Writing is hard

Being published only makes it harder and more complicated

Before I start *any* new project now, I ask myself if this is a story I love enough to want to write even if it goes nowhere

Will the work itself be a reward? Because sometimes that's all you get https://twitter.com/sadieblach/status/1260303970267955200

I have two published books, which is great! I love both of them and am proud of the work I did

I also have four projects I've finished and shelved since my debut sold. They were equally worthwhile, and I'm equally proud of them

Some stories just don't find a home outside of you, no matter what stage of the game you're at

Some find an audience and that audience ends up disappointed in them

Some feel flat despite your best efforts--like you did everything you could and still failed the work

There are only two things you can control: whether you're giving each story the best you have to offer at the time of writing--not your best in general, the best you can manage right now, because circumstances may mean that's less than your best was last year *and that's okay*

And secondly, whether you choose to gamble on ideas you love and want to work on and will be proud of no matter what happens with them

That's it, that's all there is

I think most people know that this is a craft you should go into for love and not for money, and that honestly makes things worse sometimes, that you want other people to love the work the way you love it

But they won't always, and it will hurt when they don't no matter the context, so you have to find a way for your sense of achievement and your pride in each story to be the thing that matters most

That's true with the first thing you draft, and when you're querying, and when you're on submission, and when you have multiple books out

Anyway, I love you all and I'm rooting for you, every step of the way