Making Hits

A new writer asked me
how I know readers will like a story.

I don’t.

I have no idea whether or not
a story will resonate with readers.
I write the best stories I can write
and hope for the best.

Paul Simon has the same view
of the hits he has had.
“Because I was surprised at
a lot of the hits I’d had
and didn’t know what made them hits.
I would never have guessed that
“50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”
would be No. 1.”

Patrick Monahan of Train
can’t tell either.
“But I not being driven
take way more chances
and that’s why it works.
Because you know “Hey Soul Sister”
was not supposed to be a huge song
but the fact that
a ukulele was picked up
made it more pop.”

When I launched non-writing products
(beverages, new burgers),
I also had no clue
what would be a hit.
All the focus groups in the world
couldn’t tell me this.

You won’t know
if your product will sell
until you launch it.
Sorry
but that’s the gritty truth.