I just read a brilliant post by author Tim W. Long (Who is by no means associated with me, probably doesn’t even know me or who I am, and totally disavows me and in no way endorses me even looking at his words, haters!) on writing success, and he’s 100% right. It’s cruder than I would have put it, with some swearing involved, so if that bothers you, don’t read further:
I just read a gloriously ranty post from Michael Anderle and it got me a little fired up. Maybe I’m just a little high on life right now because I have finally moved into the 5-figure a month sales goal as an author. Yeah. 5-figures a month. I’ve heard people say “Wow – you’re so lucky that you get to write full-time.” It’s not luck! It’s busting my ass every day. It’s weeks where I’m doing 14+ hour days at what I love. It’s actually writing instead of talking about writing.
You know the biggest key to success? NOT GIVING A FUCK. That’s it right there and you can quote me on that.
The minute I walked away from self-admiring writer circle-jerks and writing groups who seem to thrive on bullshit drama over actually writing, I was a much happier person. The minute I quit caring about having my ego stroked. The minute I stopped caring about getting books in bookstores, speaking at cons, being invited to panels, or even being recognized as a best selling author, I was a better writer for it.
Authors – ask yourself a question about the groups you associate with as a writer:
Do they ACTUALLY sell?
Do they have any credentials outside of TALKING about writing?
Do they honestly help YOU with your career?
No? Just walk away.
I’ve gone out of my way to help any author who asks for help. Got a new book out? I’m happy to promote it. Need a suggestion for how to advertise something? I can probably share some decent info. Wondering how to build your mailing list? I bet I can offer a few tips. You know what I have asked in return? Nothing at all.
My books have been in best seller lists for 3 years now. I’ve been a #1 horror author on Amazon. I’ve had that fancy best-seller tag on my books.
Big frigging deal!
At the end of the day all I care about is entertaining people, and making a living from the craft. That’s it. The petty people who do drive-by one-star reviews can kiss my ass because I’m laughing all the way to the bank. I’m sitting in my robe, sipping coffee, not regretting for one minute that I’m not fighting an hour plus commute to work every day.
How you doin – petty asshole hiding behind an anonymous name? Having a good day? Yeah?
Great – now go fuck yourself.
Have a terrific day, friends. 
🙂
That’s what I call inspiration served with attitude:) Thanks for the posting it on your blog, Jon. I love the no-bullshit approach. There’s too much thinking and blabbering on writing forums and not enough doing.
All you ever do is bitch about people here. You don’t write. You’ve written what, one book, with one on the way? Calm down RR Martin. Wow.
Who are you kidding besides yourself and maybe your sock puppet accounts?
Thank you for reading. Glad you enjoy my writing enough to keep coming back (though this wasn’t even my writing, just good advice). Hope you enjoy the next book, it’s awesome and advanced reviewers are gushing to me about it!
It’s not like GRRM is a paragon of productivity. His last book came out in 2011.
Next time you try to insult an author based on quantity, go big. James Patterson or go home.