Riding the Rollercoaster

Writing is a lot like riding a rollercoaster...there are highs and lows and, often, you seem to have no control.

In the beginning things move slowly, as you're climbing that first big hill. You're trying to come up with ideas, then you're searching for words. Things start to pick up a bit with you're first draft. You're heading downhill...whee.

Then comes the editing and proofreading and up hill you go again. That process can be mind numbing, and you feel you will never get to the top. But you do. You design your cover (or approve it), write your blurbs for the jacket, create an author bio. And it's ready to submit...whee. Down you go again, picking up speed, feeling the breeze of success.

Now...the waiting. For print approval, for book sales, for reader reviews. It's a slow slog uphill. And all you can do is sit back and wait. You are not at these controls. You will experience moments when things pick up speed again...public appearances, book signings, good reviews, some sales. Then another stall. Sales drop off. The public readings and signings are slow. You try to figure new ways to call attention to what you are doing. Why didn't you take courses in marketing? And on and on you go. This is a rollercoaster ride that seems to have no end.

But those moments when things go right, when people are buying your book, when the reviews are good, when opportunities for public readings and book signings just seem to keep coming, then the ride is exhilarating. The problem is that this rollercoaster never stops. The highs and the lows keep on happening. You can't get off the ride. Whee.