I’ve been at this writing game for most of my life. I started writing short stories, horror stories, in high school and the writing bug has never let me go. There have been periods of my life where I have been more prolific than others, but all in all I continue to write.
I’ve had some little successes.
My novel This Broken Earth, a post apocalyptic story told in first person omniscient is still doing well and has sold over 2000 copies (digital and print editions combined). I co-host a fun podcast with author Ryan McKinley, Fanboys on Fiction which has recently seen some success. I broke 1500 Twitter followers three weeks ago. This blog sees around 200 viewers per day.
However, I tune in to KDP and see that I’ve only sold one book in a month and then I start to get discouraged. I look at this massive sequel I’m churning out to a book that didn’t sell very many copies and sigh a little.
So why do I keep writing it, you ask?
The strange reason that I keep writing The Terminarch War is because if I don’t, I’ll go crazy. I am constantly thinking about how to make it better, tweaking the storyline, tweaking the characters, putting Guillermo into tons more peril but then I pull back and realize that I have to probably start all over with the book.
You know. Stuff like that happens.
I think that I feel like Jack White in his post-interview after doing a concert for Austin City Limits. You can watch the entire interview below, but the most interesting thing he says in regard to this blog post begins at 5:36.
He says that he “can’t control” the writing that comes out of him. He has to have this outlet somehow. I think that’s the strange reason that I keep going at it even though I’m not famous, don’t make a living off of my novels, and write every day even though my day job is stressful and demanding.
So keep at it, fellow writers! Because if you are a writer you HAVE TO WRITE! You have to get those characters and settings and nuances on the page. Otherwise you’ll go crazy.
Don’t go crazy. Get to writing.
Writing Is Hard Work 
I agree Roger, I just finish writing, editing, professional editing, then reediting my first novel. It may never be a best seller, but I’ve already written the rough draft to volume 2 and the outline to volume 3. The more you write, the more you want to write, it just comes out as a life of it’s own.
Thanks James!
congrats on 200+ views per day! that’s incredible! how do you do it? I don’t get nearly that many.
I’ve been writing this blog since 2009. I’ve written some hit posts that found heavy traffic. “Tolkiens 10 Tips for Writers” is mine. Just find a niche and be honest, and social media the snot out of it.