For me, some of the happiest times in my normal life are when I’m reading a good book or writing. When I’m working on a novel, it can be frustrating, aggravating, tearful and a whole host of other adjectives. Still, I wouldn’t trade my love for words for anything.
I hope you, if you’re a writer, feel the same way. (If you’re not a writer, I hope you have something in your life that makes you feel the same way.)
I came across this blog post from Rachelle Gardner back in February that I really liked. I love blog posts that make me think, and 8 Ways to Be a Happy Author made me think about the way I am as an author. As the title suggests, it’s a list of things that will hopefully make you happier as a writer and author. I narrowed it down a little for myself, but here are my favorites from that list:
- Resist comparing yourself to others. When you find yourself doing it—pull yourself back, pray, meditate, practice mindfulness or whatever you do to find calm, and remind yourself of all the reasons comparison is futile.
- When you start thinking this whole pursuit-of-publishing path is hard, give yourself a reality check. Crab fishing is hard. Neurosurgery is hard. Being a fighter pilot is hard. You can do this.
- Remember that writing is a gift and a privilege. Just the fact that you write means you are literate, you have a computer and you have something to say. Celebrate that!
I find these tips helpful just to think about for a while, which is why I’ve kept going back to this blog post. Choosing a path in life isn’t always easy, but finding something that makes you happy that you can do for the rest of your life is truly a gift.
I'm a lover of writing and books. I graduated from South Dakota State with a master's degree in communications in 2011, the same year I was first published. I'm a wife and mom, and I work in content and digital marketing in South Dakota.
Me and my writing life 
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