My top tip on reaching success in writing is tenacity and patience.
Back in 2017–almost a decade ago–when I wrote and self-published my first novel, I started off from the very bottom.
At first, I was adamant about not making enough sales on my debut novel in the short amount of time; that was before I was an impatient person. I wanted to be a bestseller in a few days. When I frequently looked at the blank sales report, that was when I’d thought that I have failed as an author. I’d thought that I didn’t have what it takes to become a successful bestselling publishing author.
As the days, which turned to weeks, then turned to months, followed by a year or two, I realized that I cannot always get what I want.
I learned from professional writing mentors that I cannot be a successful bestseller in just a few days.
All of this takes time.
I then learned to accept rejections and seek critical improvements on writing from my mentors.
I removed my debut novel from publishing and I revised my novel from top to bottom, from the beginning towards the end. I did that as long as I could pace myself. Once the improvements were done, I republished my novel back on the market.
Then, I took more advice from professionals. I waited and waited. Time is the essence after all.
I then decided to not check the sales report because that would make me feel more impatient, so I suddenly ceased checking it and resumed waiting.
As I was waiting for the progress report, I then took the time to write my next novel. That time, I took my time without rushing and without making anything erroneous in my next novel and paced myself.
Years later, I published my second novel.
Same as the first, I waited and waited.
Suddenly… something happened.
I finally took the liberty to check the sales report progress simply out of curiosity.
That was when I found out that I have made more sales than I anticipated. I was finally elated enough to see how much progress I have made with my newly-founded writing career.
I knew all along that remaining pertinacious and patient would lead to my success.
I may not made a lot of money from my published novels and other books, albeit it was simply enough to pay my bills and put food on the table. That is all I needed for now. I don’t need to spend my hard-earned money to buy luxuries; my student loans, bills, and grocery shopping are more imperative than buying something nice for myself.
Adult life comes first. Of course, doing things I don’t want to do is more important than getting what I want in life. That’s just how life is in the adult world.
After noticing my minuscule success from self-publishing and earning a minimum sum from them, I realized that I do NOT want to stop there.
With all due tenacity, I continued to come up with new novel and book ideas. I never wanted to stop writing because I became confident and aware that all of my upcoming book and novel ideas would eventually become future bestsellers… slowly, of course.
I paced myself with all these future book ideas without rushing. I sought more advice from other successful published authors I have personally interacted with. I remained tenacious with my ongoing writing career without giving up and lamenting about my alleged failures.
As of today, I am still writing new books–slow, steady, and patiently–in the progress while pacing myself. The longer it takes to write my future bestsellers, the more successful I will eventually become should I remained patient with myself.
I have all the time I need to write my future bestsellers. Not instantaneously, always someday whenever I am ready and satisfied with my works.
Henceforth, my top tip to reaching success in writing is all about pacing yourself, remaining pertinacious, and, imperatively, remaining patient as the time slowly comes by.
Not just writing; this goes for other career paths as well.
I believe that that is simply the best way to reach one’s own success.
Timing, pacing, waiting… and never giving up.
(C) by Nix Cheng, 2026