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Will all good writers be published?Rachelle Gardner’s answer : she can’t say Yes for sure.

Personally, the idea of publication is appealing, because it sort of validates what I’m trying to do: write. Also, the writing process is only ever complete with readers, their interpretation of the story, the movie they see in their heads as they read the story.

That said, though, writing as an activity is much too rewarding on its own to give up on, just because of the slim chances of publication even if the writing is good. Though I do have my doubts sometimes.

It is a mish-mash of so many things to me—a passion, an attempt to write the sort of thing I would love to write, sort-of-therapy, a source of joy, a way to be part of a community, an opportunity to put down my own perspective about the way we live our lives or don’t, an escape— I could go on. It is also publishing, being read, getting feedback, improving my craft. Writing is also just writing, a just-because thing.

So, I’d love to be published, yes. It would be stupid and dishonest to deny that. But I’m not going to give up writing if I do not achieve wild publishing success. Something might work, some day. It might not.

In the meanwhile, it is back to daily writing exercises, revisions, first drafts and so on—the agony and ecstasy of the writing process.

And if you’re interested, here’s what Chuck Wendig says in his latest post on the writing life. Read it, it is worth a laugh. Or two.
Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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7 Comments

  • Damyanti says:

    @N.R. Williams very nice to meet you too, welcome to my blog, and thanks both for the follow and for entering me in the contest 🙂 Look forward to reading your book soon!

    Talli, yes, absolutely, we need to keep things in perspective. The perspective also helps when I get a pile of rejections lol

    M Pax, I think it is that way for most of us writers 🙂 Thanks for your comment!

  • M Pax says:

    Writiing keeps me sane. I can't stop. 🙂

  • Talli Roland says:

    Great post. I think it's important to remember why we write – because we love it! Sure, it's nice to be published, but it's good to keep things in perspective.

  • Nice to meet you and thank you for your comment on Clarissa's blog today about my post. I have you entered into the contest since you left your email.
    Nancy
    N. R. Williams, fantasy author

  • Damyanti says:

    J.L. Clarissa, thanks for the comments.
    I think a lot of writers would agree with us.

  • It's so true. Even if I knew I wasn't going to be published, I would continue to write for myself. I love it too much. The characters wouldn't let me stop anyway.

  • Once it gets into your blood, it's hard to walk away from writing, whether you're published or not.