Loved your article--I, too, am dragging 80. December 19 I will hit that 80. the big 8 - oh. and I taught high school for 50 years. I spend the money I don't have taking writing workshops now that I'm retired, and writing plays in particular. I've got a one-act opening in Hollywood next week. So, at least some of these little ditties see the light of day. I haven't earned a cent writing, but I do get satisfaction seeing actors say my words out loud. You have inspired me to start writing another Substack and short story. Here's to continuing to spill my guts on paper!
Beautiful piece. It’s funny to think: something I initially wanted to pursue for money and fame (being a writer) has brought me neither, and will likely never bring me either, but instead will grow my affection for humanity and make more room in my heart for people. Kind of meeting a goal I never set, in the “man makes plans, God laughs” tradition. If it’s true we bear God’s image – a *creator’s* image – that would explain our desire to create little worlds, and place our longing to create and be hailed as creatives within a grander story. Maybe that makes sense to you, maybe not.
I wish you luck in publishing, Gary! It is a monstrous beast of an industry.
Exactly. I feel the same way. The goals were wrong when we were younger. Now they've self-corrected and it's less about money or prestige and more about The Art.
Some famous writer (I forget who) said that you're really writing for about 12 people. He meant your ideal audience, those few readers with whom your work really resonates. Unless you're one of the handful of freaks who can make a good living doing this, I think that's a sensible approach - find your niche.
Some writers who eventually became famous mostly circulated their work for a small readership without even publishing it (John Donne being an example). And remember what Moliere said: "Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money." With the caveat that few of us ever reach the "for money" stage.
Totally true. People forget how many authors were obscure during their lifetime only to be praised later. You have to do it for the love and the Art, in the end. The rest will be what it will be.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Like you, I’m an old guy. And like you, I had a few small successes. As you must know, everyone thinks they can write a novel, and more and more are, indeed, doing that. But … you know the rest. I think I’ve read a post by you before. I note on your Amazon page, you enjoy bourbon. So do I.
I belong to a couple of writing groups. One devolved into bullshit sessions, over pub food and beers. I stopped going. One was composed of mostly older women (and that’s not a complaint, just an observation). One person came up to me and said, “I wrote a poem.” Okay… I don’t often go to this one as many of them seem to be hobbyists who love to read their prose in front of the group. I consider that ‘performance art,’ and choose not to participate.
I recently found another group, six of us, the ‘Finished Book’ group. We took turns reading and critiquing each other’s work. A couple offerings were terrible, a waste of time to read, unsalvageable. One was technically good, but in the ‘cozy mystery’ vein, boring to me, based solely on my own tastes. Two were really good, with lots of promise. As a writer/reader I believe the problems with them amounted to unrealized plotting issues. Then there was mine. The group was divided, on it. That’s all I’ll say.
Anyway, like you I have been struggling with the issue of keeping going. (There are huge issues involved, one regarding the shrinking numbers of literate young people, another the stranglehold that deviant fanatics have on the publishing business.) The next year or so will resolve my issues with ‘going on.’. And, I have to say, that although your experience and many others (certainly mine so far) are the norm for hopeful, starry-eyed novelists, some writers never give up and go to the grave thinking they’ve written wonderful stories that, if noticed and promoted, would delight thousands, maybe millions. And some have.
I loved this! I'm retired, writing a bi-monthly substack called Freshpolitique, (a made-up oddball word) and my intention is for it to become the launchpad for a published manifesto that will rock the world.
Time for lunch, and after that a trip to the hardware store.
Thanks for boosting my spirits and strengthening my own sense of humility at the same time.
Thank you for sharing this so authentically. English is not my native language but I do enjoy reading English and continuing to learn it, even while my beard has also gone grey quite a while ago.
I've just finished reading Viktor Frankl's book from WWII about his search for meaning and his survival of that horrific experience under old Adolf. I note this latter bloke is getting quite popular again in ivy-covered historic buildings across all of western civilization.
Subsequently I decided to pen my own takeaway and goals, along the three principle of Viktor's philosophy, think it's called logotherapy. Under the creativity tree, I noted that I'm most definitely not going to write for the world out there, but just for fun.
So, perhaps you tried too hard, but I'm not sure? This is a tough one, but why would you say did you not make a success as a writer? But perhaps I'm being unreasonable here, but then, maybe you've already figured that out?
This is a form of reminder about survivorship bias: we normally only hear about the really successful. Thing is...you have been somewhat successful. Also, it's not done yet. Plenty of writers get discovered post mortem
And his story is THE quintessential, normal, average, typical story for most writers. Ergo more important than the hugely successful ones...which are very, very rare.
Yeah. Love it, man. This is a very honest take on reality, a reality that most of us will endure. At least there's this fact: Something like 95% of traditionally published novels sell less than 1,000 copies at this point. Reading is consistently shrinking. AI and Chat GPT are changing the whole game under our feet. But I feel you. I am only 42, but already I have written I think 16, 17 novels (most in rough draft form still; five published), and submitted to probably upwards of 500 literary agents over the past decade or so, and have a few dozen stories published in little no-name lit mags and journals, etc. Very similar to you in many ways. But I'm at a much better place with it now. I no longer want to be famous. I have learned how much I value my privacy. I no longer care what the traditional NYC lit establishment thinks of me. (I no longer trust them, anyway.) Most books sell very, very little, whether traditional or self-published. In the end I have my published books and my Substack and my little following and that's truly all I need. Your path is going to be the case for probably something like 98% of writers; that's just the reality. But it's good, ya know? Perspective. Facing reality. Being "right-sized" as we sober folks say in 12-step groups. Many of us have been and still are sort of lied to and sold this dream that, if you do the MFA and go $60-$100K into debt, or if you make the right connections, or if you produce the "right" book you're going to become serious and literary and famous and rich. But that is as far from reality as India is from California.
I think cooking provides a useful analogy. There are a few celebrity chefs - they run a handful of prestigious restaurants and go on TV and publish books. But besides them there are lots of first-rate chefs providing excellent meals and cultivating their local scene. Few outside their scene have ever heard of them, but all these scenes have their followers. Where this analogy breaks down is that food doesn't survive unto posterity but writing does.
Loved your article--I, too, am dragging 80. December 19 I will hit that 80. the big 8 - oh. and I taught high school for 50 years. I spend the money I don't have taking writing workshops now that I'm retired, and writing plays in particular. I've got a one-act opening in Hollywood next week. So, at least some of these little ditties see the light of day. I haven't earned a cent writing, but I do get satisfaction seeing actors say my words out loud. You have inspired me to start writing another Substack and short story. Here's to continuing to spill my guts on paper!
Beautiful piece. It’s funny to think: something I initially wanted to pursue for money and fame (being a writer) has brought me neither, and will likely never bring me either, but instead will grow my affection for humanity and make more room in my heart for people. Kind of meeting a goal I never set, in the “man makes plans, God laughs” tradition. If it’s true we bear God’s image – a *creator’s* image – that would explain our desire to create little worlds, and place our longing to create and be hailed as creatives within a grander story. Maybe that makes sense to you, maybe not.
I wish you luck in publishing, Gary! It is a monstrous beast of an industry.
Exactly. I feel the same way. The goals were wrong when we were younger. Now they've self-corrected and it's less about money or prestige and more about The Art.
Some famous writer (I forget who) said that you're really writing for about 12 people. He meant your ideal audience, those few readers with whom your work really resonates. Unless you're one of the handful of freaks who can make a good living doing this, I think that's a sensible approach - find your niche.
Some writers who eventually became famous mostly circulated their work for a small readership without even publishing it (John Donne being an example). And remember what Moliere said: "Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money." With the caveat that few of us ever reach the "for money" stage.
Totally true. People forget how many authors were obscure during their lifetime only to be praised later. You have to do it for the love and the Art, in the end. The rest will be what it will be.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Like you, I’m an old guy. And like you, I had a few small successes. As you must know, everyone thinks they can write a novel, and more and more are, indeed, doing that. But … you know the rest. I think I’ve read a post by you before. I note on your Amazon page, you enjoy bourbon. So do I.
I belong to a couple of writing groups. One devolved into bullshit sessions, over pub food and beers. I stopped going. One was composed of mostly older women (and that’s not a complaint, just an observation). One person came up to me and said, “I wrote a poem.” Okay… I don’t often go to this one as many of them seem to be hobbyists who love to read their prose in front of the group. I consider that ‘performance art,’ and choose not to participate.
I recently found another group, six of us, the ‘Finished Book’ group. We took turns reading and critiquing each other’s work. A couple offerings were terrible, a waste of time to read, unsalvageable. One was technically good, but in the ‘cozy mystery’ vein, boring to me, based solely on my own tastes. Two were really good, with lots of promise. As a writer/reader I believe the problems with them amounted to unrealized plotting issues. Then there was mine. The group was divided, on it. That’s all I’ll say.
Anyway, like you I have been struggling with the issue of keeping going. (There are huge issues involved, one regarding the shrinking numbers of literate young people, another the stranglehold that deviant fanatics have on the publishing business.) The next year or so will resolve my issues with ‘going on.’. And, I have to say, that although your experience and many others (certainly mine so far) are the norm for hopeful, starry-eyed novelists, some writers never give up and go to the grave thinking they’ve written wonderful stories that, if noticed and promoted, would delight thousands, maybe millions. And some have.
I loved this! I'm retired, writing a bi-monthly substack called Freshpolitique, (a made-up oddball word) and my intention is for it to become the launchpad for a published manifesto that will rock the world.
Time for lunch, and after that a trip to the hardware store.
Thanks for boosting my spirits and strengthening my own sense of humility at the same time.
Love the title of your Stack!
Just what I needed to read today. I'm not a writer. But even readers sometimes feel like giving up.
Dear Gary,
Thank you for sharing this so authentically. English is not my native language but I do enjoy reading English and continuing to learn it, even while my beard has also gone grey quite a while ago.
I've just finished reading Viktor Frankl's book from WWII about his search for meaning and his survival of that horrific experience under old Adolf. I note this latter bloke is getting quite popular again in ivy-covered historic buildings across all of western civilization.
Subsequently I decided to pen my own takeaway and goals, along the three principle of Viktor's philosophy, think it's called logotherapy. Under the creativity tree, I noted that I'm most definitely not going to write for the world out there, but just for fun.
So, perhaps you tried too hard, but I'm not sure? This is a tough one, but why would you say did you not make a success as a writer? But perhaps I'm being unreasonable here, but then, maybe you've already figured that out?
Sincerely,
A Horseman in Shangri-La
May all your projects thrive.
Your post has called out the best responses I have ever seen for a stack. Congratulations!
Thanks!
“When one is old, writing is a way of reminding oneself to be humble.” Lovely thought to ponder
Thank you for writing this.
I love this story and that you keep writing for the love of it.
Sweet piece.
This is a form of reminder about survivorship bias: we normally only hear about the really successful. Thing is...you have been somewhat successful. Also, it's not done yet. Plenty of writers get discovered post mortem
There's this condition I call The Oliver Twist Syndrome. You have some gruel. It's good gruel. It's not that bad. But you keep saying, "More, please."
And his story is THE quintessential, normal, average, typical story for most writers. Ergo more important than the hugely successful ones...which are very, very rare.
"When one is old, writing is a way of reminding oneself to be humble." Yes!
Yeah. Love it, man. This is a very honest take on reality, a reality that most of us will endure. At least there's this fact: Something like 95% of traditionally published novels sell less than 1,000 copies at this point. Reading is consistently shrinking. AI and Chat GPT are changing the whole game under our feet. But I feel you. I am only 42, but already I have written I think 16, 17 novels (most in rough draft form still; five published), and submitted to probably upwards of 500 literary agents over the past decade or so, and have a few dozen stories published in little no-name lit mags and journals, etc. Very similar to you in many ways. But I'm at a much better place with it now. I no longer want to be famous. I have learned how much I value my privacy. I no longer care what the traditional NYC lit establishment thinks of me. (I no longer trust them, anyway.) Most books sell very, very little, whether traditional or self-published. In the end I have my published books and my Substack and my little following and that's truly all I need. Your path is going to be the case for probably something like 98% of writers; that's just the reality. But it's good, ya know? Perspective. Facing reality. Being "right-sized" as we sober folks say in 12-step groups. Many of us have been and still are sort of lied to and sold this dream that, if you do the MFA and go $60-$100K into debt, or if you make the right connections, or if you produce the "right" book you're going to become serious and literary and famous and rich. But that is as far from reality as India is from California.
Thanks again for the honesty.
I talked about my writing and publishing journey on my podcast: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/podcast-episode-2-literary-agents-9e7
I think cooking provides a useful analogy. There are a few celebrity chefs - they run a handful of prestigious restaurants and go on TV and publish books. But besides them there are lots of first-rate chefs providing excellent meals and cultivating their local scene. Few outside their scene have ever heard of them, but all these scenes have their followers. Where this analogy breaks down is that food doesn't survive unto posterity but writing does.
Popping in from the void to say thank you for carrying on and for speaking truth. xo