Why aren't you published?

I know, starting where I mean to build from.

As my first post on the subject I'm going to keep it reasonably simple, because, quite frankly - it is actually very hard to get published. I should probably add the caveat - successfully.

I don't know about you, but with the time and the love I put into my writing, I would like it to reach as wide an audience as possible. That takes a lot of varying factors. I'm going to make something of a list but I know I will be missing many others.

First of all:

1) Write something good. - This is harder than you would think. Drafting, editing, making sure it all matches up and makes sense. That you aren't rambling, that you haven't given a character you love but is superfluous too much page time. Honestly... this list goes on, but it is so worth the process.

2) Decide on a publishing route. '-Again there is so much more to this. You can self publish, you can go the traditional route or a mix of both.

3) Try and make your chosen route succeed.

4) Marketing - you have to come up with a presence, to be noticed, it is not as simple as writing something good and the sales will follow. In this world of social media, even the traditional route require marketing.

5) Time - all of the above takes time, something people needing to earn a living to put food on the table and keeping their delightful little balls of fluff constantly amused, entertained and pampered; don't have in abundance.

Again, as my first post on this particular category I will very likely be going into the above in further detail as I progress.

However, like I have said in my previous post. Part of the joy of all of this is the journey. One day my dream will come true.