And please rethink adopting a motto that involves the words “paralyzing fear of failure.” I think we’d all be happier if we focused on the upside of success versus the downside of failure.

But whatever works for you!

I’ve sort of adopted “At the bottom of success is a paralyzing fear of failure” as my motto. I haven’t had a chance to test it out in the writing field yet, but it’s getting me through Honors Geometry with a 105, so I’m going to call it good. And check my answers just one more time before I hand them in…

I like seeing non-traditional posts from writers–things that make them seem human. That’s a hard feeling to get on the other side of a screen or a page.

MJG, thanks for checking in! And I never thought of it that way, but you’re right: listening to authors is my entertainment, too. David Sedaris was here in town last night (I chose Ed Viesturs over him–see today’s post), and you can bet he charged a nice price. Not every author is a showman like Sedaris is, but the overall principle is the same. Yes, I would pay a cover charge to listen to many of my favorite authors.

Michelle, I’m like you: I’ve bought a lot of books because I liked the authors first. And I’ve rarely been disappointed! I figure if someone resonates with me in person, I’m going to like what they write.

Sara, sorry to hear about your dad owning and reading James Joyce. That could mess a person right up. And about the handselling: I’m not sure I would respond well to that. I think I might run in the other direction. I prefer covert selling techniques, like listening to someone give a talk, rather than having to have a conversation face-to-face. Shyness rules on that one.

The question for me is — are you committed to the right things and for the right reasons? I think it IS a huge deal to get and stay on bestseller lists — it’s a great thing to be committed to. Equal to the financial rewards — which in and of themselves are a reason to be committed to the cause/quest — it guarantees that your stories are reaching a large number of people and the longer you’re on the list, the more people you will reach.

I just think writers will always be well-served by focusing on telling the absolute best stories they’ve got in them in as engaging a manner as possible and then working to find ways to get them in as many hands as possible. We write to be heard, don’t we?

I can see his approaches working. I have often bought a book because I have met the author and like them personally, or because speaking with them develops an interest in their book.

I agree with Tess that anxious writers are more successful, up to a point. As the daughter of a man who actually owned and read James Joyce, I will always feel a bit insecure about my writing.