Feeling Trapped (in a Writer's World)

I've been disciplining myself to keep writing a newsletter and blog every month. I want to stay consistent, but it's hard not to feel discouraged when most months have 0 views. We all have that creeping, negative voice in our heads that asks why we bother putting out content if it's not getting seen.

My answer to that is that I do it for me. Sure, I want readers to find my books. I want them to purchase them and love them. Every month, little by little, I'm seeing my book get more love and exposure. TikTok has definitely been a game changer for me, but I do this because I love it. I get imposter syndrome like the rest of the authors out there, but I work hard to ignore it.

We are our biggest critics. There will always be something we could do better, to write better. We'll always wish we could go back and do something over again. However, I believe in the advice that floats around the author world that when you publish something, that was the best you were capable of putting out at that time and you should be proud of it. You can always get better.

This post might never be read by anyone but me, and that's okay. It's not the only one potentially sitting at 0 views, and it won't be the last. However, that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist to someone to stumble upon one day.

Maybe you're having a tough time with a dream or goal. Perhaps you're wondering if you should throw in the towel and move on. I would encourage you to keep pressing on. Nothing happens overnight. Perhaps my book won't be on a best seller's list, but the reviews I have received so far have shown me that it was worth pursuing. I reached at least one person, and that was all that mattered.

I am finishing up my second novel now, and then I'll pause that series to start another. I'm eager for both to come to life. I wish I could work on them all the time, but my family comes first (and my new job). My writing time is limited these days, but I'm thankful for what few words I can get down each day.

If you are reading this, I wish you nothing but success in your endeavors. Even if you feel trapped now, there is a reason you haven't given up on whatever you're working towards. That's what kept me going during the hard stages of writing my first book. Stay with it. I'm glad I did.

You've got this. I believe in you.