“Writing is the only profession where no one considers you ridiculous if you earn no money.”
I will preface this post by saying that there is certainly, in my view, nothing wrong with wanting to make money from writing. That would be a hypocritical thing to say, since I write for a living.
However, I write about things that interest me, that I’m passionate about – thoughts, ideas, issues and concerns that I want to share with others, raise awareness about… and, ultimately, engage in discourse.
I do not write a book just to satisfy a market trend or to capitalize on a subject that I would not normally even consider, just to make a quick buck.
Trends are here today, and gone tomorrow.
It’s really, really important to remember that. Writers, please heed this advice. Trendy books eventually fizzle out. They do not live in perpetuity. Their final resting place lies in a dusty old box, stored in some obscure warehouse.
Make every post, every article, every book you write… a labor of love. Whether you write as a hobby, part-time on the side, or 24/7 (like me) – write something that fuels your adrenaline.
If you find yourself writing for hours on end – oblivious to all the sights and sounds around you, with a cup of coffee that has been cold for at least three hours – you’re probably writing for the right reasons.
Recently, I read an article (can’t remember where, though) that said:
“Write the story that gives you insomnia.”
That’s when you know that your book will have staying power. And, once you’ve written it, perhaps you will catch up on your sleep!
Image: Sandra Gligorijevic/Stock
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