How Does A Writer Measure Success?

By Richard Jay Parker

Jeffrey Deaver said 'I'm an overnight success after twenty years.'

As a writer, it's very difficult to gauge the extent of your success. If you've written a book which you want to have published and you haven't had it published, do you consider yourself a failure?

To have written anything - whether it be a short story or a novel - is a great achievement. But we're always eager for the next stage.

Every writer I know, whatever stage they are in their career, wants that next thing. To be published, to write a screenplay, to have a better deal etc etc.

Even best selling authors who have a worldwide readership are looking for something else - I want to write something worthy, I don't want to be as commercial, I don't want to be pigeonholed etc etc

This isn't a writer thing, it's a human thing. It's our nature but sometimes it's good to focus on how far we've come rather than how much further we'd like to go. Look back one year. Whatever stage you're at - has your writing improved? Moreover, are you enjoying it?

If the answer is 'yes' then I think you can afford to stop beating yourself up - at least for a couple of minutes.

As the experienced can testify - it's a long, frustrating road. No need to kick yourself all the way along it.

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