5 Lies Every Author Needs to Refuse to Accept as True
Sometimes as an author, the worst enemy to your success can be the lies that you’ve unknowingly accepted. Usually these lies are lies for reason — they are not true. Yet you accept them as being so, and this causes all kinds of problems. Below are 5 lies you need to refuse to accept as true.
1. There’s not enough room for my book
Please don’t allow this falsehood to stop you from getting your book out there. Depending on the genre you’re writing in, there could be tens of thousands of books already up for sale. However, the fact that you’re writing your book with your voice already makes it different to other ones available.
Further distinction and uniqueness of your work can be exemplified when you market it. For now, keep writing your book and refuse to accept the lie that there’s not enough room for it.
2. If my book bombs then it’s a disaster
No way does your first book not getting the sales level you wanted mean that you’ve failed. There will be so many lessons from your experience in writing and publishing a book, and when you consciously pick these out, you can learn from them and start again. There is never any failure in your work, only feedback on what worked and what didn’t. The trick is to use these learnings wisely, build upon what worked and getting rid of what didn’t without getting hung up on it.
3. I’m just not cut out for writing
If you genuinely find writing boring, then sure thing, select another activity that floats your boat. However, if you actually enjoy writing, then telling yourself you’re not cut out for it usually has some underlying factor, such as mistaking a stumbling block for a total breakdown in your ability to write. Refuse to believe it. You can always improve and get better. Get a good night’s sleep and come back to your writing the following day. Things will seem different.
4. There are only set ways to progress
If you’ve studied writing, then you’ve probably learnt rules and structures to follow. If you’re inspired by a particular author who you are modelling yourself upon, then you are likely following the steps and processes carried out by this person. Others can certainly give guidance and by following the same procedure as them, you will certainly be moving the right way.
However, as a mature adult don’t forget to use your own way as a map to guide you along the way. If a tried and tested technique is not working for you, double check that you’re using it correctly and attempt again. If after this, you are still not getting the results you want, don’t hesitate even for a moment to drop the approach, and trying another way.
5. If a publisher gives me a chance, then I will succeed
With this point you’re basing all your success on an outside factor; namely a publisher to give you a deal. If you get one, great. But what if you don’t? Do something else. Take responsibility for your progress and do all you can, using your own merits. Self-publish your book if you have to, and get it out for the world to see that way.
Editor’s Note: This article was first published on e-Books India in January 2015.
Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of eBooks India. He is also a prolific eBook writer with over 25 titles to his name.
Originally published at eBooks India.
