"IT'S ME NOT YOU"

 

             Battling Dissolution

 

 

 

You’ve either said or heard this before at the breakup of a relationship, “It’s Me, Not You.”

 

What started as something extraordinary sadly ended with disillusionment. The author gave it their all, but it seemed that wasn’t good enough.

 

In the end, they decide to bid farewell to a relationship that’s no longer working.

 

Sounds like a first-world problem? It’s not; all creatives suffer relationship woes in one way or another.

 

The drive and passion that existed in the beginning at some point started to wane. Soon the realization set in that maybe becoming an author wasn’t what and more challenging than expected. Everything dreamed about didn’t happen, even the hope of becoming a bestselling author.

 

Still, should you throw it in the towel or stick it out? Despite the fact, your book was supposed to be life-changing. But somewhere in the grand scheme, it all became one big disappointing mess with no way out except to part ways from your dreams.

 

In some situations, it’s for the best; the same result every time may indicate it is you and not your audience.

 

No? I’ll explain.

 

Relationships are built on trust. The same applies to author-reader relationships. The desire to satisfy becomes overwhelming, and you forget why you wanted to become an author.

Somewhere the law of cause and effect turned your dreams downward.

 

Somewhere along the way, quantity over quality became a solitary purpose.  

 

The relationship forged with the audience became more about the author and less about them.

 

Now both are ready to call it quits when the desired result doesn’t come to fruition.

 

BB King said it best “ The Thrill is gone!”

 

But it doesn’t have to end that way; God didn’t create the world in one day. He took his time and spread it out over six. That was a teachable moment to realize God does things in His time, not when expected.

If you suffer from the why, not me syndrome, don’t despair. Today isn’t your time, but it’s coming. 

 

It will happen in due time. So instead of giving up, stay in the game. If you put in the work, you can revive a dying career.

 

All authors have days where book sales aren’t what they expect, and reviews are nonexistent; they are nowhere near the top ten, but there is always hope for tomorrow.

 

Someone needs to hear this today to motivate them not to give up but keep going.

 

Anything worth having is worth working for. That includes goals.

 

As an author, you have grand illusions of becoming the next bestseller. There’s nothing wrong with having ambition, but be ready to put in the work.

 

The book-selling business is energetic; you must match that energy to reach that goal.

 

You could argue Unrepresented and Independent publishers have a disadvantage as far as marketing and relevance is concerned.

 

That may be true if you lack the resources to self-promote. Still, there’s no excuse for not bringing your A-game.

 

I know what I speak. I’m a self-proclaimed relationship expert on paper, and why I’m a romance author because I’m better at fictional relationships than real-life ones. I’ll be the first to admit relationships of any type are complicated. They require tons of work and presence.

 

It’s why I do what I do. I love writing and creating new content for my readers, keeping them engaged and anticipating the next book. Hard work is rewarding.

 

Knowing that should motivate you to keep going, realizing that you will achieve that goal one day.

 

We should all want to write great books and not only sell them. I submit to you that you should want to write and sell great books.

 

If you disagree, well, it probably is you and not the other guy.

 

Author-reader relationships are buildable and maintained through bonding and lasting partnerships.   

 

Most relationships end because there is little to no fire or the chemistry is combustible and burned up too soon.

 

Enduring Authors are always fired up and ready to learn new ways to reinvent themselves to ensure a lasting flame they can rekindle, forging author-reader relationships that won’t end badly. Or if they do, let it end amicably.