[jesselawson]

Hey I know you're feeling like giving up, but you have to realize that you've only taken the first step--and the good news is, it's a step that only 10% of people ever make! So congratulations! You published your first novel! Only 10% of people ever finish "that novel" they have in their head that they feel the urge to write. I'm proud of you!

Now for the next part, which no one like's to hear: the easy part is over. Yep, you heard that right: getting your first work finished and out there was relatively easy compared to the mountain you have set yourself on to climb. Yes, only 10% of people dare climb that mountain, and here you are--among the 10%. Now, as you look forward, I can tell you that at every major step, every major obstacle, and every major setback, only 10% of people keep going.

You might think there's a secret to this writing thing, but there isn't. Just like when we're hiking up a mountain, the only thing that matters is putting one foot in front of the other. That's the only way you climb. So you HAVE to get back in there (mentally) and keep going!

You just started on an amazingly difficult and frustrating and beautiful journey in life. You made it to where only 10% of people get to--and now you want to stop the journey?

My friend, your journey has only just begun.

[SunlightEdge]

Thanks for your kind words. Perhaps what you say is true. I'm not sure I'm qualified (ironically) to say.

What I can say is that the time, the sacrifice, and then the crappy marketing ploys (no one tells you about that). It's real hard work. It's really hard when you get nothing for all your efforts.

I know a 2nd book would be easier. But it still would take a lot of time. Probably 3-4 years.

Potentially in... a while... I might write again. I am full of ideas. But honestly I'd rather build IT stuff right now. Programming is my new love.

Don't get me wrong there is a real beauty in writing. But, well there is a lot to life. And I'd like to explore different things. There's a ton of creativity in IT.

I can always start writing again when I'm 55/60. I actually don't think it's a young man's activity. There's no money in it either.

But yeah, sitting in the sun during my twilight years... writing. Sounds great.

[jimmyed]

I never really understood these pep talks, given by strangers but like they really know you. I see this on twitter too:

"Hey you, you are beautiful"

"Hey, you are doing a great job this week, I'm proud of you"

The Twitter ones are telling everyone who reads that they did a good job this week. It's a public message. How can it have any sincerity?

I understand the desire to console the GP here, but the Twitter ones make no sense to me.

[jjeaff]

I'm definitely not into this stuff, but at the same time, the human mind is a strange and mysterious thing. Generic pep talk, positive signage, self affirmations all seem to have a positive effect on a lot of people.

There are quite a few scientific studies out there that bear this out.

[nprateem]

What motivational bullshit. Why should the GP continue working hard for little reward?

It's easy to tell someone else to be unhappy and poor isn't it?