• Home
  • Blog
  • What Constitutes Success for a Writer?

What Constitutes Success for a Writer?

February 5, 2024 / Motivation and the Writing Life, Uncategorized / 22 COMMENTS


by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig

The subject of success . . . mostly how to get it . . . is a popular one for writers. When I pulled the word up in the WKB, it had close to 24,000 entries. I remember there was a book that came out a few years ago that delved into the idea that there were similarities, or coding, that distinguished bestselling books.

Having a bestseller is definitely one marker of success. Making a living off of writing is another.

But there are many other markers of success.

Yours may not include publication at all. It might be to start or maintain a writing habit.

It might be to finish a book you started years ago.

It might be to have something to share with family and close friends.

It might be a writing project you keep to yourself, something that is meaningful for your eyes only.

It might be just to experiment and see what it’s possible for you to create.

It might be to heal from a painful time in your life.

The goals for writing are different for every person. And, no matter what your goal is, if you meet it, you’re a success.

How do you view success as a writer?

What Constitutes Success for a Writer? Share on X

Image by Daniel Reche from Pixabay

  1. You're so right, Elizabeth! Success looks very different to all of us. I think that's why it's so important not to compare ourselves to one another. It's far better to figure out what our goals are and plan to reach them. Whatever those goals are.

  2. Love this question!
    Success has been a moving target for me. At first it was to be brave enough to carve out time and actually put words on screen. Then it was to learn how to revise and edit. Than to be brave enough to actually publish…
    For me, writing is a success if I'm having fun and doing the next thing

  3. Thank you for covering this. I do feel like a dud. Having children's stories published in a magazine in the 80's doesn't make me feel accomplished for sure. But I am successful in that I established a daily writing habit years ago. I have hundreds of thousands of words written into stories and first drafts of a few books. I recently finished a Christmas short story because I want my mom to read it while she is still here. I need to self publish it.

    You are an awesome cheerleader for writers. Always remember that encouragement is one of your spiritual gifts and so needed.

    1. You’re an anti-dud! You’ve developed an amazing habit and work hard on your writing. Congratulations on the short story–I know your mom will love it!

      And thanks so much for the kind words. They are appreciated!

  4. For me, there are all levels of success. The little daily ones of completing a chapter and the big ones, like making a bestseller list. Some I've made, somoe not. But Ialways have goals.

  5. Great post — and something I needed to read. I’ve been a little down about being “successful” as a writer and wondering if I should keep at it. Glad I stopped by!

Comments are closed.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}