Like most writers, I write for the joy I get from writing.
With the ability to self-publish nowadays, though, money is one of the reasons a person decides to author a book.
Forget the fame. Forget the feelings of euphoria you get when you see your name in print, on the cover of a book. Forget interacting with fans.
Those writers do it for the money. That’s it.
It’s pretty sad, really.
What’s sadder is when an author hopes to make money from his/her book… and doesn’t.
Like me, for instance. I make more money through freelancing and by having AdSense in place on Wording Well.
Of course, I don’t write to make money. Well, not solely to make money. 😉
I write for the sheer joy I get from writing.
I think most writers do.
When I Write
Here is a poem I wrote (originally published on Poetry Perfected and reposted here):
When I write, I love myself
I lose track of time
I forget about watching TV
I love me.
When I write, I feel better
My self-worth is raised
My heart becomes full
I am inspired.
When I write, I achieve greatness
I change peoples’ lives
I elevate their souls
I help you.
When I write, I experience joy
I feel the warmth flow in my veins
To the paper – or the screen
I am exported to another world only other writers understand
But I provide another world to readers
when I write.
Why do you write?
Tell me. I’d like to know.
Grat poem! It really describes all that we writers go through!
Thank you, Jo Ann. 🙂 I’m glad you like it. I bet you have gone through some of these things yourself!
Hi Lorrainne:
I wanted to share with you why I write. I write because I love to write! I don’t care about making money from my writing, I just love being able to share my stories with other people. My imagination can take me anywhere I want to go, or let me be anything I want to be. There are no lmits to the imagination! Writing makes me so happy, and takes me away to another place, where I can share my research and explore new worlds.
I completely understand now, how writing can make you feel as if you are in another world. I can be writing for hours and totally lose track of the time! One story – just one story – creates a whole bunch of different stories that spring from the first one – and it turns into a series. I have a stroy I am working on (along with a few others) that takes place in 1891 – From this story, I have been inspired to write four more, maybe five. I absolutely love what I do – I don’t care about the money, it’s all about having fun and sharing with others! – Jacqueline Varlotta
Jacqueline, each writer is different, no matter what anyone says. No two writers are alike, nor should they be. This world would be a horrible place if we were all clones of one another, and many people are storytellers, like yourself.
I’m a different type of writer, I think. I am still not sure how I would define myself, being an English teacher who loves to write her own poetry (but doesn’t read a lot of poetry) and enjoys writing with a pen on paper instead of typing using a computer!
I think it’s wonderful that you truly love writing for the sake of writing to be creative. I actually don’t consider myself a creative person most of the time. Weird, huh?
I bet you type quickly, too…
Hello again, Lorraine,
I write to share knowledge with others which I believe will help them to find meaning in their own lives and improve the quality of it. I have been a very fortunate person, in that I studied under a Master Teacher of Tibetan tradition for ten years. I have also enjoyed a lifetime of gathering spiritual knowledge.
This knowledge is not like the usual knowledge that Man teaches. It is not “dogmatic” knowledge that one is required to believe verbatim. This type of knowledge stresses the value of the individual in the universe. Did you know that the early meaning of the word “individual” was that each individual is an inseparable part of the universe? As such, the meaning of the universe in an individual one.
Anyway, I’m starting a blog to share my viewpoints, which I hope will help many people. I am also currently writing a book about a very different view of the human life cycle.
I write to share, not be dogmatic as is most religion and science. If I can help someone to feel that they are a natural and important part of the universe and assist them in uncovering the mystery of themselves, this is what brings joy to me.
Thanks for sharing that, Michael. It’s nice to learn a bit more about you and why you write.
I’m sure your blog will be a hit with people who are in that niche. Congratulations for taking the plunge into the fine world of blogging!
Good luck with your book, too. 🙂
Nice poem, Lorraine! I think there’s nothing wrong with writing for money as we all have to pay the bills and personally it’s my career. But I do think there needs to be a passion for the art form and a desire to help others to really carry a true voice in your writing that appeals to readers 🙂
Christy, I agree with you. Passion for the craft should be had. Words can be so powerful that they change someone’s life!
Thank you for commenting and adding to the post. 🙂
Enjoyed your prosaic and poetic take on the why of writing , Lorraine , encapsulating , as it did , most of the compulsions actuating writers . I , for one , feel that the function of all writing is to basically communicate with the reader , informing , edifying and entertaining him in the process . I am not sure of who my audience will be when I sit in front of the keyboard ; nonetheless I am confident of an audience out there waiting to be a receptive medium for my thoughts . Other considerations like the monetary aspect and the fame that comes with good writing are all secondary and an automatic corollary of a piece of writing that communicates beautifully…best wishes…raj
Raj, thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you enjoyed my poem. 🙂
I’m glad you brought up the issue of audiences; sometimes it is tough to know who we are writing for if the WHY of why we are writing is different from writing for an audience! Some people write strictly for an audience and know who they are beforehand. I don’t, always.
Hello there!
Thank you for this article.
I think that people have high expectations, no patience, and no strategy. And that’s why they don’t sell. A book takes time to be noticed, so many of them are released every day!
To answer your question, I write to help others. Well, I do that with my photography as well.
Cendrine, I appreciate your input! Thanks for sharing why you write.