Writer Joseph Epstein is quoted as saying, “81 percent of Americans feel that they have a book in them — and should write it.” UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) estimates 2.2 million new titles are published worldwide each year. Nielsen BookScan reported in 2004 that of 1.2 million books tracked, only 25,000 — barely 2 percent — sold over 5,000 copies. Add the fact that writing a book is difficult.
Instead of deterring me, those facts are motivation. If it was easy, everyone would do it. I am far from complacent. I am determined to learn everything I can; I practice and create every day. I edit, re-write, entertain criticism, and re-write again. With each piece, I strive to get a little better. With the odds stacked against me, I use it as the fuel for my daily writing sessions. As I compose each story, more of my competition falls away. In my book, Steven Wright has made more progress than most of that 81% of wannabe writers. At least he got the page numbers done.
What odds will you beat?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
Jo Hawk 
Once your novel is completed and submitted to an agent the odds are about three thousand to one. All that says to me is that ” Very good ” is inadequate; “Excellent ” is needed.
Practice, study, accept criticism. Keep writing!
Thanks for the encouraging post, Jo!
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Thanks Penny. I know I am going to get there. I like marathons.
Glad you found it encouraging. The daily quotes help me and I am thrilled when others find something they can use. 🙂
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When I published my memoir, one of my coworkers who just read it said “You know, I’m thinking of writing a book too. I have a bunch of anecdotes and stories I want to capture” as if it was something you do over a rainy weekend. Seeing as nowhere near 81 percent actually read books, I’m not sure where they think their skill to write one is coming from/
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Well said Jeff. I believe the stats say when you pull out avid readers, the average person only read 4 books per year. That is still a lot of zero readers. 🙂
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Just like a lot of people think it’s easy to write a blog, just dash off a few paragraphs and insert some pretty pictures. Not in my perfectionistic experience. I’ve spent up to 12 hours writing and editing a post with 4000 words…
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Oh, pretty pictures! Maybe that’s what I’m missing. I don’t think anyone knows that I blog except bloggers. I don’t need to deal with that one.
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I tried to share my blog initially with a few friends (no family though) who I thought might be interested, as I was so enthusiastic about it, but detected very little to no interest, so I just gave up and don’t mention it now, and everyone has forgotten, so in a way it now is anonymous!
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🙂 A photo is worth a thousand words, right? But only if it is the right photo for your content.
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In a IG world that seems to be the mindset. People only see the likes the success, and overlook the blood, sweat and tears that got them there.
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PS. I post on gardening and such, so hence the pretty pictures.
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I love pictures of flowers and plants 🌹
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for sharing, It is very appreciated. ✨💖✨
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Happy to share this with followers, My Dear!
xoxo
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