Brad Vance nails it, again. And kudos for having the cajones to say what many of us think but are, um, too “polite” or shy to voice.
It’s tough out there.
Be the armadillo.
Yeah, a new year, and another awards season. I gotta say I hate it. And this year, I swear, I won’t look to see if I’m nominated on Goodreads, or who won at Divine magazine, or anything, anywhere. It’s not good for me. And here’s why, which will no doubt ensure I never win another 🙂
You see, to be a self published author who hasn’t yet attained big time success, to fight against the tide of overwhelming competition for reader eyes and ears, to beat back the disappointments and depressions that hit every time Amazon changes the rules, to ignore every statistic on the likelihood of failure, to watch your latest magnificent creation greeted with public indifference… It requires a certain characteristic, which very few successful writers will admit to out loud. And that characteristic is the absolutely true knowledge that you deserve every prize ever awarded in the history…
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I steadfastly refuse to check awards, or enter for awards…because why on earth would I set myself up to fail?! I have enough self-loathing already thanks anyway. I cannot, however, convincingly pull off ‘I am the greatest’ because I am not.
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Good insight on winning/losing by a successful author. Hope this gives you fuel for your inner fire.
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Said it on Brad’s blog, and I’ll share it here (Thanks, Diane!):
Absolutely! Amen. What I hate is all the blogs hosting their very own “Hooty-Hoots Best of 20(I don’t give a crap what year it is). I mean, really?? Do all these blog sites mean so much that people are drooling to win?
I guess so because where I come from, I get to hear, “Vote for me! I’ve been nominated for …” And it goes on and on ad nauseam. And I’m also getting sick and tired of hearing, “Oh, look, My book, “I Don’t Give A Rat’s Patooty,” is top something-or-other on Amazon. OMG, I’m so excited.” “Oh, look, I’m now a best-selling author on Amazon.” Okay, and that’s the umpteenth author who’s reached number one in some category and who’s become a best-selling author. About a gazillion of them. With Amazon’s mysterious algorithms, I’d like to know how many books that’s really NOT selling, but you’re made to think they’ve sold hundreds (maybe thousands).
When I first started writing, I immediately learned from writing books and others that you will not make it in this business, that lightning can strike but it won’t strike you, that only the lucky few get noticed, write because you love it and not for any money. The list goes on. So yes, I’ve started all this with the lowest expectations on earth.
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I hear you loud and clear, Scarlet! To me. posting a periodic collection of mini-reviews or suggesting authors that I find interesting, who bring quality, integrity and rocking good stories to the table, is a much better way to share our love of books and to pay it forward to writers who’ve touched me in some way.
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Isn’t that the truth! I’d much rather hear of another author’s books or an experience you’ve had personally, or be informed of something about the writing business. It’s much more noteworthy and valuable to me.
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