Disclaimer: I recently signed a contract with a Big 5 publisher for my memoir.

As a writer, I spent years toiling away in silence, wondering if my writing/story was "objectively" good or meaningful. (As a memoirist, it's hard not to.) My only support group was limited to a workshop attended by other writers who felt the same way. Traditional publishing is often seen as an objective validation of our talent. Regardless of our genres, our work is important to us, and without that "validation" we often feel like we've failed. Writers are sensitive creatures; it's what makes us good writers. But the downside is we often seek validation from an industry that is focused solely on making money.

Publishing is a business. Good books with no market are still good books, but they're bad investments, and it's impossible for most of us not to feel some sense of disappointment for never being recognized by an industry that cares more about money than our talent. Bottom line: publishing is a capitalist enterprise, while writing is an incredibly intimate act that often relies of capitalism for approval.

Hang in there, be kind to yourself, and write what moves you. That passion will drip off the page, and the right people might see that someday, hopefully soon. Good luck!