Life as a published author, although immensely satisfying, can be fraught with day-to-day stressors that writers may not anticipate in their pre-published days. These stressors are the things I think of when new writers ask me what I wish I’d known 20 years ago.
Let’s explore a handful of things that can influence success and emotional stability in an extremely competitive business.
The loneliness of sustained success
Some writers find that as their success grows they become separated from the community they started with. After working closely with talented editors, it’s not unusual to outgrow early writing groups or critique partners. Sometimes these partners worry they can no longer offer meaningful feedback, and they slowly pull away. In most cases, this isn’t personal. There’s no drama. It’s simply a natural progression. The result? A sense of isolation that can leave even the most successful author feeling unmoored.
One way to combat this is to join communities of authors in similar career stages. Attending private writing retreats or master classes allows for new connections while staying bonded with early collaborators for nonjudgmental brainstorming sessions.
While finding new creative peers can help ease the isolation, it’s only one part of navigating change. Even with a plan to combat loneliness, it’s important to acknowledge that transitions are rarely easy. William Bridges, an expert on change, identified three phases that can help us understand what’s happening internally when our outer world shifts.
Those phases are:
- Ending/Losing/Letting Go – This phase can bring resistance or fear, and an important step in the healing process is acknowledging what you’ve lost.
- The Neutral Zone – The phase where you’re not where you were but haven’t reached where you’re going. It can be uncomfortable but also filled with amazing possibility. Finding small rituals to ground yourself can help you move through this phase.
- New Beginning – Here, you start to feel inspired again and have a sense of clarity. In this phase, you can spend time exploring what you want to accomplish and how to move forward.
These phases don’t necessarily happen in order. You may find yourself bouncing between them, and that’s okay. There’s no right or wrong way to transition.
There’s only your way.
Pressure to outdo past achievements
I’m always astonished by how often the phrase, “Oh, just write the next book!” gets tossed around. It’s great advice that served me well earlier in my writing journey. At the time, it was career-changing advice. Now, after having written 45 books, I know it’s not that easy.
Writers ranging from debut to multi-published New York Times bestselling authors often battle this pain point. The good news is, we’re not alone when our gremlins start casting doubt.
Sometimes it might feel like each book is measured against the last. Then there’s the fear of peaking. Writing the book is hard enough without mounting anxiety over whether we can do it again (and again and again). If you have a long-running series, there’s pressure to revisit readers’ favorite characters and give them more of what they love, which can make it harder to branch out and try something new.
As odd as this will sound, sometimes relief can be found by admitting it. Joining an online community or having lunch with another author who has experienced similar struggles might help you regain focus. Simply connecting with someone and realizing we’re not alone can be enough to motivate us to keep going.
Perhaps you might try creating a no-pressure project that you work on in between your other commitments. This can be creatively freeing without worrying about public scrutiny.
Navigating the changing landscape of publishing
When I started out, getting published meant printing your manuscript and mailing it in a box designed for the task. I probably still have one of those boxes in my basement.
From new formats and indie publishing to the ever-evolving marketing tools, the pace of change can be overwhelming. The to-do list grows, and many authors end the day feeling as if they’ll never catch up. If you can relate—I know from speaking with authors, some of whom have experienced burnout—you’re not alone.
If you find yourself drowning in industry changes, setting aside time to learn new tools can ease stress in the long run, even if it feels like another thing on the to-do list. The trick is not to try to do everything at once. Pick one or two to focus on so you can avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Another option might be collaborating with a trusted professional for tasks like social media or formatting books. When you factor in the value of your time, outsourcing may prove well worth the investment.
The emotional impact of criticism
Let’s face it, this one is a biggie. There’s a unique vulnerability that comes with writing a book. We gut it out during rounds and rounds of edits and finally release it into the wild hoping readers will be kind.
But social media can be merciless. Reviewers, emboldened by the freedom the internet offers, can be equally brutal. I still remember an experience with my traditionally published debut book. A reviewer raved about the story, but gave it one star because the cover was, in her words, “grotesque.” As if I, a debut author, had any say in the cover design. I was frustrated and hurt, but more than that there was a feeling of a total lack of control. That experience taught me the importance of having a plan for criticism. I learned to rely on trusted friends and editors for constructive feedback rather than reading online reviews.
Everyone’s response will be different, but preparing in advance for how you’ll manage public opinion can go a long way in preserving your emotional well-being. We can’t control what people say, but we can control how we react to it. An example of this might be limiting exposure to social media. Whatever the plan, having something in place will offset the negative impact of public criticism.
Sustaining creativity over decades
Over the course of a long career, even the most prolific authors can feel burned out or boxed into their established niche or genre. Particularly if they’ve created the above-mentioned long-running series. Readers naturally want more of what they love, and they want it faster. This relentless pressure of back-to-back releases and deadlines can take a toll.
Some authors find relief by writing in a different genre under a new pen name, which gives the feeling of a fresh start. Others create “sabbaticals” to explore unrelated art forms or hobbies. These breaks allow for an emotional recharge and may get your creative juices flowing.
As glamorous as it may seem to the outside world, life as an author is often an emotional roller coaster—equal parts passion, pressure, and persistence. The challenges of this career evolve over time. Whether it’s navigating change, confronting criticism, or simply finding space to explore creative endeavors, having strategies in place can make all the difference.
Having a plan for rest, renewal, and self-care can sustain not only your career, but also your love of writing.
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Adrienne Giordano is a certified life coach, USA Today bestselling author, and seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in coaching, writing, marketing, and client service.