It seems like in this business, the mile markers are always changing. For instance, long before I sold a single book, I told myself if I ever sold ten, then, at that time, I would feel like I’d “made it.” First off, what did that mean to my younger self? A reasonable amount of security in my chosen profession, certainly, which includes the promise of more contracts and a solid reputation. I assumed, at that point, I would feel like those established authors whom I’d admired for so many years. I assumed I would have their same knowledge, experience and effortless self-assurance.

I’ve now sold eleven books and I can’t say I possess the sense of having “made it.” I’m pleased with my accomplishments but I don’t feel secure. I do wonder if there ever comes a point where one can take this for granted. If there is, I haven’t hit it yet. So it makes me smile when I think of me, mark 1, looking at this from the other side.

I have to wonder if the authors I’ve idolized simply present a collected exterior while secretly hiding a cluster of quiet fears, but it’s not the sort of things one can ask someone in a random email. I find it amusing how the point of view changes as you travel down the road. At one time, simply getting an agent to read my manuscript seemed like a huge deal. An offer of representation would’ve been as unattainable as the moon.

As I made tiny steps forward, my goals changed, of course. They are now are very different than they were ten years ago. But no matter where you are in your career, there are always new mountains to climb and I think it’s important to look on those as challenges rather than obstacles. I was excited when I first began to sell on proposal; it meant a great deal. Then I came up with an idea for a YA, but before we can pitch it, I have to write it. Not a partial or a proposal — the full manuscript. But I don’t mind at all. While I’m proven in adult fiction, now I need to produce the goods in this new market, and I’m totally stoked about tackling this new opportunity.

It’s also crucial to reward yourself for attainable achievements. You can’t control whether you receive an offer of representation or sell a book. You can control whether you finish a book in the timetable you set forth, or if you send out so many queries in a month. And if you do the things you’ve set out to do, that offers a sense of accomplishment and you get less of that awful spinning-your-wheels feeling. This can be a tough business, and it’s hard to work alone long hours a day without any tangible evidence of that your work is worthwhile.

What are your milestones and goals and how do you reward yourself for meeting them? What advice do you have for other writers in this regard?

Ann Aguirre is a bestselling, multi-published author with a degree in English Literature. She is a prolific writer, with nine releases planned for 2011 alone. She writes romantic science fiction and urban fantasy under her own name. As Ava Gray, she writes high-octane romances. She also writes "hot paranormal apocalyptic action" with fellow author Carrie Lofty under the pseudonymn Ellen Connor. Follow her on Twitter.
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