Is writing only half the battle?

Question

I can write lots and write good but is that only half the battle to becoming a successful author?

Answer 1

Firstly, it's write "well" not "good", which seriously contradicts your statement.  Secondly, yes, I do believe it is only half the battle.  After you are done writing, you have to edit, edit, edit, find a good agent, find a good publisher and make sure they have a good marketing team.  Then you have to market your book effectively and make sure it sells.  Even then, you're nowhere near being a J.K. Rowling.  In order to be a truly successful author, you need to be lucky to a large degree.  If you can target your audience, you're a quarter of the way there, but your audience needs to be interested enough to pass the news on [see how Twilight became popular, even though it's no good?].  Bottom line: Yes.

Answer 2

I think writing is obviously the most important part but getting a book published is very difficult. Harry Potter was originally rejected MANY times before it was finally published. You also have to rewrite the book many times before a version is good enough and has enough editing.