step back (and a deep breath!) is so important.

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 16 May 2016 12:07:44 +0000

In reply to Janice Cairns.

Hi Janice, thanks for reading – yes, that in my conclusion. We are only the face on the tin. A lot of other input goes into a book’s success and it isn’t all down to us as to whether it flies or not. Still, that sometimes doesn’t help if bad reviews or low rankings, for whatever reason, knock at our door. I guess we just have to be content knowing we have done our very best – and yes, hope to find a few four-leaved clovers 🙂 x

By: Janice Cairns

Janice Cairns — Mon, 16 May 2016 11:30:06 +0000

I enjoyed your post. I have thought quite a bit about some of the topics in your post. The way I see it, as a writer, you can put huge effort into perfecting your craft, you can also do a lot with regard to self promotion. However, my gut instinct is that it is beyond the control of one person’s effort to determine the absolute outcome. What I mean by this is you cannot absolutely determine how much actual success you get. I think as far as bestsellerdom in concerned luck and fate and timing have more to do with that. I do think making the big bucks is something of a lottery.
I conclude by saying that every author should do all they can to make the big league then simply relax and hope luck etc favours them. I hope I’m not sounding negative.

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 16 May 2016 11:21:38 +0000

In reply to Elaine Spires.

Thanks for that, Elaine – yes, it can seem overwhelming and is always comforting to know we aren’t the only one struggling. Keep on trucking – but keep perspective. I guess that is the message! Sam x

By: Elaine Spires

Elaine Spires — Mon, 16 May 2016 11:18:54 +0000

Great blog! I can really identify with everything you say. I feel that I’m sometimes almost begging, “Like my book! Please, like ME!” Writing is enjoyable but can be hard. As an indie everything else is overwhelming! Posts like these are encouraging; sometimes I think I’m the only one struggling. Thank you x.

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 16 May 2016 08:29:45 +0000

In reply to Terri Nixon.

Hi Terri thanks – yes I do think having another job can give a lot of perspective and distance. Although hats off to peeps – like you – who manage to juggle both. I don’t feel competition so much for other authors and love it when my friends’ books fly… I just find it hard not to use others’ success to analyse my own!
Sam x

By: Sam Tonge

Sam Tonge — Mon, 16 May 2016 08:27:41 +0000

In reply to helen phifer.

Thanks Helen – and that is a very sensible attitude. We just can’t please everyone – even mega bestselling authors have their critics. I guess we should really just be happy with feeling we have done the best for ourselves. Sam xx

By: Terri Nixon

Terri Nixon — Mon, 16 May 2016 08:17:38 +0000

Hard to know whether it’s better to write full-time, and be worried about competition with other writers, or to have a day job that takes you away from what you really want to do, but gives you another facet to your day. Seems there’s a lot to be said for both sides, after all.

Perhaps it’s because I have a low-graded, but enjoyable, job, that I don’t look on the success of other authors (as in rankings comparisons) as an indictment of the value of my own writing – but I do take ‘iffy’ reviews painfully to heart!

Great blog 🙂