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The local Dollar Store is one of my favorite places to get cute stationary, pens, gift wrapping, folders … at a super cheap price (1.00), plus part of its appeal is that the stock continuously changes. When I walked thru the books aisle, it dawned on me that the section was getting bigger. This got me thinking – where those the books that never sold, that did not do so well with the readers, or was it just part of a closeout?
I continued pondering this, and this is when I realized how much blood and sweat the writers of those books (that were now selling at a $1.00) had to endure – long hours at the computers, tons of revisions … Then, I thought, for most unpublished writers, the first book contract represents a lot, the pinnacle, the arrival … the reward for the years of hard work and dedication. What would they think if they saw their book there? Would they be disappointed or not?
This got me thinking some more – the first book contract is just the first footstep in a long path – the journey just began and the success of that book, of that first step, will depend much on the marketing, but also on the readers. This is not the pinnacle. Then I thought, I don’t want to write worrying about all this stuff – would it sell, not sell, end up at the Dollar Store aisle? … That’s when I had my epiphany – It truly doesn’t matter; I want to write because there is a story that has to be told and I love doing so. That is when I saw that isle as a second chance for that story – for the many readers that will now get their hands on it at a mere $1.00. Was that so bad? Not if I choose to not worry about that part, and enjoy the part that matters most – the writing.
What do you think? Will you be upset if your book ends up at the $1.00 aisle?
September 16, 2011
inkspeare
7 responses to “My Epiphany at the Dollar Store”
lifeinanotebook
September 16th, 2011 at 18:08
I would not be upset if I found one of my books at the $1.00 aisle, simply because it would mean I had been published and that in itself is a great accomplishment.
inkspeare
September 17th, 2011 at 09:16
Yes, that is a great achievement on its own and the opportunity for many more people to read it as well. Much success in your writing!
bardicblogger
September 17th, 2011 at 10:51
A part of me would feel happy just to know people were reading my stories and relating to them but another part of me must be a little competitive because that side wants to do more than that. I love it whenever I get a genuine positive comment, especially about my fiction, that means a lot more to me than success for some reason.
I used to love looking around second-hand book stores and reduced rate books , because I would find books that were no longer as popular but were still good. Now those same books are bestsellers because they’re on TV so it’s a strange world.
inkspeare
September 19th, 2011 at 11:17
I understand your reasoning, and yes it is a circle, books come and go, and come back again, so we never know if our book will come back stronger next time.
Maggie L R
October 10th, 2011 at 15:04
I understand the need to “get the story out” I know that stories lie within each of us, some never tap into this corner of thier mind and the story lays dormant. I am glad you choose to let it out because you do write well. I enjoy reading what you have written.
inkspeare
October 10th, 2011 at 15:24
Thanks Maggie. I love writing and feel it is my call, besides I enjoy it too. Blessings!
inkspeare
October 9th, 2011 at 10:57
Thanks for stopping by.
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