Surviving the Writing Life: Wisdom from Alicia Rasley | The Author's Mic™

Hey fam, It's Kelly , indie author, publisher, and host of The Author's Mic™ and BTA Fridays™ – Breaking the Algorithm™.

This week on The Author's Mic™, we sat down with someone who has truly lived the writing life , the highs, the lows, the industry shifts, and everything in between. Alicia Rasley brought the kind of wisdom that only comes from decades of navigating the publishing world, and I'm here to break it all down for you.

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to survive (not just succeed) as an author, this episode is for you. We talked about early wins versus long-term sustainability, the power of controlling your own creative destiny, and how to protect that precious creative spark when the industry tries to snuff it out.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/tWqFlMslz0E

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Early Success vs. Long-Term Survival in Publishing

Here's something nobody tells you when you're starting out , early success can be a double-edged sword.

Alicia shared her journey through traditional publishing, and one thing that really stuck with me was this: sticking with writing through the vicissitudes and misfortunes is the real accomplishment. Not the first book deal. Not the initial sales spike. The staying power.

Too many authors chase that first win and then find themselves lost when the industry shifts or their publisher loses interest. The real question isn't "How do I get published?" It's "How do I build a career that survives the ups and downs?"

This is why I'm such an advocate for authors becoming the CEO of their own brand. You can't control what a traditional publisher does. You can't control algorithms or market trends. But you can control how you show up, how you build your audience, and how you define success on your own terms.

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Indie Publishing vs. Traditional: The Control Factor

One of the meatiest parts of our conversation was about control , and let me tell you, this hit home for me.

In traditional publishing, you hand over a lot. Your cover design. Your release timeline. Your marketing budget (or lack thereof). Your backlist rights. You're essentially a passenger in your own creative journey.

Indie publishing flips the script.

You decide everything. The pace. The pricing. The branding. The pivots. And yes : that's terrifying and liberating all at once.

Alicia talked about how having that control allowed her to experiment, to link her books in creative ways, and to build something sustainable rather than chasing the next contract. That resonated with me deeply because that's exactly why I built Bright Headed Publishing : to help authors take ownership of their work without getting scammed or left behind.

If you're new to self-publishing and feeling overwhelmed, check out our 5 Essential Self-Publishing Tips for New Authors to get grounded before you dive in.

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Linking Your Books: Series, Settings, and Characters

Here's a strategy gem from Alicia that I want you to write down: link your books.

Not every book needs to be part of a numbered series. But you can create connections that keep readers coming back. Same fictional town. Recurring side characters who get their own story later. A shared world that expands with each release.

Why does this matter?

Because readers who love one book will actively seek out connected stories. It builds loyalty. It builds your backlist. And it gives you creative freedom to explore different angles without starting from scratch every time.

Think about it : when you finish a book you love, don't you immediately search for "more books like this" or "what else did this author write"? That's the behavior you want to cultivate. Make it easy for readers to stay in your world.

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Plotting, Character Growth, and Getting the Story Right

Alicia is known for her expertise in craft, and she didn't disappoint. We talked about plotting and character development in a way that felt both practical and inspiring.

One thing she emphasized: every scene should have a single irrevocable event that changes the course of the plot. Read that again. Let it sink in.

If your scenes aren't moving the story forward, they're stalling it. If your character isn't being changed by the events around them, the reader feels it. Pacing problems, saggy middles, boring chapters : they often trace back to this issue.

And here's another truth bomb: rewriting is an essential part of writing. If you're "getting it right" in your first draft, your standards might be too low. That's not me being harsh : that's Alicia's decades of experience talking. The magic happens in revision. The first draft is just you telling yourself the story. The rewrites are where you craft it for the reader.

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Defining Your Own Success as an Author

This was my favorite part of our conversation, honestly.

What does success look like to you? Not to your family. Not to other authors on social media. Not to some arbitrary bestseller list. You.

For some authors, success is quitting their day job. For others, it's holding a physical copy of their book. For some, it's impacting even one reader's life. For others, it's building generational wealth.

All of those are valid.

The danger comes when we let external metrics define our worth. When we chase someone else's version of success and burn out trying to get there. Alicia's longevity in this industry comes partly from knowing what she wanted and not letting outside noise derail her.

So I'm asking you directly : have you sat down and defined what success means for your author career? If not, that's your homework this week. Write it down. Make it real. And then build toward that, not someone else's dream.

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Protecting Your Muse: Guarding Your Creative Energy

Let's talk about something we don't discuss enough : protecting the muse.

The publishing industry can be brutal. Rejection. Bad reviews. Comparison traps. Algorithm changes. It's easy to let all of that noise kill your creative joy. And once that spark is gone? Writing becomes a chore instead of a calling.

Alicia shared how she's protected her creativity over the years, and the biggest takeaway was this: you have to be intentional about it.

That might mean setting boundaries around how much industry news you consume. It might mean taking breaks between projects. It might mean choosing projects that excite you over projects that seem "marketable." It might mean finding a community that lifts you up instead of tearing you down.

Whatever it looks like for you : prioritize it. Because without that creative fire, there's no book. There's no career. There's just burnout and regret.

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The Bottom Line: Keep Learning, Keep Writing

Alicia's final piece of wisdom sums up everything beautifully: "The more we learn, the better we write!"

This industry is always changing. Craft is always evolving. There's always something new to discover about storytelling, marketing, and connecting with readers. The authors who thrive are the ones who stay curious and keep growing.

So whether you're just starting out or you've been at this for years : keep learning. Keep showing up. Keep writing.

And if you want more conversations like this one, make sure you're subscribed to The Author's Mic™ podcast where we bring you real talk and real wisdom from authors who've been in the trenches.

Watch the full Alicia Rasley episode here: https://youtu.be/tWqFlMslz0E

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Drop a comment and let me know : what does success look like for YOUR author career? I'd love to hear from you. 💛