You know you've really made it "when"

MFC.

I think receiving hate mail will be a good indicator.

Indeed. A web-forum thread either criticizing or praising my work will be a good indicator there. Although, sales numbers will suffice as well.

When I don't have time to post here.

I've already told my wife I'll feel like I've made it when I see a copy of my book at the flea market or used book store.

I'll have made it when I get assaulted by teenagers who overhear me telling someone I wrote "such and such".

One way or the other, they will have recognised the book title, so even if they just throw eggs at me, it's still something.

Groupies.

willietheshakes said:

Groupies.

Click to expand...

Hellz yeah.

That's one of the components of the 'MFC' in my post above.

When I have to defend the themes of my book on Oprah

Fan fic.

When some up-and-comer is referred to as the next me.

Matera the Mad said:

Fan fic.

Click to expand...

^THIS!

When I Google myself and find 100 threads on AW talking about how awful I am as a writer...

Oh, and when people start talking about my books as if it was second nature to them... like "you want a good book on this and that, and use this and that technique, here's Ray Wong's XYZ! Great read."

Matera the Mad said:

Fan fic.

Click to expand...

Better yet, a Mary Sue sporking community devoted to fanfics of your work!

Someday I imagine someone tossing my book into the fire, claiming it's rubbish, and then posting a thread about how that was the moment they realized they're good enough to get published.

Click to expand...

I find rubbish inspiring.

Shortly before writing Blood Witness, I read a spy book by, I think, Larry Bond. It was horrible. Most of the clues came from dying terrorists. As they died they'd say things like "You can not stop us. The bomb in times square will go off at 1:32 tomorrow as planned, and you'll never find the yellow hot dog stand in time."

I propped it up on a shelf across the room. Whenever I got discouraged, looking at my words and thinking they sucked, I'd look across the room and say "Well, it's better than that."

If something as poorly written at Twilight can make a zillion dollars, we all be headed for the big time.

When I can live comfortably for the rest of my life off what I've already made, then I'll know I have made it.

When I've made it as a writer? Every time I read something I wrote and think "Damn, that was good."

When I've made it as a published writer? When my grandmother in BFnowhere, Michigan can go into her local supermarket (they don't have a bookstore in her small town) and see my work for sale there.

I've always thought it would be awesome to see someone reading my book on an airplane or something. That would rock.

When I see a total stranger on the bus or in the street or at the library reading my book. That tells me that (a) I published a novel through (b) publishers who are able to sell it to strangers who are (c) actually buying it.

I will have made it when I hear from someone I don't know who read my book. Still waiting for that one.

I think I've had several moments when I felt like I'd arrived, but the one that pleased me most was when a complete stranger walked up and asked my to sign a book.

Parametric said:

When I see a total stranger on the bus or in the street or at the library reading my book. That tells me that (a) I published a novel through (b) publishers who are able to sell it to strangers who are (c) actually buying it.

Click to expand...

^ This.

maestrowork said:

When I Google myself and find 100 threads on AW talking about how awful I am as a writer...

Oh, and when people start talking about my books as if it was second nature to them... like "you want a good book on this and that, and use this and that technique, here's Ray Wong's XYZ! Great read."

Click to expand...

I'm with Ray on this one.