The Value of Investment

I've lived alone in my universe for a long time. I wrote its stories for six years before readers were invited in through Asylum. And even then, that's just a glimpse. The following books, although not chronological, took you a little deeper, but still there's more.

It's difficult to get readers to invest. They not only spend money to buy the book, but they are committing at least three or four hours (maybe more depending on how quickly they read) taking in the pages. If it's well-written, they are investing emotion and thought. All in exchange for an exciting adventure.

Going beyond the reader, as a writer, we hope to find other people willing to invest in our work. Agents, editors, publishers, and the like. People who validate us and make us feel like what we're doing is worthwhile. Sure, we grow a thick skin through our many (many, many) rejections, but at the heart of every writer is that tiny child holding up his or her artwork in hopes of praise, but fearful of criticism.

I've been very blessed to find a group of friends willing to both read my writing and validate my work. It's a necessary thing in this business, and I am grateful for their support. Their input has made me a better writer.

If you don't have a critique group or a network of writer friends, I highly recommend it. You will get so much out of it. And if you're an introvert, just hold your breath and go for it. I've had to do that myself, and I'm so glad I did.