by A. E. Johnson

Stop yourself right there, my friend, and take a breath. Being an indie author was never easy, and it never will be. It takes dedication, beyond defeating distractions and time. Doubt and discouragement can certainly take their place. You have to know what you want in this profession, and work for it.  

It is hard work but that doesn’t mean you can’t find happiness and joy within it. Happiness swells to its highest peak the moment you reach what you consider an achievement. Bliss exists the moment you jump on the motivation wagon, and it takes your word count far. Joy and relief step in the moment you finally finish your last draft. Lastly, overwhelming squeals of satisfaction come after you’ve published and received your first five-star review!

Every decision you make is based upon your knowledge about the industry and it can be a heavy burden to carry if you look at it through the lens of what you’re gaining during the process.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all roses and sunshine. Many negative emotions take their turn. In my case, stress and worry cycle the most, especially if you have other people to take care of. There have been times I’ve written an entire novel and read through it just to figure out in the end I want to start it all over again. There are times when the overflow of inspiration flees, and you can’t find it no matter how many times you seek it out, just because of stress. Sometimes you’ll want to tear your hair out because you don’t feel like your story is good enough since you felt like you had to rush to write it. You might feel frustrated at your lack of sales as you struggle to figure out the marketing portion of being a writer. It can be scary and mentally draining, and it can make a person give up. You’re going solo. You don’t have a literary agent telling you where to turn. Every decision you make is based upon your knowledge about the industry and it can be a heavy burden to carry if you look at it through the lens of what you’re gaining during the process.

Nevertheless! Don’t give up. I have seen many people become discouraged because their novel isn’t selling. They turn to marketers and people who take advantage of them. That is where you have to analyze and ask yourself, am I doing this because I love to write or am I doing this to achieve gain? However your situation may be, don’t ever give up, because if you put your all into developing the storyline, writing the novel, picking out a title and cover, and finally marketing your baby, the only thing that can come out of it is a beautiful end.

Every person’s journey is beautifully different. The most important thing to do as an indie author, in my opinion, is to always believe in your work, even when others don’t, and don’t ever rush your work. Being an indie author is like a seed — it takes time and patience to grow. Believe in your story and believe in yourself!

About A.E. Johnson: I am married and have two beautiful children. When I was younger on the school bus, I’d always play scenes out in my head as I drove by houses and cars. I didn’t know how to bring my imagination to life until I believed in myself and learned how to write a novel. I began when I was twenty-three years old and have written many books. Some I’ve written for myself and others I am publishing. I also have taken my creativity a step further into illustration and cover design. The reason I love to write is because I love to create worlds and see people take enjoyment in them.

Find her on TikTok @aejohnsonauthor. Find her on Facebook here.

If you’re an indie author and you’re interested in guest posting on this blog, email here.