INFOGRAPHICS ARE A WONDERFUL INVENTION THOUGH THEY ARE A LITTLE SMALL WHEN REDUCED TO FIT IN THIS BLOG.
I USE THEM ANYWAY—IF ONLY AS A POINTER TO THE ORIGINAL SITE
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For some years now, while continuing to write—and keep up to date with my other areas of interest (principally military matters and the U.S. economy), I have been trying to understand the book market a little better—and have been investing a formidable amount of time to do so.
If I told you how much, you would look concerned, and suggest I seek therapy—or you would arrange for people in white coats to lock me up somewhere. Most people seem to think you can research almost anything adequately in three months—and absolutely nothing should take years unless you are trying to establish a colony on Mars, or do something of equal difficulty.
What can I say! The book market is large, complex, and ever evolving—and practically as fast as you think you have the hang of something, the ground rules change. Then there is the fact that it is extremely useful to monitor the annual sales cycle a few times and soak up the rhythm of the thing.
I’m also a great believer in not moving until you are ready to move—and then, ideally moving at speed. But, as ever, it depends on the situation. I have also a tendency to take the long view—which many regard as nuts. I don’t find it so.
How do you know when the moment is right? I tend to rely on my inner voice. Advice may or may not be well meant, but I have found such peer group contributions to be of debatable quality over the years—though it is always tempting to go with the flow.
But, you don’t have to give in to it.
Of course, the price of moving at your own particular pace is high—in all kinds of ways including financial, relationships, and stress—but the price of not being true to yourself is a whole higher, and nothing worth doing is ever easy.
But, it is satisfying.
In this case, given my age (72 next May) I am much influenced by the fact that this will probably be my last significant entrepreneurial venture (don’t count on it)—so I would like to do it right.
I’m not after perfection, just a sense I’m on top of things, and am as prepared as any entrepreneur can be for the inevitable setbacks, unexpected events—and opportunities. Sudden sales success, for instance, can overload your administration and do a great deal of damage. .
The unexpected, as I have written before, is to be expected.
Incidentally, Nicholas Taleb—the intense looking guy pictured below—is the author of BLACK SWAN about precisely that subject. It’s a thought-provoking book.
Frankly, I think there is a great deal to be said for a monthly salary—except the price. I expect most writers and other creative artists would agree.
Are the stresses and insecurities of a creative life worth it?
Well, like most people, I would like a secure comfort zone—but the pleasures, satisfactions, and joys of writing have exceeded my wildest dreams.
I’m downright surprised—but most agreeably so.
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