What does “happiness” mean for you as an author? Getting an agent? Finding a publisher? Or do you prefer to shoot for the moon and won’t be happy until you reach the best-seller list? Take a few minutes to think about it? What would it truly take to satisfy you as an author?
Now that you’ve come up with an answer, imagine you’ve reached that mark. Will that truly make you happy? Or will you want more? How long will it take before you look further down the path you’re on and set the next milestone? One thing leads to another, and the answer to the initial question isn’t quite as simple as it seemed, is it?
A number of years ago, a survey was taken that asked people at different income levels what yearly salary would be “enough.” Those making $25,000 answered that somewhere around $50,000 would be enough. Those earning $50,000 though $100,000 would be sufficient. Those at the $100,000 level thought they would be satisfied with around $250,000. Do you see the pattern? “Enough” is never enough.
It’s not much different in other areas of our life. The iPad we were dying to have when it first came out is now three generations old and we need to upgrade. The car that was so cool when we first bought it has become just another vehicle to fill up with gas. The newest game has become dull from overuse.
We were not created to
be filled up with material things. The longing we have for contentment can only be filled by our Savior, Jesus Christ. So how can we apply that to our writing life? Instead of asking what we want to achieve with our writing, the question we should ask is what does God want us to achieve with the gift He has given us and nurtured in us? When you answer that question, then you will find your happiness as an author.