As writers we make promises. We forget that sometimes.

-We promise to write a great article that fits the readership, giving it our absolute best, delivering it on time.

-We promise to write a solid book, published professionally.

-We promise to spin a tale that entertains while tickling the intellect.

-We promise to provide a regular article/blog post/periodical/column that maintains a standard.

But the promise we are making, the unsaid promise but the very expected promise, is that we will continue to fulfill these promises in each and every piece of writing we do afterwards. We will not backslide. We will not rest on our laurels. We will continue presenting our best work, in the best way possible.

Quality is character.

Maintaining a standard can represent a dozen or more different aspects of you and your writing.

-Quality of word choice.
-Quality of grammar.
-Quality of topic.
-Quality of delivery per contract.
-Quality of cover.
-Quality of speaking ability.
-Quality of website.
-Quality of voice on social media.
-Quality of reachability.
-Quality of storytelling.
-Quality of voice.
-Quality of concern for the reader.
-Etc.

For instance, because you won an award does not mean you’ve arrived. Your next work should be every bit as good or better.

Because you landed a gig in a prestigious publication doesn’t gain you access to other publications unless you have the writing chops to prove you are still that good.

Some artists and writers cringe at winning an achievement prize, because that piece of work dictates the standard they have to adhere to from then on. Truth is, with or without a prize, the simple act of signing your name to the piece you wrote is like signing a contract to your readers, fans, and followers. You’ve just presented to them what they will perceive as the best you have to offer.

When you present to the world, you are professing loyalty and homage to the reader. To not consider that as an honor, to not present anything short of your best, is to risk being akin to an ambulance chaser….someone trying to earn a buck without much effort.

Sure you can do the latter. . . sell your wares with minimal effort (i.e., AI, plagiarized, bait and switch products, cheap covers), but eventually comes the realization that you might be more concerned with the income than the product, and even less the customer. And that realization is not just to the reader, but to yourself as well. There’s nothing really left to be proud of when you don’t fight to be authentic and on the tippy top of your game.