Authors are unique in that they are not competing in the market to put other authors out of business as other professionals do in most industries to maintain a competitive advantage and capture more market share. To the contrary, as authors we are inspired by each other as we share in the passion for the written word's ability to entertain and enrich our lives. As rich and diversified as there are different cultures and languages, so too are the diversity of stories and the style in which they can be told. It is the one industry in which we hope for more entries.
True, if someone walks into a bookstore with only enough money to buy one book, we hope that our cover art and the description of what lies within will grab their attention; we need to make a living like everyone else. But we don't wish for the exclusion of other authors' success. Furthermore, as authors, we do not purchase our own books, but often buy, read, and recommend works of many other different authors. How many other professions would do this with their competitor's products?
Therefore, we can be proud, my fellow authors, for ours is a noble profession in which all benefit from the success of one another. How might you benefit from the recent bestselling status of another author? We can all learn from each other and be inspired by a good story. And even if your work never attains a bestseller status, writing has it's own intrinsic reward, not the least of which is a degree of immortality, as each book we put in print leaves a piece of ourselves for posterity.
You have a way of making me feel better about myself.
ReplyDeleteNicely said.
ReplyDeleteThanks all, it is truly great to be a part of the community of writers of which you are part of as well!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those things that marks any good creative community. I am sure there are exceptions to this rule, however, they are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about being alive during this day in age is the connection writers can have with one another. When I wake up and find another writer following me, or someone has retweeted my words or a link to my book, I feel supported, even though we have never met face to face. Thank GOD for the internet, blogs, and Twitter. It facilitates long distance bonds of support that were previously unknown to us.
From one writer to another, thanks for your post, and good luck. ;-)
Thank you Alexis, yes the internet social network can indeed be a positive way for communities to be brought together in ways not possible before...we are brothers and sisters in the writing community now:)
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