Monday, November 13, 2017

Older But Content

So yesterday was my birthday and it was wonderful with the entire family here. It was so much fun and in the middle of the chaos, I realized how content and happy I am. Thirty or forty (yes, I'm old) years ago, I might not have imagined where I would be today with a large family, a huge house, and a writing career. I wasn't even considering being a writer until after my daughter was born 23 years ago. But here I am, and it's great. The industry is a tough nut to crack and once you are published, it's even more difficult to keep on going. Low pay, hard work, and long hours add up to a sense of personal accomplishment. I hope I never get too old to give up the constant learning that my writing career demands.

 Of course, my dear family gave me all the things I love as gifts beyond their presence. Wine, a GoT wine glass, book gift cards, Yankee candles, and did I say wine. They're the best.

In the industry, my friends and I have discussed what it means to be a bestseller. There are so many lists. Do they mean anything anymore? Do readers care if a book is labeled a bestseller? How the heck does Amazon even come up with their numbers? Do the lists include eBooks? This PW article talks about all these things. All writers want to publish a 'bestseller' but does it mean anything in today's market?

As a writing of romance, I, like most of my colleagues, find myself often defending the genre. Yet, romance makes up 34% of the book market. It's important. So many people have the idea it's not on the same level of writing as other genres. Worse, because most of the readers are women, it's deemed not intelligent or not good stories. The attitude is so ridiculous when the genre is so successful. Many studies have shown the average romance reader is a college-educated female. There's nothing wrong with reading a book with a happy ending compared to reading a book full of the suffering and terrible things that are on the news everyday or perhaps in a person's own life.

On the good side, Supernatural has been great this season so far. Poldark has been satisfyingly dramatic. The Punisher is coming to Netflix on Friday. My once favorite show, Once Upon a Time, is okay this season. I always like seeing how they put new spins on old fairy tales. It gives me creative ideas.

I'm planning for Thanksgiving dinner and starting to gather the 'fixings' as the entire feast is at my house each year. The kids want everything to be exactly like the previous years, but I try at least one new thing each year.

That WIP that I wanted to have done in October? I'm hoping by the end of November now. Sigh.....

Have you ever had a bestseller? Does bestseller 'status' influence you to buy a book? Enjoying Supernatural or looking forward to The Punisher?

41 comments:

Ann Bennett said...

You do write a good book.

I get the snobbery about romance books. For so long I did not read them in my mother did not approve of them when I was a kid. I took what I read a little too serious until I discovered a good escape book was not a bad idea.

Romance is a top selling market and has been. I always got tickled at seeing pictures of Fan Fare in Nashville. The bulk of music buyers and country music fans are women. Country music artists always know their market and they know to make their audience feel good.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Glad you had such a great birthday and spent it with your family. That's great how content you are with your life. I love to escape into books. That's what makes them great, so you shouldn't feel like you have to defend writing romance.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Yeh for happy birthdays and excellent gifts! :)

Been watching Mindhunter on Netflix - slow but interesting overall. And also enjoying Supergirl - still only in the first season, though.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Happy birthday! I always wanted to be a writer, but 20 years ago I had no idea I'd also be a speaker and a publisher.

Let them be snobs. Romance can laugh all the way to the bank.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Susan - so glad you had a happy weekend ... wonderful and to know you'll be with family for Thanksgiving ... and so well done with the authoring - here's to many more years of producing books, and learning - cheers Hilary

messymimi said...

Wishing you many happy returns of the day!

If a book is recommended by a friend, that is more important to me than have a bestseller status.

Pat Hatt said...

I had a bestseller once, if you want to go by those lists, thanks to bookbub. But I find everyone and their dog has it, so they are rather redundant now. Pfft let the romance snobs stick their nose up. Supernatural has been great indeed. The Punisher will hopefully be good. I just fell into writing. Sounds like a great birthday was had at your pad.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Happy birthday a little late!
Best seller just means hitting near the top of any chart these days.

Tamara Narayan said...

Happy Birthday. GOT anything would be cool, but I bet those wineglasses are great. I don't have any bestsellers, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. I don't have any illusions on what it would mean. Pretty sure it's just a marketing tool.

M.J. Fifield said...

I'm a few seasons behind in Supernatural right now, but I'm glad to know good storylines are waiting in the future. And I'm way behind in Netflix's Marvel series. I haven't even seen season two of Daredevil yet...and I think I should watch that before The Punisher. :)

Happy birthday!!

Jay Noel said...

Happy Birthday!!!

"Bestseller" has become all too common these days. Many writers will hit the charts on some obscure list on Amazon (I.e. LGBT Asian Fantasy Romance Comedy), and then the writer starts plastering "Bestselling Author" on everything.
Because of this, I don't consider you a bestseller unless you hit the NYT or USA Today.

Christine Rains said...

Happy birthday! :) I find that as I get older, I'm more content too. I'm enjoying this new season of Supernatural. I loved Castiel in the Emptiness and his double there. Hehehe!

J E Oneil said...

Sometimes it can get really hard to finish WIPs. But congrats on your birthday. I hope there are many more :)

mshatch said...

I know that car and I am desperately awaiting last season to come on netflix.

Arlee Bird said...

Happy birthday! Sounds like things are well with you. May you have many more happy birthdays but never grow older.

Lee
Tossing It Out

nashvillecats2 said...

Belated birthday wishes Susan. Getting older has both setbacks and joys.

Yvonne.

Jo said...

30 or 40 years ago, you are still a spring chicken wait til you are my age. Personally I don't read a book because it's a best seller it has to be something which appeals to me. I saw an article about how much money the romance market makes compared with other genres. You ain't got nothing to be ashamed of, Susan. Glad you had a good birthday. Always nice to look back on.

The Happy Whisk said...

Happy Birthday! Glad you got everything you wanted. Here's to another fantastic year!

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Glad you enjoyed your birthday! I read and watch TV in order to escape reality in my own day and time. I don't need a bunch of realism in my lit nor any reality in my TV.
Drop by and visit me in Caneyhead!

Crystal Collier said...

Happy birthday, late. I hope there was plenty of cheese. You know, best selling is such a temporary thing for 90% or more. Sure it feels great, but in the end, does it guarantee success? Nope.

Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday! =)

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