What Happens When You Go Viral: On Wanting to Give Up

I recently found out that the hit count on my Relevant article back in June was over 1.6 million. The editor told me it was the second-biggest traffic day in the history of their website. That’s mind-boggling to me.

If you had asked me a year ago what I thought it would mean to have a piece get that much exposure, I would have assumed it would be my big break. That it would boost my blog, lead to freelance opportunities, help connect me to the right people. That it would be my open door into the world of professional writing and publishing. That it would bring me validation and satisfaction. It would reassure me that what I’m doing here isn’t pointless and that my story matters.

Do you want to know the truth?

It hasn’t done any of those things. For a few weeks I received a lot of emails and messages from people thanking me for my story. I got to write a few guest posts on the topic. But no one has offered me a job and I haven’t landed an agent. 1.6 million people read something I wrote and my blog still has fewer than 200 followers. (If that’s not discouraging, I don’t know what is). And as much as I would love to say I don’t care about any of that, in the world of professional writing ( by which I mean writing in some capacity that pays the bills) numbers are what matter. How many subscribers do you have? How many followers on Twitter?

All I’ve ever really wanted to do since I was in kindergarten is to be a writer. I’ve tried other things and I’ve cultivated other interests, but writing is the only thing that has consistently excited me. I’m under no illusions that I could make a career out of blogging, but I would love to have enough paid work as a writer to support my family while doing something I love. And, like most writers, I would love to write a book someday. But these past few months I’ve become more and more convinced that I am not cut out for what “being a writer” means today.

Being a successful writer is no longer about craft or talent or art. It’s not about having the deepest insights or the most profound observations to share. It’s often simply about who can shout the loudest. Like high school student council elections, success in the blogosphere is a popularity contest. It’s about who is the most provocative, who is the most visible on social media, who is the most aggressively self-promoting.

I admit that I’ve dipped my toe into that pool. This summer I (very reluctantly) got a Twitter account. I hate it. I almost deleted it within 30 minutes of registering. I’ve tried to network with other bloggers, to write and invite guest posts, to comment other places, to submit pieces to other publications. But pursuing self-promotion doesn’t feel right to me. Reading someone else’s posts and looking for ways to insert myself and my work into the comments goes against some of my core values of sincerity and authenticity. These are things I’m not willing to compromise on.

In my last “What I’m Into” post I confessed that I’d been reading like a chain-smoker, using other people’s words to try to hide from own. I’ve read a few posts about this struggle lately (here and here ). Honestly, I was a little shocked and disheartened. One of my friends is working on a book and has landed a really great agent. One has a completed manuscript she’s starting to send around. I look at them and think, “If only I had an agent…” or “If only I had a finished manuscript…” Perhaps they look at me and think, “If only I had a million-view article…” And yet, we seem to have hit a collective wall. We are all struggling to feel that what we are doing matters.

I confess that I frequently get angry with popular and successful writers whose blogs I find poorly written and uninspiring. I don’t believe in quantity over quality – in pushing points that don’t need to be made just to generate content. There are a million voices out there and there are many moments when I don’t think the world really needs mine. If all I’m doing is adding to the noise then I’d rather be silent.

I want my writing to be about creating something beautiful—about art and passion and sincere wrestling with (sometimes fragile) faith. I want it to be about telling truths and naming every day grace. I want it to matter.

I’ve been rolling a book idea around in my head for at least eight months. There are some stories I want to tell, but I am afraid. This stage I’m in as a writer is one where I carve off a chunk of my heart and fling it out into the world and watch it disappear into the distance without even the consolation of hearing an echo back to let me know I hit something.

I am afraid of failing, yes, but here is an uglier truth. I am also afraid of hard work. Or rather, I am afraid of hard work that goes unrecognized and unappreciated. I am afraid of 1.6 million people who say, “Your words don’t matter.”

I want to give up.

And yet, I can’t quite do it. I can’t completely walk away. Because this space has changed me. In some ways it is healing me. I’ve made friends here. I’ve found a tiny community of artists who are fighting to say something true. These people inspire me. And I’ve experienced moments of extraordinary grace from readers, some whom I’ve never even met in real life, who have sent encouraging emails and have shared their own stories, who have sent me articles and books that are dear to them, and even one who bought the most beautiful cook book I’ve ever seen and mailed it all the way to Korea.

Jim Carrey once said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”

I’ve never been rich or famous, but I can tell you that as a writer, having an article go viral is not the answer. And it seems that having an agent or finishing a manuscript is not the answer. Satisfaction and conviction that this work is good and that it is worth doing has to come from somewhere else.

I don’t know what the next few months will look like here on the blog, but I’m committed to trying to figure this out. Should I write? Should I not write? What should I write? And why? And for whom?  Hopefully I will find a way forward–a way to be able to do what I love without compromising the kind of person I want to be.

___________

****EDIT: I just wanted to add a  note letting you all know how much I appreciate all of the kind and supportive comments I’ve been receiving on this post and for all of the new followers. I am really overwhelmed by your generosity and support. Online interactions can sometimes be so negative and all of your kind words have really touched me. I may not be able to respond to each and every comment, but please know that I’ve read every word and I appreciate them. I know I’ll come back to them in moments of discouragement. I’ll be checking out a lot of your blogs over the weekend. There’s a phrase we use in Korea that means “Don’t give up! You can do it!” It more or less translates to “Fighting!” in English.  So to all of my fellow writers, artists, and creators, “Fighting!”

Image source: Wikipedia.org

 

956 comments

  1. Writing v. marketing – This struggle of the modern writer trying to make a dollar will not be ending any time soon as more and more people expect all intellectual property to be free.

    I had a chance to hear the former Poet Laureate of the United States, Billy Collins, speak last month. He was most correct is saying readers will only care what a writer has to say when they see their own selves and emotion in a piece of writing. Convincing them to open their wallets to then pay for the privelege rarely happens.

    I held a book signing for my novel COME NOT TO US last weekend. The cyberpress event announcement garnered 6K+ hits (big for my tiny town). The day of the event about 15 people showed up on purpose. Accidental attendees numbered in the single digits. The highlight being that two of the people I have never seen in my life each bought a book. Small victories. I do not expect to sniff your rarified 1.6M air anytime soon. Keep creating art.

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts – I have to admit, having a novel to hold a book-signing for sounds like a tremendous accomplishment to me. Congratulations on publishing! And thanks for the perspective. It’s true that even people who enjoy art can be reluctant to support it financially (myself included at times). It’s a good reminder to really support the people whose work you believe in. Thanks for reading! Best of luck with promoting your book!

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  2. Pingback: Where to find Art | Leigh's Notes

  3. Great words. Writing isn’t just a passion. It’s your voice and it’s kind of hard when there aren’t many people that’s listening. It’s discouraging, and at the same time heartbreaking.

    But you just can’t stop writing. Because to do that would be like you never have a voice at all. You will feel lost and unjustified.

    Keep on doing the thing you love. There’s no substitute for that. Of course, the realization of life will hit you hard. But never lose that spark.

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    1. I do think it’s hard to distance yourself from your writing and that makes a lack of interest in your writing feel like a personal rejection. But I think the important thing is remembering the encouragement we receive from people who do care and letting that count for more than sheer numbers. Thanks for reading and for your encouragement.

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  4. As a fiancée of an aspiring author, I can understand the struggle of ‘why should I bother’. I know that with millions of other writers out there it can sometimes seem pointless & like you’re not getting where you went to be . But that shouldn’t stop you,that should drive you. Do it for you & only you. If others like it, bonus, but that’s not what matters, what matters is that you complete your story, be proud of it & know that you’ve achieved something you’ve always wanted to, whether anybody else cares or not, no matter how long it takes, it’s what matters to you that counts. Especially if for the rest of your days you’ll wonder ‘what if’…

    Go for it, do it for you – you’ve got to look out for number one. Anyhow, good things come to those who wait…

    Good luck, KLB. xo

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  8. Lily, Well your words matter. This is your story, superlative and genuine. You have actually inspired me, and my needless worries of how many followers I have is waxed away. God bless you dear.

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    1. Well,it’s definitely a surreal experience, and I don’t mean to be whiny about something that was a huge and undeserved blessing. But, like most things, reality is different than the dream. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement. Hope you get to experience going viral yourself someday. 🙂

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      1. Thanks 🙂

        If I ever posted something that went viral it would certainly be an undeserved blessing. If it has to happen, I hope it’s the original story I have ready to go at 6:00 tomorrow morning.

        Anyway, keep up the good work, God bless.

        James

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  12. I believe you should put the effort into writing a novel. You have something, the views have proved it. I say blog for fun, write a novel on the side. On a plus note you have a strong writing voice! Throw that behind a character who desperately needs something and your novels halfway done 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much for your thoughts and your encouraging words about my writing voice. That’s one of the things I work hardest to achieve as a writer. And I like your idea. Just have to get up to guts to start. 🙂

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  13. This sounds a bit like a “poor me” article. From the sounds of it you don’t take pleasure in just writing becasue it is how you express yourself (which is what true writers do it for), you’re saying that it’s not worth the hassle if you go unrecognized? Do you need validation from 1.6 million people to feel that your words were worth writing? If so then by all means stop. You ask why? And for whom? Well, because writing is part of who you are, not just something you do; an actor will still act without an audience, and a writer should still write without readers. We write because if we didn’t we would be denying who we are. Are you a writer? Then write. I will write for the blind if they are the only people not otherwise preoccupied by another writer. I don’t write for the readers or recognition, I write for me.

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      3. So you care more about getting paid than writing for yourself? Don’t whinge about it, either write because it’s who you are or stop because you aren’t getting paid. It’s just an article to get sympathy and people to tell you you’re a good writer.

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      4. One day you may get tired of working for other people. I am 33 and have been in the military and also worked numerous jobs from washing dishes to currently IT tech. I have two kids that I would love to see all day. Right now I write a blog that had been running for two years and just hit one million views. I don’t write for a living yet, but I would like to. That is why many of us understand her frustration. Maybe one day you will be responsible for someone other than just yourself. Then you will realize how sucky it is not to get to do what you love for a living. Until then maybe find an article you like to read instead?

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      5. I have a kid, so try playing another card. And do you think you’re the first struggling writer to go unnoticed or unpaid? Let’s be honest, you were looking for an ego boost. If you are going to take the time to write, maybe write about something with depth or integrity, not something that screams “I want attention, waaaa”, write for a purpose or don’t write. Maybe no one wants to pay you to complain about trivial things.

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  14. All you’ve written definitely resonates with me. My take is that bloggers are gaining audiences through their writing (sometimes), but not actually making their money through blogging but rather by using their blogs to connect them to other money-making opportunities.

    That said, the longer I’m in marketing (I, too, am committed to authenticity and faith), the more it becomes clear to me that to gain that kind of attention and response you have to create, price, deliver, and communicate an utterly distinctive product (i.e., voice) that consistently stands out from the crowd—to a specific audience that wants your particular product. In other words, effective marketing is a process of discovery. Finding your audience is just as important as finding your voice or distinctive message.

    Frankly, my inner sense of ethics prevents me from doing much of the kind of standing out that gets attention these days, but I do believe it’s possible to find a distinctive voice and purpose for writing and to create value that people are willing to trade time and money for. In other words, don’t give up trying! -onewhitebrick.wordpress.com

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    1. I agree with you that the number of people who actually make money through blogging is really small, but I find that most other writing jobs also still want you to have great stats before they will consider hiring you. For example – I applied to a job as a writer/coordinator for web and blog content for a non-profit. In the end they told me that they loved my writing but needed to go with someone who had proven they could build a big following. So even though I’ve never thought I could just make enough money blogging to get by, I’ve found that even trying to use blogging as a platform for other kinds of jobs/opportunities requires you to market yourself.

      Thanks for your thoughts and your encouragement. I will keep working on finding my niche!

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  16. Just decided to try the blogging world in a late night inspiration. I stumbled on this and I have to say it resonates with me. As an artist myself I understand the frustration in the networking side of everything. (My goal is to write and illustrate my own children’s books) But as someone who deeply values altruistic intentions and honesty, I can relate to how you feel with self promoting. The optimist in me is crying for you to follow your passion wholeheartedly for yourself and what you care about. Don’t give up what makes you happy!

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement! I think writing and illustrating children’s books is a fantastic dream – I used to think I would love being an acquisitions editor for children’s books. They can be such a delight. Good luck with your project!

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  17. Love your honesty and I think above all things what counts is sharing apart of you with the world. What is more effective is that out of that 1.6 there are those that you set on fire. In that is your accomplishment as a trail blazer. If we all did what the rest done then there will be no uniqueness. It’s about taking self or ego out the equation and allowing your work to bless others. Your lack of work as in professional writing doesn’t reflect your skill. It reflect a market that moves with growing trends. Maybe this is a time where you redefine what is to be a writer and create something that is ‘unheard’ off let go off what you think it should be and create it to be A NEW THING.

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  19. Don’t be discouraged. I have been blogging since 2005 and few people follow my blog too. I have 14 books out, the best selling book as sold 1500 copies. Who cares? I have fun with it. I think in this game, luck has more to do with it than any advice given on the internet. Keep on strutting your stuff and have fun with it….

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    1. Wow. 14 books. That’s amazing. I can’t quite imagine finishing one! I think you’re right that as frustrating as it is, there is some degree of luck involved and that’s just not something we have control over. Thanks for the positive thoughts and good luck with your writing!

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    1. Right, that is the frustrating thing. One good thing about blogging though is that it has the potential to connect you to other blogger who have better connections than you do – if you can swallow the jealousy bug long enough to make those connections. Thanks for reading and for your support!

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  22. I have just began my own Blog yesterday and reading this article I feel rather scared about what could happen with mine. Because the main goal of my writings are purely «personal proudness» lets say, but i dont forget the recognition of the audience and the job opportunities that could give me back the society by doing this. I m gonna keep writing with the hopeless of dont be ignored by the reality, even if my virutal recognition increases.
    Excellent article!

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  23. lilyellen, you’re certainly not alone in your frustration and disappointment. Know that first of all, the resources available for online and offline publication has opened the doors to millions of ‘authors’ who aspire to be published. Getting published, whether through the traditional publishing house approach or indie publishing, that’s only the starting point. Promotion of your published works is a full-time effort all of its own.

    It can take years to achieve a large following on any blog site, website and the various social networks. It takes a consistent and persistent daily effort to maintain and increase our presence in the publishing world. It takes networking in writers and authors groups, advertising, public book signings, press releases and more.

    When I started writing fourteen years ago I decided that I would foster exposure through all available sources and to pursue positive, constructive, professional connections with successful individuals. Research best practices through writer resource sites and execute what the experts say works…including extensive use of the socials. It is a collective exposure through all of these means (socials are still critical) and skilled use of keywording for SEO best practices through all of these mediums that critically increases your visibility on search engines.

    Define your niche, hone your writing skills, convey your message in an articulate, audience centric language and find your target audience. An interactive relationship with followers and those you follow is also important.

    This is my first visit to your blog but from what I see you have a gift for writing, you do articulate well and it is apparent writing has become a passion rather than a passive interest. One of the most critical pieces of advice I have ever received came from well-read, successful authors and writers, business professionals and marketers was this (as it pertains to writing)…write first and foremost for the love of writing.

    From another perspective, you have achieved what very few people have in terms of that huge exposure you got on the article of mention. What anyone would do to achieve the same! There’s a message in that success story, even if only that one occasion.

    As writers we have to draw from down deep every single day to stay inspired and motivated to keep writing. Look at the author success stories out there…they didn’t happen overnight. You don’t have to compromise your own principals to acquire success. You can remain professional even on the socials.

    Stay focused on your goals and eat, sleep and breathe your passion with all you’ve got. Have you used LinkedIn yet…a powerful professional networking site with a huge and rapidly growing user base. There’s a whole other atmosphere there…the majority of members are dead serious about what they are doing and strive to achieve…professionally, not selling themselves out.

    I am an author/poet and not long ago retired from a thirty year career to pursue my writing interests with a professional editing, proofreading and writing business. This past Monday I connected (on LinkedIn) for the first time with a Colorado author of a five-book historical series. I introduced myself and through a couple of comments the author phoned me the next day expressing interest in my services. There are decisions to be made and one other professional has been spoken to before me but right there I have a one in two chance of engagement by a new client. I made a personal connection and we’ll see where it goes.

    Believe in what you do and what you want and pursue it with all you’ve got lilyellen. People don’t come knocking on our doors without the process. Don’t ever fear rejection or make assumptions about outcomes or lack thereof. Set your sites, spread your wings…and fly!

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    1. Don, thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this advice. I really, really appreciate it. And I’m sorry it’s taken so long to respond to this comment. I received this huge influx of comments on this one post and while I read each one as they came in I’ve had to carve out random times over the past few weeks to go through and respond properly. All that to say that I’ve truly taken these words to heart and am considering how to use this advice and the attention from being Freshly Pressed to improve my blog and my platform as a writer. Thanks so much for your thoughts and encouragement and for the re-blog.

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  28. I found after studying the craft of writing for a few years to realize the dream of elementary school, I didn’t write because I was afraid. Now after passing age 50 I don’t care enough what people think of me that I can at last have a blog and a podcast. Initial excitement at people following my blog waned when I saw they were the “get rich quick” types I had encountered offline in the good old days of Amway. They flattered to get what they wanted from me. Oh well.
    I plan to build my relationships one at a time. Real relationships that last. It’s not the numbers, it’s that one person you touched today. They needed you. Unfortunately most you touch never tell you about it. Just know they are there. You must write. You know this. You have no choice.

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    1. Thanks,Jeffrey. That’s really encouraging. It’s true what you said about how often you touch people and never know it. This makes me want to do a better job of commenting and encouraging other writers when they write something that touches me. It’s easy to think people don’t need to hear any more comments, but most of time every writer could use more encouragement. Thanks for sharing! Glad you are finally doing what you love!

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  30. Wow, please don’t give up on your passion for writing. This piece is so convincing to us who read it. You really do have a gift for putting pen to paper. I think you may have swallow your pride and do some self promoting. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there by sending some of your writing to anyone and everyone who has anything to do with publishing. You truly do have a gift and it needs to be read. I am a 48 year old man who was diagnosed with Dementia 6 months ago and believe me, I have wanted to give up everything. My wife won’t let me. We are determined to fight this through for as long as we can. My kids are as well, who are 27, 24, and 21. They are my support system and I have days where if they were not there, then I would give up. Find your support system and ask them to not give up on you, that you need to be encouraged every day. Positive strokes are something that we all need to have, and they really do help. Keep writing, don’t stop believing, (haha, that is a song by Journey) and please keep fighting. You CAN do it!

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    1. Rusty, I am so touched by your belief in me and in your positivity in the middle of what must be such a scary and discouraging time for you. I’m so glad you have such a wonderful support system. Like you, I think I need to remember to lean on those people and let their strength carry me when I want to give up. You have to keep fighting too, Rusty. For all of those people who love you and are fighting with you. You have inspired me.

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  31. It took me over a year of blogging to understand that great bloggers are not necessarily great writers. They merely engage with their readers and blog consistently — almost everyday. It is exhausting and a lot of hard work. For this reason I will never be a big blogger. It takes me away from the time I feel should be spent on novel writing. I can’t seem to juggle both. After much frustration, I’m okay with that. That said, I love this post and completely understand the sentiment. Begin your book. The pages will add up! Good luck to you.

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    1. Thanks for your encouragement! I see what you mean about successful bloggers not necessarily being the best writers. I think engaging more would require a sacrifice on my part of my perfectionism – you just can’t produce content every day and have it all be thoughtful essays about deep things. But I think I’d like to find a balance that also doesn’t mean sacrificing quality entirely. Thanks for reading!

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  32. Pingback: Bloggetoget | John Olavs skriveloft

  33. Your honesty and frustration is endearing. The life of a writer, that is 99% of us, is a roller coaster ride. But the true passionate ones keep plugging away “because we have to.” Thanks for sharing. If you haven’t read Jeff Goins check out his blog. He is a practical and honest blogger who shares his experience and simple insights almost daily and has some great free webcasts. Write on!

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  37. If writing is what you most enjoy that it cannot possibly be a waste of time. Whether it gets acknowledged or not you are doing what you love and expressing who you are. It should matter to you. All we have is time in life. Time to grow, live, and learn. If it makes you happy, isn’t that lifes goal?

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    1. I would also say that the goal of life is make the world a better and more beautiful place – to speak truth, to bring justice and reconciliation to the world, to love well. So yes, I write because it brings me joy, but I want it to serve a larger purpose as well. But as you say, all we have is time, so it is a question of what I want to spend my time investing in. Hopefully I’m investing in the kind of writing that accomplishes those other goals too. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts!

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  41. Lily, just stumbled across this wholly via accident-by-random-link, and am glad for it and its powerful, deeply truthful sentiments. As someone who considers 1200 hits to be my own version of “going viral,” I am slightly gaga over that 1.6 million number, but also hear you loud & clear on the aftermath of those giddy few moments amounting to…oh…gosh, not so much. (And back to your desk you go.)

    Maybe this will all land you in that NirvanaLand of a book & agent & contract and a million sales with $2 million in the bank (may that it be so…), but meanwhile, I am reminded ever and again that the more powerful impetus, the truthier-truth of this thing that we do, is simply in the doing itself, the probing, the soul-baring, the questioning of all that lies before us and all that we are. The scratching of the itch that needs to ask: “What is THAT about, anyway? And how do I feel about it?” Writing to discover answers to those questions is where the deepest rewards continue to be, it seems to me. All the millions of views and dollars are just happy little add-ons.

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    1. I’m so with you on this, Andrew. Writing is how I make sense of the world. It’s how I deal with difficult questions and it’s how I give voice and meaning to things that are easy to keep hidden. It is also the way I feel most myself. And those are things that I could never give up without losing an important part of myself. I think the thing I struggle with most is feeling like I must be wired this way for a reason – maybe a bigger reason than my own satisfaction. And there is a strong internal conflict for me between being faithful in the ordinary moments of life and just letting things be vs trying to make things happen. I suppose it’s a conflict of ideologies – do you grab life by the horns or do you let go and see where life takes you? I’m rambling, but anyway, I do really appreciate your thoughts and encouragement. Thanks for reading!

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  42. I think the lure of wanting to go viral interests me. I think of it like The X-Factor, sure, you can make it big fast, but can it be maintained? Doesn’t the struggle to make it in the first place give a person experience to carry on after they made it? People who post things to get a reaction or attention annoy the hell out of me. I have a small blog and a small following, but I am working on two different writing projects with people I have met. That is enough for me. Also, the sense of satisfaction from completing a book is rewarding in its own right. Having said that, getting an agent and getting my book published would give me a bigger degree of satisfaction.

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    1. David, yes, EXACTLY. I hate the sensationalism of people who post things just to get a reaction. In fact, my one article that did get a big reaction had that kind of title and in the end I was almost embarrassed of it – not the content. I still agree with the content. I just wasn’t happy with how it was ultimately packaged. And like you, I also think there’s this real push to “write for you” and “write because it makes you happy,” but if most people were honest, they’d have to admit that having an agent and a book published or having a lot of readers would bring more satisfaction. I think you can write FOR yourself and still feel satisfaction from outside validation without selling out. Thanks for your thoughts and good luck with your projects!

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      1. Hi. Thank you for the response and the good luck. I am at an interesting point in trying to get an agent. I wrote something to be a positive in a fairly negative news reporting world we live in. I have yet to get an agent, more apparently because it wont sell in the current climate than because its not any good. I have noticed an almost insidious feeling of ‘maybe i should write something more popular’ and then i hate that feeling because i am not sure where it comes from and goes against the point of writing thr book in tbe first place. Oh and i didnt mean i thought you were trying to get a reaction. I dont think your piece gave that impression. Good luck to you too 🙂

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  43. Pingback: Of Writing for Yourself | Of Opinions

    1. Ann, I think that particular belief – that I have a gift to share – is one that’s so hard to explain without it coming across as conceited. But I genuinely believe each person has specific gifts and that they are meant to use whatever those gifts are to spread truth and grace and beauty in their corner of the world. Writing is the only thing I’ve ever felt really good at (though there are many moments when I think someone else could say it better) and because if that i feel an obligation for my writing to serve a greater purpose. Of course, my pride would also love to have accolades and lots of adoring fans, but there really is an element of it that feels like I’m supposed to use my words in the service of others and I have to find a way to do that in a world that says self-promotion is the only way to go. Thanks for your encouragement, and thanks for reading!

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  47. I can totally relate! Keep your chin up. Even the writers of old, the ones whose works we now consider classicclassics didn’t find success overnight, if they found it at all in their lifetime. My word of encouragement? Enjoy the journey, don’t worry about the destination. 🙂

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    1. Thank you, London. It is good to remember that just because you don’t see visible results of your work, that doesn’t mean nothing is happening – sometimes those results don’t show up for a long time. Thanks for reading!

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  49. What you just wrote is a beautiful truth, full of honest reality in the hearts of a majority of writers. Your words struck hard for me, as I’m sure they do for a lot of people. I think the truly talented writers are not the ones who try and make it big, but rather the ones who slowly peel back their layers little by little, keeping a bit of mystery about themselves and staying true to their beleifs, instead of what other people want them to be. It’s funny when you think about the great writers of our past. I really could not picture any of them promoting and succumbing to the pressures of social media. I think there’s a reason we as writers all feel this way sometimes. It keeps us humble and grounded. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Exactly! Most of the great writers of the past were very shy and introverted and probably would have failed miserably in today’s culture of self-marketing. Thanks for the reminder about these moments keeping us humble and grounded. I think you’re right. Thanks so much for reading and for your encouragement.

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