I published my first book at 15...it did not go well.

I published my first book at 15 and it did not go well.

Honestly, I wasn't mature in my craft yet and my family did try their best, but none of us really understood books at the time. But the disappointment was rough for everyone involved. It didn't help that my parents had bragged about how great I was to my three younger siblings ("why can't you be like your sister" is never an awesome thing to say to a kid, in case you were wondering).

I think the stories of Christopher Paolini (another author who started publishing Fantasy as a teen) gave all of us unrealistic expectations. (For the record, I wish nothing but the best to Christopher. Love his books, he has absolutely worked for his success, and he came across as an awesome guy when I met him at a book signing.)

The best thing my parents did was support me long enough for me to decide this was what I wanted to do with my life so that by the time their support turned into resentment, my mind was already made up. It has been 13 years of nonstop trial and error (more error than trial, really) and always, always, always writing more stuff.

I'm sharing this because I see a lot of people assuming that I started publishing last year around the time my socials started getting traction. But honestly, I have been publishing for over a decade, have three complete book series, and have been posting content almost daily for three years.

If you are just starting out, please, please, please, PLEASE do not compare yourself to where I am now. In your own journey, you might be an overnight success. It's wholly possible, but not likely.

You can't control the random events that create overnight successes, but if you really, really want something, you can choose to be stubborn enough to not quit, put your stuff out there, and keep trying new things.

Own the stage even when the stadium is empty.

(For the record, I am still on this journey. I still have a day job, I primarily read audiobooks while doing other things, and most of them come from my library.)

But yeah, sometimes success in a given season of your life means just not quitting. I don't like it either, but yeah.

[Elisabeth_Wheatley]

I published my first book at 15 and it did not go well.

Honestly, I wasn't mature in my craft yet and my family did try their best, but none of us really understood books at the time. But the disappointment was rough for everyone involved. It didn't help that my parents had bragged about how great I was to my three younger siblings ("why can't you be like your sister" is never an awesome thing to say to a kid, in case you were wondering).

I think the stories of Christopher Paolini (another author who started publishing Fantasy as a teen) gave all of us unrealistic expectations. (For the record, I wish nothing but the best to Christopher. Love his books, he has absolutely worked for his success, and he came across as an awesome guy when I met him at a book signing.)

The best thing my parents did was support me long enough for me to decide this was what I wanted to do with my life so that by the time their support turned into resentment, my mind was already made up. It has been 13 years of nonstop trial and error (more error than trial, really) and always, always, always writing more stuff.

I'm sharing this because I see a lot of people assuming that I started publishing last year around the time my socials started getting traction. But honestly, I have been publishing for over a decade, have three complete book series, and have been posting content almost daily for three years.

If you are just starting out, please, please, please, PLEASE do not compare yourself to where I am now. In your own journey, you might be an overnight success. It's wholly possible, but not likely.

You can't control the random events that create overnight successes, but if you really, really want something, you can choose to be stubborn enough to not quit, put your stuff out there, and keep trying new things.

Own the stage even when the stadium is empty.

(For the record, I am still on this journey. I still have a day job, I primarily read audiobooks while doing other things, and most of them come from my library.)

But yeah, sometimes success in a given season of your life means just not quitting. I don't like it either, but yeah.

[lianxie]

It’s very normal for your first books to be less successful than later books! There’s no shame in that - it’s just the way these things go. We hear about great successes because they’re surprising, not because they’re realistic. You’re doing fantastic by continuing to write!

[apollolewis]

I’m very happy my parents support my writing. It’d be nice if I could make writing my full job but I’m only planning on doing that if I come into some ridiculous amount of money. It’s still a hobby I like and may be able to get some money out of if I ever get the confidence to publish. I’m turning 20 this year so I have time.

[ZwarteKonijn]

This made me realize why my mom used to push me so much to publish the stories I wrote as a teen. She was never really interested in the stories I wrote, just 'publish, you're spending so much time on it'.
She even got writers friends to check up on my stories.

I never really wanted to publish it, I just loved to write for myself and would probably feel to embarrassed to publish it.
So I think it's super cool you decided to go for it, publishing your own stories is kinda scary :D

[BurrowingBookworm]

I NEED MORE BOOKS FROM YOU U R LIKE THE BEST AUTHOR AND I NEED MORE

[Feytouched.Locket]

The best part about being an aspiring writer and someone who graduated school for animation: I can make my own cover art 😂

But genuinely, glad you followed your passion and stuck it out, very admirable and inspiring 🥰

[rmt]

Man. Wish I had that level of starting support in anything from my parents.

[Cosmic_Cookie_]

This is pretty nice to hear, and im happy you can be open abojf it. Many people can accept that their first time at anything won't go well, but fail to realize that it might take more than 2 or 3 or even 5 times until you start actually seeing the positive results of what you're doing, and even less people have the willpower to push through because they believe it's just nor worth it, or they're just not cut out for it. So, seeing a writer that stuck with it and can openly admit it takes lot of time to succeed is really sobering. Thank you for all your hard work, and I hope you don't have to survive on peanut butter again lol

[Elby_MA]

This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for always keeping it real without being motivational! <3

[Roondawg_Valhalla]

I believe Brandon Sanderson wrote 12 novels before getting published as well. Bravo for seeing your dream thru. Always there is much more hidden to the iceberg than what is visible! 👏🏼

[MorganMaumell]

What an inspiration! I hope your parents got over their resentment!! Good on you for never giving up. It's so motivating even to a hobby writer like myself.

[FaradaysCaged]

Exactly this! I've slept in my car and was happy I had a car. I'd eat cold beans out of the can and was happy to have a meal. Do what you have to but NEVER GIVE UP! 🎉

Congratulations btw ❤

[ZELI_DA_SLAY]

This was inspirational. I'll keep going. Thanks for giving me hope

[xornxenophon]

Writing is not for the faint of heart! I will check out your books and give them a try!

[Kittyo]

As someone who is struggling a lot right now, I found this really inspiring

[louvie]

Just bought Daindreth's Assassin, your videos introduced me to your books. Hang in there, you've got a promising future.

[douglasfugate]

I'm glad you got to do what you wanted and love what you do.

[Viksbelle]

Sometimes, the best writing comes out because you have to fight for the right and time to do it, knowing it might never pay off.

[Anam_Anwar]

Wow. That's some serious grit and gumption you got!

[sheireencinemaqueen]

I truly admire your courage, I wish a had some of it... Still I'm happy you kept going, as a result we readers got some gems we can love and read, soooo thanks!!!