Beginning Friday, ten professional writers with blogs have gotten together to write the same post “Why I Became a Writer.” Please stop by any or all of their blogs to comment and find out what drives us in our favorite obsession. I’ve listed their links below. Here’s my blog on the subject.
And why DO we write?
I have many friends who wonder why I spend so much time writing. Or why I spend any time writing.
Why do we write? There are many reasons. Money. Fame. Fulfillment. Impart knowledge. Fill a void. Keep a promise. Pass on family history. Therapy. Nothing else to do. Get the truth in print. The thrill of tracking down a story. The need to write. To make someone laugh. And probably a hundred others.
Money? Non-fiction does supply many a writer with a decent salary. One can write as a reporter with a regular paycheck. One can, particularly if they have some area of expertise, make money on a non-fiction book. A good inspirational book might make the first time writer a decent return on her time.
But when we’re talking about fiction, only a few make significant money against the time and effort put into the writing. I’m sure some fiction writers start out with that in mind. Ninety-nine point nine percent don’t achieve that. While I make money writing, the hourly wage writing provides would not be worthwhile. I could make more money selling rubber bands to a trucking company.
Fame can be as elusive as money. And even more fleeting. Warhol said we all get fifteen minutes of fame. Maybe mine will come from something I write. But, I have a better chance to be highlighted on the evening news as the latest lottery winner.
The idea of passing on family history is an excellent reason. This is one reason that many people should write. Family stories and history are often appreciated only when the opportunity to preserve them has passed. The person who knew those fascinating facts didn’t write them down and now is dead. Those stories are likely lost forever.
Therapy is another good reason. I know a famous writer who got into writing for exactly this reason. It worked – on two fronts. The therapy worked and the world got a plethora of good literature.
We as writers should understand why we write and make sure that reason actually gets fulfilled as we write. If we write for therapy, we cannot let the pressure or frustrations that sometimes come in writing affect us. We must avoid those by remembering why we are writing. Frustration is not the reason. If we begin to feel pressure, we need to readjust our thinking, back off, change whatever is causing the pressure.
If we write for fame, we need to decide what constitutes “fame” for us. If it’s to be on national TV as the next great writer, we might want to include some intermediate steps along the way. Perhaps start with getting a good review in the local newspaper. Maybe an invitation to speak at the local Lions Club. Fame covers a wide range. Don’t let the only measure be the most difficult to achieve.
Money? Perhaps start on the non-fiction side. Once you’ve made some money with that phase of your career, then tackle the more elusive money of fiction.
Whatever the reason, take a good look at what is required to satisfy that reason, what milestones there are to measure your success. Think baby steps.
And from time to time, reevaluate your real reasons for writing or continuing to write. Because, foremost among the reasons for writing should be—enjoyment.
This is why I write, for the enjoyment. When I have crafted a good book, I feel immensely satisfied. A good scene makes me very happy. Even a well crafted sentence can bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. I feel good when I have written a satisfying paragraph. Writing offers many ways to enrich my life.
So, set goals which do not remove that most important reason for writing – the joy of writing
Now, check out these other writers. See what their reasons are for writing. I’m going to. It should be fun.
John Brantingham and Sunny Frazier http://johnbrantingham.blogspot.com/
Marta Chausee http://martachausee.blogspot.com/
John Daniel http://johnmdaniel.blogspot.com/.
Cora Ramos http://coraramos-cora.blogspot.com/
Melodie Campbell http://funnygirlmelodie.blogspot.com/
Lesley Diehl http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com
Jim Callan www.jamesrcallan.com/blog
Chris Swinney http://clswinney.com
John Lewis http://www.Lions-post.blogspot.com
Stephen Brayton www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com
Carole Avila http://caroleavilablog.wordpress.com/
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Thanks for the kind words. And I hope other posts will be helpful.
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You’re so right, Jim, we need to evaluate periodically why we do what we do. I think writing makes me complete. If no one ever reads what I write, I love to write for God and for me. Of course, when someone actually reads it & likes it, that’s just icing on the writer’s book.
You hit all the main reasons I write, too, Jim. I think the joy that comes from creativity is the one thing that all writers share, whether or not they writer primarily for other reasons. That thrill of finding the right word, the right phrase, or when a character leads you down a new path, is beyond description.
And thank you for having such a simple Captcha. I really struggle with those words that have letters so blurred I cannot make them out. I have given up on leaving comments on lots of blogs that use those.
Thanks for the kind remarks. And I completely agree on the Captchas. Sometimes it takes me 3 tries to get it right. Frequently, I just give up. This one is pretty simple.
Jim, I’m not on your blog list because I decided late to join the gang. See my website – http://www.eileenobser.com – home page – for my take on the subject. I agree with everything you say, especially the idea that it’s the enjoyment factor, the pleasure we get from our writing that counts so much. I’m a nonfiction writer primarily, as you know, and I have been writing about my family and friends for years (no lawsuits yet). I don’t have the talent to be a mystery writer, but hopefully I have it as an essayist and memoirist. Glad to be here on your page!
Wow, James, you gave this so much time and consideration. I feel like I had a therapy session (very successful, I may add) just reading your thoughtful response. I think you hit many nails on many heads. Thank you!
Thanks for your kind words. Part of the problem with being a writer (fiction or non-fiction) is that you do most of it alone. It does help to discuss the life with other writers. I’ve enjoyed reading the other writers take on why they write.
Only when I first started writing di I foolishly think I’d make money at it. It a good thing the sheer pleasure of writing took over!
Lesley
Amen.
Fame? Not really, but I find myself just tickled when a reader tells me I made their day. That is the best reward, in my books . Nice post.
Yeah. I like that, too
I’ve always said the most fun I’ve ever had while working is writing. You’re right. It’s so fulfilling. Every once in a while I read a sentence I’ve written and think, “Did I really write that?” Terrific post, and it sounds like you, too, really enjoy what you’re doing.
Unfortunately, usually when I say, “Did I really write that?” it’s because it’s so bad. “Did I really write that? What was I thinking?” But, occasionally, the sentence really sings and joy bubbles up in my heart.
James,
I enjoy writing too. For me it fulfills the need to “do what you love and love what you do.”
Great sentiment, Patricia.
Fulfillment. I think that’s the key for many of us, since we’re unlikely to get rich or famous. Though either would be nice. C’mon. You know it would. Enjoyed the read, Jim.
Sell a lot of books? Yeah. Famous? I’m not so sure. Seems like a lot of famous people have a miserable life. I guess I’d like a lot of name recognition so books would sell. But name recognition without physical person recognition.
Jim,
All good points. I especially relate to the joy of having a great sentence come out of careful consideration or the ‘lucky hit’ of picking the right words the first time. I hope you get that 15 minutes of fame –however you most would like it!
~Carole
I think I’d be satisfied with just 100 people lined up to get an autographed copy of my next book – which by the way, is titled A Ton of Gold. Of course, if we find a ton of gold, we can put OTP on the map, and skip off on a world trip so no one is breaking down our door.
Hey Jim, I agree with your reasons! I try to write well enough to get someone in a bad mood into a good mood. Create a smile or some laughter. Some type of emotion generated from my writing has been a goal of mine for a long time. Keep up the good work.
Generating emotion in the reader is fantastic, and a goal we all share. As I said in a booklet I wrote on writing, “No tears, no good.” The tears can be happy tears or sad tears. But touch the inner feelings of the reader.
Good answers, Jim. Fame and money are long shots. Enjoyment works every time you’re having a good time writing. If you are meant to be a writer, you’ll enjoy the process, and you’re home free!
The best reason in the world. You write because it gives you pleasure. As it should. Your writing gives me pleasure too. Keep at it!
I agree–that magnificent feeling when you have written a good scene, a good paragraph or even a good line that says exactly what you want to say. You sit back and say out loud, “Oh, that’s good!”
As Cyrano said, “When I write a line that sings, I pay myself a hundred times.”
Yep, very siimilar to what I wrote. Find your reason for writing and go for it. By the way, could you please change my link to http://www.stephenbrayton.wordpress.com. Thanks.