Success.
It is a word that has a “sweet smell” for some and is the “gold ring” of achievement for others.
But in order to appreciate success, we must first define it. And there is the rub. Each one of us defines success differently, especially writers.
Here are some definitions I’ve heard or seen:
- Getting an agent
- My first book contract
- Selling 20,000 copies of my book
- Selling any copies of my book
- Producing my own book as an indie author
- Getting my second book contract
- Making the bestseller list (which bestseller list?)
- Earning enough money over expenses with writing that I owe income tax!
That list illustrates a bit of the diversity of the definition. I’ve had an author say their book was quite successful when describing one of their previous works. When I asked for specifics, they enthusiastically said, “I sold 800 copies!” I’ve had an author also say, “My book didn’t do very well; it only sold 20,000 copies.”
I remember one man calling me asking about our agency’s services. “Do you like making lots of money?” I stammered a nonanswer and replied, “Why do you ask?” “Because I won’t accept anything less than a $100,000 advance for my book, so if you can’t get that amount, I don’t want you representing it.” Needless to say, I admitted my defeat, and we ended the call. His definition of success was unrealistic. (His book was also completely unsellable in the commercial market.)
I have been told that success, as I’m describing above, is actually a series of achievements or goals. Granted. That is one way to view it. But I have to ask, “What happens if you don’t achieve your goals?” or conversely, “What happens if you do achieve your goals?”
Defining Success
Take a moment and think about success and what it means to you. At the same time, remember that your definition is not necessarily pertinent to the next person. This can be a problem when dispensing advice to others because they can use your definition as their own when it doesn’t fit their situation.
1. Make sure you have your values set first. Otherwise, wild success could destroy you (Proverbs 16:18).
2. Also define “contentment.” Or another way to put it is to define “good enough” (1 Timothy 6:6).
3. “More” is not a goal. This is a red flag for any measurable activity. Think of businesses that care more about profit than people. Or churches that lose their way in an attempt to “grow numbers.”
4. Be very careful about using money or unit sales as your measure. (See #3 above.) I’ve seen many writers’ entire attitudes toward this business change when money began to flow their way. And I’ve seen many writers lose all contentment when their unit book sales deviate from the norm. But I have also seen many writers who have handled success with grace and humility. Success does not have to destroy people!
Lately, I’ve been putting it this way:
Today, and I mean right now, define success for yourself as a writer. But remove publication from the definition. Now, define success. If publication is in the definition and it is achieved, you might take the credit. But if publication is a gift, not a goal, then it is God’s doing, not yours.
I believe that writing is obedience. Obedience to a calling. Thus, one writes because they “must.”
Sure, many writers write for a living, so the “must” is related to being paid. I don’t dispute that. I’m trying to make a different point.
Too many writers set unrealistic expectations for their work and suffer from feelings of failure. Often, they quit. And when that happens, the enemy wins.
I want you to be successful. All of us at the agency work hard to help you achieve that goal. Today, let’s take a moment to make sure your definition of that success is in line with your calling as a writer and to a set of reasonable expectations. It is there, in that place, where true success lies.
Fun Friday – July 12, 2024
How do I define success?
Let me count the ways…
even though my life’s a mess,
I still live all my days
with a full (though aching) heart,
and in participation
of all of which I am still part,
with meet deliberation,
for these deserve my very best
(I can’t just mail it in),
and if I pass this daily test
I find by moonrise I did win
the right, through blood and tears and pain
to, on the morrow, start again.
Thank you! Yes, I write because I must!
For me, initial success was my first rejection letter (thank you, Steve!) because it meant I’d actually written a book, sent out a proposal, and an agent had taken a look at it. I was absolutely giddy over that letter! I’d done it!
I raised the bar a little after that, but baby steps lol.
From a letter from a reader:
“Dear doctor Garte, I’ve just finished your book and I’d like to thank you for writing it… Thanks to you I realized that it wasn’t insufficient evidence that kept me from deepening my belief, it was fear of being judged by others. And thanks to you I realized that I know enough to be a believer. And I no longer want to be ashamed of it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
That is my definition of success. And I thank God and this agency every day for it.
I appreciate your wise counsel in defining success. I agree that success is tied to obedience. This year, the Lord has used time to teach me that success isn’t getting an acceptance from a publishing house (although, that would be amazing). Rather, it is obediently using my gifts to create work and to trust Him with the outcome.
Many years ago, in a very hard season of my life, I tuned in my car radio and heard this phrase (I don’t know who said it or in what context): “God doesn’t call us to succeed, He calls us to obey.” It was balm for my soul then, guardrails for my expectations now. Thank you, Steve, for reminding me today.
Thank you. This is so helpful. I’ve been struggling in this area for a long time. While my heart knows all you said, I still yearn for ‘making a living’ rather than ‘pizza money’.
Such a great article! If I were to run with the idea that success is a series of achievements or goals, the question becomes whose achievements or goals? We who follow Jesus traded our goals for the goals of the kingdom and our King. We are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, though it is not we but Christ who lives in us. So then success can be determined by whether we have yielded to our Father and allowed God to achieve what he wants to in us. In essence, we who have entered his rest and ceased from our own works are a walking, talking, ever-present success simply because Jesus finished it and we received it.
Great question! Here’s my take on success as a writer:
1) Christ – I invite him into the writing process and honor Him with the fruits
2) Community – I’m connected with and support other writer friends
3) Craft – I’m diligent to invest time to do the writing and to improve it
4) Criticism – I’m humble in the face of well-meaning critique…and rejoice when harsher words come because of my faithfulness to the Gospel
5) Change – There is positive change in my readers (which I may never hear about)…and positive change in myself as I’m faithful to write
Success for me is/has been:
Writing, finishing, and editing this book I’ve had in the back of my head for 12 years.
Offering a fresh look at a time and events of Jesus’ life which perhaps many have not considered at all.
Thinking about who Jesus is more deeply because of it, and learn from the content and the process.
Helping others meditate on the ideas in the book, and grow closer to him because of it
Encouraging the church, my friends, family, and students through it.
Great, post, Steve! I love this: “I believe that writing is obedience. Obedience to a calling. Thus, one writes because they “must.”
Truth!
I agree — writing is a calling. I write because I must, and God has made that very clear. So, to me, success is doing my best to fulfill His call on my life. Receiving emails from readers who say my words have given them hope or aligned their thinking with God’s truth is a sweet bonus.
I only want to change the world.
I must agree with Elizabeth and Grace. Writing is a calling; therefore, obedience is a must.
When I learn something I wrote has touched one reader’s life I consider it a success.
I’m not in charge of the outcome of my efforts—I’ve made peace with that. I also know that “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
But are the rewards earthly, Heavenly, or both? And does it matter? God has promised to supply all of my daily needs. I would love to help further God’s Kingdom with my story. And I believe He wants that, too. But whether or not my book is ever published, or my screenplay ever produced, my task is to do what God has told me to do. That’s my definition of success.
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” (Phillipians 2:13)
And it’s “Philippians.” : )
I didn’t know it would be this way when I started writing, but I have discovered that writing for me is a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord. To paraphrase (misquote) the movie Chariots of Fire, I feel the pleasure of the Lord when I write. That alone would be a satisfying success. But I also know that He has given me resources that I am to steward. Am I stewarding my words well by growing in my craft? Success. Am I making wise decision with my investing so that the return serves His kingdom (as opposed to just throwing money at random ad campaigns just to see what happens). Success. Would I love to write a bestseller and win prestigious awards as a measure of my success? Well . . . I’m human so there’s that. But it would be only a thin shadow of the real measure of success I’ve already discovered. Thanks for the excellent blog post.
This is sooooo good and inspiring! Writing is obedience and a must!!! Otherwise you are not fulfilling your God given purpose! Thank you!
First, I’m an optimist, and I don’t want that to ever change. I consider myself to be quite successful without ever being published…yet. I’ve finished two books, a historical novel and a YA Historical novel and haven’t gotten them published…yet. But I did write them, and doing so took a lot of work and gave me a ton of joy. Plus, the people who have read them seemed to greatly enjoy them, which has brought me even more joy. If I never get anything published, writing stories will still always be one of the greatest achievements of my life.
‘May our success as writers be in line with our calling.’Amen.
Thanks and God bless you.
Sophia