23 Comments
User's avatar
Pamela Kelley's avatar

It’s definitely worth it. Most successful authors I know just love writing. Making a living at it is a wonderful bonus. Took me six years and thirty books before one broke out to a higher level and I went fulltime. I didn’t expect it but also had no intention of stopping so I think it’s so true what Malcom Gladwell said in his book outliers and it’s that most people who find great success are the ones that put in the hours of practice and persistence. 😊

Expand full comment
Pamela Kelley's avatar

Believing it will happen is so important, just knowing you can do this forever. I don’t ever want to retire.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Yes! I think the belief part is so underestimated. You have to have just a touch of delusion.

Expand full comment
Emma Louise Ward's avatar

I totally agree, it's definitely worth it. I simply don't know what else I'd do if I wasn't chasing this dream. For me, it was so nice to hear someone say exactly how I feel. So, thank you.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

And thank YOU for the validation 🙏🏾

Expand full comment
Nicole Scoggins's avatar

"If I do these things, I will end up here. Period." Thank you so much for reminding me to have faith.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Yup! The faith and belief in yourself is so important.

Expand full comment
Amanda Coreishy's avatar

I enjoyed hearing you speak about your path. I've always needed to write and the flow and satisfaction it provides I don't find with anything else. However, it's not the only thing I want to do. So if my external success turns out to be limited and I'm never a full time or professional writer, that will be fine by me. In fact being a full time writer for the long term was never my plan. Nonetheless, I expect I'll keep writing and working on being published, whether self-published or otherwise. You are so right, writers don't all want the same things.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

We don't, and that is perfectly fine. As long as we're honest about what we want, then we can accept the outcomes and enjoy the process.

Expand full comment
Ariel Curry's avatar

I love your perspective and couldn't agree more! I don't dream of making a living from my writing; I tried that for a while with ghostwriting and it was so much harder than I thought. But I do love writing and I want to keep publishing - just for the love of it.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

We need more people writing just for the love of it. One of my upcoming posts is on writing vs capitalism. I'll be touching o this.

Expand full comment
Ariel Curry's avatar

I agree! It feels liberating to have a “day job” again so that I can write just for fun. :) Can’t wait to read your next post!

Expand full comment
Holly Starley's avatar

Worth it!

And I LOVE that you always expected it to work out. Such a heartening message. Thank you.

Expand full comment
Damon Blankenship's avatar

Seeing is believing! Thanks for the inspiration Kern!

Expand full comment
Emily Klein's avatar

This is interesting because I, too, was inspired to write an essay after two different friends dropped the term “starving artist” in our conversation. I think there is a cultural assumption that artists can’t make a living and so when we don’t see immediate success (which, by the way, doesn’t exist in most jobs - learning curves are real), we freak out and run. This is something I’m working through myself, and I’d like to thank you for stepping forward and sharing your experience. It’s important data to have out in the world.

Also, I’d like to believe that when you feel a nudge to share a story it’s because someone in the world needs it. This is why I keep writing.

Expand full comment
Weatherproof's avatar

I think it was Shonda Rimes who said if there’s anything else do that

I feel the same about writing being a calling and to fulfilling that purpose provides immeasurable value to my life

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Yes!!!!! That's exactly who it was. Thanks.

Expand full comment
C. N. Reed's avatar

This convo absolutely made me subscribe. It's gritty, it's raw and real. Kern, you're really opening up this conversation for a lot of new writers who may not understand the journey that writing takes you on. Anne Lamott was the first person to pull the veil back for me, but it's great to see it grounded here. Love it.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Thanks Cody. So glad you recognize and appreciate what I'm trying to do. And welcome!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Lancaster's avatar

I get to work with other authors on their books too and that's my joy. It's fine whatever writer ambition you want when you know the field and the rules.

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Exactly!

Expand full comment
Nicholas Poulios's avatar

Hi Kern, nice explanatory video to keep going in whatever you are doing -- not just writing.

Perhaps I have been in finance for too long and see things through this lens

That is not too say if you passionate about something to not do it.

I suppose everyone is different.

However here is the rub, for me writing is lonely and anti social and I'd say to focus on only that writing activity presents a lost opportunity cost to learn other skills. Nothing wrong to have 2 or 3 interests to keep you motivated and the bonus sometimes that pops up when cross pollination across different domains presents creative golden nuggets.

Remember the power of compounding, a 1% improvement everyday in whatever activity

you are undertaking leads to significant gains over time. In this way your 3 activities are like a portfolio, if one goes down and the other activity goes up - you diversified the risk and in a wellness state of mind.

but they what if all three go up !

Expand full comment
Kern Carter's avatar

Yes, there's definitely a more practical way to go about things. I think what you're saying is very correct. I've just decided on a different path with a more narrow focus. I still feel like it's worked out because I've been able to make a living as a writer while I chase the dream of a full time author, and it's been a fun ride. Even the frustrating moments have been worth it.

Expand full comment