What is success in writing?

As you may know, I am in the process of phasing out of my work in documentary film so I can concentrate on writing and finishing my second memoir, A Storyboard Life which tells behind-the-scenes tales of how that unlikely career in documentary film came about.

At the same time, I’m also renovating and “re-visioning” a small house & gardens in a small farming village in Portugal. I share stories and colorful illustrations about my new life as an immigrant in Painting Portugal.

My passion for storytelling has me seeking out kindred spirits and thinking big thoughts while pulling weeds in my gardens. Why am I doing this, what exactly am I after?

I recently watched an intriguing podcast on the topic of success in a writing career by New York Times bestselling author, former NYC lawyer, and all-around positive spirit, Evelyn Skye featuring Italian neuroscientist and writer, Ali Hazelwood. Both women left strong professional careers in order to write.

Their conversation moved from the topic of success into an interesting discussion of the ability to continually reinvent oneself as a writer and artist.

This prompted me to think about how I myself define success in my writing career versus the success I enjoyed in my documentary film career.

Spoiler alert: It’s a completely different animal!

With films, I measured success in numbers. It was all about coming up with creative and intelligent strategies to get the films I consulted on in front of as many viewers as possible across the US. Having worked on more than 100 film projects, I can say I was successful. But I was always doing it on behalf of someone else, and someone else’s creative vision – not mine.

By contrast, with writing, it’s just about me and the stories I think (and hope) will resonate with others. Or at least entertain. It’s about revealing my “Kristin-ness,” as Evelyn might say.

So how do I define success these days? Two ways –

Happy moments in writing are when I feel I get the words right. When I’m able to re-create moments on the page in ways that feel both honest and interesting to me, as well as perhaps a bit playful, mysterious, intriguing and maybe even inspirational.

But more than that, success is when I hear from you, when something I write resonates with you enough to prompt you to take the time to tell me about it. Success is all about making that connection.

Success is when I get comments like these, many of which are from people I’ve never even met:

• Beautiful beginning 🥰 And if what physics tells us about time and the multiverse is true, you ARE back in time, whispering to that weeping woman on the park bench. She can feel it. As we do, reading this. Thank you – Christine

• On the MARC train to my television job, and my eyes are wet and heart thumping. You may have an Angel who intervenes for you at crucial moments. Or you may be one, getting paid in kind at those moments for what you do for others – Stephen

• I'll pre-order it and make my book club take it up as our book of the month as soon as we have it in our hot little hands! The log line is epic and needs no explanation – TK

• Oooh…can’t wait to hear what comes next! (And thank you for the trip down memory lane with your perfect impressions of the former presidents. Bill Clinton pulling in his lip…I had completely forgotten about that!) – Ellie

• Lucky you, to get to meet Madeleine L'Engle! I like her tips for writers, too. Keep posting these! Keep writing! – Karen

• Kristin, this story just gets better and better. Isn't it amazing how much coincidences and chance meetings in life play such key roles as our lives unfold. Thanks for sharing – Jim

• I read your substack this morning and was enthralled by your story – Elizabeth

• I am attached to this story like no other for numerous reasons – Gary

• A beautiful story. Much appreciation for telling it – Liz

• What beautiful stories you write – Rose

• Lovely phrasing in a story about the flowering of new possibilities – Dante

• I just LOVE LOVE LOVE learning all of this. I'm so glad you have this beautiful ability to write these very personal stories. This just gets better and better!!! I am so hooked! – Leslie

• Beautifully worded and this tale engulfed me into days past, working with four children, and always broke. I love art too, and my home is filled with oils and other signed works. Each brings back a memory - both good and bad. Thank you – Elizabeth

• Kristin, as I continue to read these frames, there is a long list of superlatives forming - not just for your writing but for who you are. A new one, that I've added just today is Achiever. Not over achiever because that suggests you perform or performed above expectations, or a ceiling of some sort. I prefer Achiever because I don't think your world has ceilings - if that makes any sense at all. Tremendous read as always – Jim

• You are cruelly tormenting me. Teasing in sly delight. Hooking and reeling me in, with a sure tug to set. And then with but a glimpse of payoff- cut away! Leaving me dangling with only fingernails and thin air between me and a crash to depths of anticipation. Shame on you! 🫵 (Can’t wait till next Tuesday..!) 🙃 – Stephen

Thank you, thank you, thank you all for taking the time to let me know what has touched you in some way. These connections fill my heart and my head, and keep me chasing after the words to tell these stories. 🥰

Kristin in Barcelona, by photographer Juan Ferragut