After nearly 20 years as a full-time writer, I sometimes ponder how we, as writers, measure success. Is it the number of books we’ve had published, the amount of money we’ve made? Is it reviews, accolades and awards, number of copies sold, weeks spent on bestselling lists, or, in more recent times, the number of readers who follow us on social media? The meaning of success surely varies from writer to writer, but could it perhaps also be defined as none of the above?

I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that for me, being a “successful writer”, is quite simply being able to get up in the morning and do what I love. OK, I haven’t made millions, so I am rather biased, but this is my definition of success in a nutshell – doing what I love and getting paid for it. Coming to this conclusion reminded me of a conversation that took place a little while back, some ten years into my writing career, with someone who clearly defined success as a writer very differently.

I had been invited to an event in London’s Docklands, where journalists, writers and media/PR people were mingling merrily on a sunny summer’s day. It had been a long day of networking, so I was grateful to nab a table and take a pew. Soon after I’d sat down, another woman asked if she could join me. We introduced ourselves and were soon “talking shop” – she a journalist, me a writer – and the following conversation took place:

Woman: So, what are you working on at the moment?

Me, all excited: I’ve just about finished a new book.

Woman, unimpressed: Oh, really? Is this your first book then?

Me, with a hint of pride: No, actually it’s my fourteenth book.

Woman, flabbergasted: Fourteenth? You must feel like a terrible failure!

Me, utterly surprised: Erm…no, not really! Why?

Woman, triumphant: Well, I’ve never heard of you!

I could have chosen to be offended, but instead this rather random conversation and uncalled-for-comment makes me chuckle to this day. Having just finished my 28^th book, I strongly suspect the woman in question still hasn’t heard of me. I must feel like a terrible failure! 😁