Robyn, I’d say you had a successful year writing for all sorts of reasons, but I especially look forward to your Substack posts . . . I never know what you’ll discuss, but 9 times out of 10 I find one thing (or more in many cases) that delights, makes me smile or laugh, or stops me in my tracks to consider a different perspective. And you know how much I loved the Hemingway story! Keep it up in 2024 and beyond!
Thanks so much, David! That's all lovely to hear. As you know, sometimes writing online feels like shouting into the dark. Good to hear that someone's out there listening.
Robyn, I am glad that doing the review gave you a more positive view of the year in writing and publishing. Writing and especially self-publishing, is a long game. 260 sales the first year, for a stand alone, is fantastic. And the more you put out there, the more people discover your unique voice, the more you will build fans (and also have more opportunities to figure out how to use marketing to get your stuff discovered. So, I hope you have a wonderful 2024 of writing, with more of those wonderful moments when someone says what you put out there was awesome!
Oh my gosh, this is so true—“exceptionally stubborn sociopaths.” Also a good name for a band. Here’s to another year of making ourselves a little miserable and still not giving up!
I smiled the entire way through this post. I always appreciate your candor and love your voice. I also am grateful for the lesson you shared--that the year went better than you realized--went well, in fact-- when you stepped away from your memory of the struggles and took honest stock of it.
Robyn, I’d say you had a successful year writing for all sorts of reasons, but I especially look forward to your Substack posts . . . I never know what you’ll discuss, but 9 times out of 10 I find one thing (or more in many cases) that delights, makes me smile or laugh, or stops me in my tracks to consider a different perspective. And you know how much I loved the Hemingway story! Keep it up in 2024 and beyond!
Thanks so much, David! That's all lovely to hear. As you know, sometimes writing online feels like shouting into the dark. Good to hear that someone's out there listening.
Robyn, I am glad that doing the review gave you a more positive view of the year in writing and publishing. Writing and especially self-publishing, is a long game. 260 sales the first year, for a stand alone, is fantastic. And the more you put out there, the more people discover your unique voice, the more you will build fans (and also have more opportunities to figure out how to use marketing to get your stuff discovered. So, I hope you have a wonderful 2024 of writing, with more of those wonderful moments when someone says what you put out there was awesome!
Thanks so much, Louisa! Sometimes it's good to look back in a systematic kind of way to get some perspective.
I just read this post, thought you might enjoy the comparison to a sport, and I hope you might find it inspiring. https://deanwesleysmith.com/bringing-forward-failure-must-be-an-option/
Nice and good distinction between the things you can do that are in your control and those that just aren't. Thanks for sharing.
A great recap, Robyn, and congrats on an awesome year of writing.
I joke that every successful writer is an exceptionally stubborn sociopath. I have what it takes. Sounds like you do too. 😇
Onward!
Oh my gosh, this is so true—“exceptionally stubborn sociopaths.” Also a good name for a band. Here’s to another year of making ourselves a little miserable and still not giving up!
I smiled the entire way through this post. I always appreciate your candor and love your voice. I also am grateful for the lesson you shared--that the year went better than you realized--went well, in fact-- when you stepped away from your memory of the struggles and took honest stock of it.