How Do Authors Feel When They Finally Publish?

Publishing a book is supposed to be an achievement, right? I do from time to time see Reddit posts from people who announce they've finally published their novel and their post heading always has an exclamation point at the end. It's a good feeling, if memory serves. I'm pretty sure that when I published my first book, I had that sense of euphoria, too. I'd worked so hard on it, for so long, and at last I managed to do it. That was a victory in itself. I knew absolutely nothing about marketing or that it was even a requirement. I thought, you publish the book and people will grab it. I don't think I even went back to view my sales numbers, which turned out to be a wise decision. The novel has never sold one single copy.

In fact, my next two novels didn't sell a single copy, either. That kind of puts a damper on an author's giddiness in hitting the "publish" button.

Publishing my current novel, I know I should feel terrific, just like those Reddit posters, but I feel nothing. I don't feel good; I don't feel bad; I just don't feel. It's another task completed. I've now published eleven books (I think) and the novelty has worn off. I know that nothing is going to happen from this point, so why waste emotional energy on it? I'll still try to sell some copies, because I'm obligated to try. I just don't think I'll try too hard. I went all out with Inn Dreams and nothing happened. 

Why do writers write? The good ones do it because writing is in their bones. The bad ones do it to make money. The second category is probably the more successful one. That's not fair, but that's life. I refuse to tie myself into knots begging for anyone's validation.