When I was growing up I was told to find another career because authors did not make money. Besides not making money, writers need to know the following:
1. A comfortable chair is a requirement because you sit in for long periods of time.
2. Since you cannot afford a personal trainer, nor do you have the time, learn chair exercises to manage your weight and to keep fit.
3. Do not be discouraged when you sit before your computer or type writer for hours, waiting for creativity to kick in.
4. Develop a thick skin becasue everyone has an opinion about your writing style.
5. You will need to develop additional layers of thick skin because nothing prepares you for each rejection letter.
6. When you receive the letter that your book is going to be published, do not and I repeat do not quit your day job--it is difficult to make a living being an unknown author.
7. As an author, did anyone tell you that you may be responsible for marketing, promoting, and selling your book?
8. When your book is released, you will have more to worry about than if someone will read or like your book. The question is--will they buy it?
9. Being an author is like winning the lottery--you begin to have relatives you never knew about and everyone is your friend. Why? They want a "free" book.
10. You receive your first royalty check and you can't wait to open it. You blink, there must be a mistake. Reality sets in, making a living as an author is difficult.
Having said all of that, if you are like me, you write because you have a passion for writing. It has nothing to do with the money! Be encouraged!
Lorraine
