So you’ve finally published your first book. Whether it was self-published or you went the more traditional route, you’ve got that first, shiny-covered book in your hand. Now you can give a wave to the people who supported you. You can also do the same to the people who said, “So, when’s that book coming out again?” only with less fingers, if you’re so inclined.

Then, you sell one. Or two. Or two million. And you ask yourself, “At what point do I start working on the next one? How many fans do I need to make it worthwhile?”

The answer is the same as: “How many copies do I have to sell to be able to put ‘published, SOLD author’ on my resume?”

One.

That’s all it takes to be a published, sold author. And that’s all it should take for a writer to say, “I’m going to finish what I started.”

That one person coughed up money they didn’t have to. Your work isn’t essential to their survival. They could have spent that same money on gas. Or food. Or going to a movie. If it’s a first run novel, they could have bought a movie. All for the same amount they spent on YOU. And what did they ask in return? Not much. They asked to be entertained. They asked for an escape into the world that you created. They asked for your words to make them feel something that they might not have otherwise.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got one fan or a legion. If all you did was a stand-alone novel, then fine. Make all you can and lay it down, if you want. But if you’ve got something…loftier?…in mind, then you’re not just writing for you anymore. Now, you’re writing for yourself and everyone who laid down money for your work.

All that said, if only one person bought your book, it’s worth it to keep going. Because that one person believes in you. And that one person is going to tell other people about your work. And maybe some of them will be interested, and tell other people.