This week the Discover Challenge asks this: This week, tell us about a moment in which someone asked you a question you weren’t sure how to answer, whether because you didn’t know, were too uncomfortable, or thought you might offend or confuse the other person.
There is one question constantly on my mind. Years ago it was this: Will I meet someone? What will I do for a job? Will I have children? Where will I live? These are all questions most people have in their life at one time or another. With time all these questions found their answer. But there is one question I ask my self many, many times. Can I be a published author?
I have been writing for a long, long time. I won’t bore you with my age, but you can know that I have authored six manuscripts, but as of yet have not published one. Part of it is fear I suppose. Fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of the unknown. I believe I am a good writer but what if no one agrees? Another part is the mystery of the process. Traditional or Independent? Self-publish or let the professionals do it? It is enough to make me stark raving mad!
Over the years I have received feedback to buoy my belief I know how to write. I submitted three of my novels in writing contests, receiving awards all three times. But the ugly specter of doubt came to visit and questioned how many competitors I faced. Other writers know what this feels like as you have likely felt the same thing. I also have had friends read my work and give me great feedback. But they are friends that mean well, but may not be truthfully helpful when it comes to an honest opinion.
But I want you to know something. I am tired of the questions that remain unanswered. I want to beat the odds. I want to finally say I am a published author. I want to se my work in print.
But understand me when I say published author I just don’t mean a book in print. I mean an author who routinely sells his work. I want to launch a career for the rest of my life. I want to see my novels on a shelf in whatever bookstore I visit. As it is now I feel such a yearning for this when I enter a bookstore that I avoid them quite often. It is such an unquenchable thirst that sometimes I get pretty troubled about it.
Thankfully through this year’s National Novel Writing Month and through making connections on Word Press I feel like I have found others with the knowledge and insight to help me move forward. I feel more confident now than I ever have that I will begin to answer this question. I cannot wait to enjoy the answer.
Joe's Musings 
Well at first I was going to reply one way/ but when I read the ending part about wanting to see your books 📚 in stores and on shelves – this post is a bit of a contradiction. To me at least.
Just remember that success is not always becoming big and popular – although we all would like a bestseller – and how affirming to have sales – but in my humble experience – the authors that write for fame and money sometimes are s different breed of writers.
And so publish your work – especially award winning material ! But stay grounded – because another thing I notice is that not all authors are good at sales or promoting their work –
In fact – some great writers don’t have those gifts – and like Bonnie Rait said back in 1992 – she was a success before she was famous – she was a success to play music
Likewise – you are already successful to have finished works and an obvious gift.
So stop all this overthinking and get publishing