Instant success. Everyone wants it, whether they admit it out loud or not. Most people would even settle for near-future success, as long as they knew it would be attainable sooner rather than later. But success after decades? Or maybe not until just before you take your last breath? Yeah. That's not so popular.

But honestly, that's the way it sometimes is with writing. Unless you're one of the lucky few, born when all the stars were in perfect alignment, then success is going to be a long, slow, slog, taking all the stamina you think you've got. And more. Sounds kind of depressing, eh? Right again, buckaroo.

Unless you redefine success.

Who says a yearly book contract with one of the big five is the measuring stick of victory?

Why is a certain dollar amount the validation of being a "real" author?

Not that those are bad things. Shoot, I'd snatch 'em up in a heartbeat. And I acknowledge that even with those things, it's still a ton of hard work to write a novel.

But maybe the real successful writers are those who pound out words every day, with no guarantee of a buyer for their story by the time they type The End. Those are the brave souls writing because of an inner drive. Those are the writers I want to cheer for.