My dream has been simple for almost a decade now: I want to write YA fantasy novels. The escapism and inspiration I’ve found in books have allowed me to live thousands of different lives, like magic that’s been bottled up and released onto the page. What started as a fifth-grade pursuit to write stories I’d want to read has taken me to college, where I get to explore different genres while working on my own book. But what does it look like to make writing a career?
I know for certain it looks very different from writing exclusively for friends and family. Being so called to write, I’ve done research into the challenges of the authorial life, some of them being rejection, imposter syndrome, loneliness, and even more rejection. Developing a sense of discipline helps to combat those negative forces, but you mustn’t be so strict with yourself that you lack forgiveness for slow days. If you get a book deal, the sudden presence of deadlines can become a looming elephant in the room.
The publishing industry itself has changed over the years, notably with the influence of the digital world. The sale of audiobooks and ebooks has risen over the last decade as well as opportunities to self publish, increasing the already tense competition between writers. Even though the publishing industry has expanded, the number of people competing for a spot has too. The benefit to this is that readers are able to find books they’d like with a simple Google search. Penguin Random House wrote about this trend in an article on their website, noting the continuing desire of parents to provide literary recreation for their children. An article in Forbes predicts that in the future, print will stay strong, smaller publishers will find their niche, and publishers will look to podcasts and online marketing to reach more people.
I’ve known for years that writing novels isn’t necessarily a reliable career and one that many don’t make it in. If they do, it isn’t as lucrative for everyone as it is for the big, well-known authors. For this reason, many turn to copywriting, journalism, or other jobs while they work to get published. As much as I might dream of publishing dozens of books, I know patience is key and I look forward to exploring other work while I write away at my novel. It is tough work to embark on the career I’ve chosen, but I am eager to make it work. After being warned of the inevitable difficulties, the authors I know have told me of the pride a “yes” brings and the passion they’re able to utilize. Knowing I am following my calling keeps me brave in the face of the challenges ahead. Let’s write!