CALM DOWN, SLOW DOWN

My biggest piece of advice for Indie authors today is this:

CALM DOWN, SLOW DOWN, AND ENJOY THE RIDE!

Far too often, Indies get caught up in the rush of the moment: the rush to get another book out. The rush to get reviews. The rush to get sales.

One of the biggest reasons you self-published is because you'll be able to have long-term control over your books. LONG TERM, not short. Sit back and enjoy the ride - things will come as you're ready for them! Don't push yourself so hard that you aren't enjoying being an author. Don't stress so much over sales and marketing where you lose joy in the writing itself. And don't worry that no one is buying your books! There's a time and a season for everything. Your time will come, but maybe right now is your season to prepare for that time - to focus on becoming a better writer rather than a better marketer.

As you become a better writer, you'll reach a point, if you don't give up, where sales will NATURALLY come. People won't be able to help but talk about your books.

You shouldn't need to feel like you have to convince people to download your stories - eventually, your writing will do that for you.

In the meantime, CALM DOWN, SLOW DOWN, AND ENJOY THE RIDE! Honestly - it's not a race. How long are you planning on being an author? For only the next two months, or for the next twenty years? Enjoy the now - enjoy the obscurity! Enjoy the opportunity to test things out without everyone watching.

Now go get some writing done. :-)