I wouldn’t say I’d mind if my books did “take off” in the future. I may even pitch my books to agents when time allows. What I have been feeling is that I want to let go of any expectation that my books will make me money one day. Of course, I’ll still talk about them on Twitter sometimes and my blog has a book page where people can check out my stories if they want to.
I sort of like the idea of being more obscure as an author. When someone does read and enjoy your book, it’s special. Yes, I did put a lot of time and work into my stories, and they didn’t provide me with an extra income so far, but that’s okay. I went for it and gave it my all. Now I can focus more on blogging, photography, health and fitness, and self-care. If my books somehow get more exposure in the future, that’s great. If not, that will be great, too. Because as cool as it is to be an author, I have a lot more to offer the world than writing. That’s just one piece of the puzzle. ❤
Thanks for stopping by today! Are you okay with being an obscure author, or would you rather put more work into getting your books noticed?
Sara Flower Kjeldsen Writes 
I would love to earn money as an author, but I know that you have to be in the right place at the right time. I would write whether I earnt money or not. I would prefer obscure, because I am a shy person at heart.
I love that you’ll keep writing regardless. I think when you’re obscure you could have a better chance of having a cult classic.
Sara, as an obscure author like you, I would like to have more people read my books and continue to do what I can to get my books noticed.
Well that’s awesome. I really hope you get more reach soon!
I didn’t put any effort into marketing whatsoever yet, but I plan to, with the new series I’m planning. My first 4 books were good writing practice, though, and I learned a lot. I wouldn’t say I like obscurity, but I was content for a while, and that might even be a good thing in the long run.
That’s really cool you’ll be boosting your efforts for your books soon. I wish you the best with it!
Keep on writing. Writing is a skill so many people are craving for. It’s a privilege you are among the amazing writers though “obscure.”
I’ll be blogging for a long time and my 16 books will always be available to read to those who appreciate them. 🙂
Yes, you hit the nail on the head. I agree, I feel the same way!
I’m glad to hear. I’m glad you feel the same way! 🙂
I do like this take! I think that if you have other passions and maybe writing is more of a hobby than a potential career for you, being an obscure author is okay. I personally plan to make writing into my career, and I would rather be an author who has a lot of fans and interacts with them. I want to be well-known and well-liked. But I definitely see where you’re coming from. 😉
I felt that way at first, but my priorities changed. I hope it all works out for you. 🙂
I would not pour every speck of energy I have into my writing – at rather large physical cost – if I did not want a whole lot of people to discover it, read it, and learn something from it (From my most recent review: “I learned a LOT from this book, as well as enjoyed the great story.”)
The price is too high. But I seem to be driven, and my previous attempts at fame/notoriety/making a mark on the world have been thwarted, and this is the last one left. So cult/niche is okay, if tending to happen too late on my timeline, but I will be trying to get as much attention as possible for the trilogy, now that I’m planning to upload the second novel to Amazon today.
I want to have that effect on readers, in an area (disability/chronic illness/ageism) they may be able to use a gentle kick in the shins.
Ask me in five years or so when the third volume is finally published. If it takes that few years. I’m slow.
The accomplishment is that you wrote it. You put your story on a sheet of reality. Many of the most famous authors from the past had a difficult time getting their work accepted: Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, E. A. Poe, Mary Shelly, Dante Alighieri, and Stephen King are just a few who walked this road but came out being able to ask those who rejected them. “How do you like me, now?”
That’s such a great point that the real success is finishing the story and putting it out there. 🙂 I also love it how many authors who are successful now had trouble in the past getting their work accepted. Those publishers would be begging to represent them now. 👍😁
You betcha! It’s an accomplishment to finish a book. It’s takes will power to steer a story from start to finish. If you don’t steer it properly, a story is like a car. It will be all over the page like an unsteered car is all over the road and eventually in the ditch. So yes, steering it all the way to completion is a great accomplishment.
I say write what you write best and leave things where they fall. Readers will come.
Completely agree. After all, we want to attract those who appreciate what we wrote. 😊
Yes, we do. 😊
😎