Comments on: How Do YOU Define Success?

By: The Next Step on the Path - Who Is Your Reader? | Children's Writing Web Journal

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:33:14 +0000

[...] Welcome! If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. We’ll be updating the blog on a daily basis, with plenty of exclusive tips, articles and goodies for aspiring children’s book writers. So why not subscribe now and have easy access any time you’d like! Let’s continue our series which will take us, step-by-step, from absolute beginner to published author. The topic of the previous issue: How Do You Define Success? If you missed it, you can read it here. [...]

By: Eleisa Trampler

Eleisa Trampler — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:18:39 +0000

Getting up there in age has it’s advantages, so many experiences and memories to choose from. Little things that once seemed tragic now seem hilarious with the perspective of age. The telling becomes important and the captivated listener who remarks, “You should write a book!” is reward enough. I’ve made less than $2000 with my various writing projects, but I’ve turned acquaintances into friends with my storytelling.

By: minerva66

minerva66 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:06:01 +0000

Wonderful post and comments. I was referred to it at http://www.bookvote.net. Anyone wishing to promote it can register there and vote for it.

I’m not a book writer myself-only blogger and book reviewer. But in your list of affirmations, the coolest ones don’t have price tags. I guess I should say that I’m now spending time blogging regularly. I find it fulfilling and don’t expect to ever make money at it. Not even getting much feedback. How much more awesome it must be to have a book published and know that people are reading it.

By: Travis Griffith

Travis Griffith — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:48:02 +0000

I’m a published children’s book author. I’m nowhere near being a millionaire, but a man stopped me the other day and said, “So, are you wealthy?”

I can only assume what that man’s intent was with his question, but I didn’t even think about money. I looked at my children’s bright faces and remembered the applause from a roomful of kindergartners after reading them my book, and answered very simply…

“Yes.”

By: Jenny L. Cote

Jenny L. Cote — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 18:24:03 +0000

The most important things in the world aren’t things goes the cliche, but as I read your list, it once again rung true! I would rather have a kid talk about how much he or she loves a character in my book than anything that could be deposited in my bank account. My investment is in kids, and the return is priceless! Thanks for the great article and congrats on the black belt! Jenny

By: Yolanda Cullagh

Yolanda Cullagh — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:26:23 +0000

I am so humbled by the idea that anyone would think I was any different or better just because I am a writer; yet, I have had people treat me that way - moms that work as hard as I do, librarians that have my dream job and relatives that have sent my books to school with their children in the hopes of bringing me success! Yes, I guess the thought of being “one of the greats”, which includes fame and fortune, has crossed all of our minds at some point; however, some of the greatest things that I’ve been given the opportunity to do, things I wondered how anyone got the job, were judging an Art Reflections contest for Grades K-3. Wow - let’s not just talk about how they draw, but what their messages are! I was also asked to be a guest speaker at a Teacher Appreciation luncheon, which not only allowed me to work on conquering one of my greatest fears - public speaking, but gave me the chance to tell all these teachers “thank you”; a chance to say something I was too shy and immature to say when I was in school! The list goes on, and I believe we all have a list - wonderful small things that add up to greatness. I wish you all whatever list you need to recognize your greatness!

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:21:36 +0000

I too, congratulate you on your black belt! Thanks for you quiz, it really puts things in perspective. I began my career as an illustrator and became an tabletop, giftware, stationery, and home furnishings designer. I have been “published”, as an illustrator and licensed my designs for nearly 30 years. These days as companies are crashing all around us, the market place has changed through technology and outsourcing of designs to third world countries…it becomes more and more difficult to get work. Certainly I worry about when or if my next royalty check will come in and I spend more and more time on the computer trying to get paid or get new work. But for me success is the joy in doing. I love to paint, to draw, to be challenged to figure out new flatware or crystal patterns…I am and always will be an artist, and that for me is success.

By: mj

mj — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:21:38 +0000

the words success and failure tend to have different meanings to different people. i personally do not believe in the word failure. as long as i try i consider that a success.. if something does not go the way i dreamed or thought it would than so what? Life has many twists and turns. I have had my own business for 16 years, retail at that! i am constantly changing my strategy , business is a moving target and you are constantly trying to hit a bullseye. i have been an artist my whole life and am in the process of putting together my first portfolio. i am atttending many networking meetings and learning as much as i can. i have been amazed at the unending comments of “not making any money” and “is this really worth it” from other members. some people seem to be caught up in everything being perfect. I think we all just need to “do it”. I can spend hours if wanted trying to get a drawing perfect or feel something is not just right for my portfolio, but if that is how i spend my day , i have nothing to show. at some point we need to do what we love , put it out there, take the suggestions from submissions and revise if necessary. if i can get a chuckle out of a critique group from my illustrations or catch a child’s attention with a book i put together then i consider that a success. a positive attitude goes along way and with hard work you can achieve “success”. live long and laugh often

By: Paulette

Paulette — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:53:09 +0000

I too congratulate you on your accomplishment and being black belted.
I think the most important thing, for me, in writing and illustrating is my granddaughter sitting on her father’s lap listening to one of my stories as he reads it to her. Never mind the cinnamon bread that I am bribing her with, which seems to be her “most favorite” thing.
Little people who read our books are so honest. Anyone can tell if the story (or stories) you have written is “really” good or just a bunch of words. And even that, if they were written with great satisfaction by the writer there is a time, even though short-lived, when any of us may say, “WOW! I really like that!” If I may suggest, perhaps publishers should allow a group of children to look at manuscripts submitted to them.
If we are in it for the money, we may as well go to Wall Street which is not too safe at this particular time. As far as I am concerned, I would like very much to be published but if I am not, I will still have grandchildren and friends who think my books are wonderful.

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:57:23 +0000

Congratulations on your black belt. Success in anything is about mastery, and this is even more true in writing. When aspiring writers ’suffer’ because their desires are not fullfilled it seems to me it’s because they’re ‘wannabes’ who are not prepared to work and rework and master their art. Sure, that doesn’t mean they’re gonna get snapped up when they’ve worked hard enough, as there are many factors in the ‘fame game’ that writing, like all the arts, has become. You mentioned JK, but I wouldn’t hold her up as someone who has mastered her art. Rather, she’s someone who’s mastered writing Harry Potter stories! Let’s see what she comes up with next, if it’s good, then I’ll take off my hat and bow reverently in her direction.
So how hard do we have to work before we start flailling ourselves when the latest draft gets returned? Here I have to return to my original point, people suffering, and not for their art, but because of it! Yes, it’s hard to write, but by flexing that muscle again and again we’re in the school, learning. That’s surely a joyful thing and therein lies the secret of success - to enjoy what we do, whether anyone, everyone or no one applauds us. Writing is a self generated thing that can barely be taught, let alone measured by external plaudits. Does JK’s ’success’ make her a great writer? I don’t think so and that’s, perhaps, a question for another time as I’m meant to be working right now! I wish you all great joy from your many attempts at mastery.