Basics: Why Write?

Now that I’ve got my big beginning out of the way I thought I’d turned my focus back to the basics and that basic question – Why write?

There are many reason people write – for themselves, for fun, to entertain others, to tell a story (by that I mean there’s a story the writer believe needs to be written or can’t stop themselves from writing), to make money, to get published, to get famous. Then the question becomes why do you write? It might be for one of these reasons, it might be for a few or it might be all, it might be different from story to story.

So what does this mean for you and for your relationship the world at large?

If you’re writing to only get famous or for the money, then you might as well stop now. There are easier ways to get famous and get rich. Get yourself on a reality TV show, kill someone, marry rich and then make a reality TV show about you. Writing will require way more work then you really going to want to put into it.

If you're writing to get published, there's nothing wrong with that per say, but be aware that getting publish isn't easy and if you aren't passionate about what you are writing you aren't likely to get published (or worse you do and the your stuck writing books you don't like).

If you’re writing to entertain others. Entertaining people is great fun but remember if you’re not enjoying yourself it will show in your writing. And it could very well ruin the work. The same goes for writing to get published and to get money.

If you’re writing to tell a story insisting to be written. This is great! These are often the best works we write, with the most potential and the most life. This means it also likely have publishing potential. However that doesn’t mean your first draft is publishable. It means that if it ever sees print it could be worth its cover price or more.

If you're writing to have fun, awesome! Writing for fun is great practice or just a fun way to pass the time. However these works may or may not be publishable. But if you’re just a hobby writer then I wouldn’t be to concern about that. Just be aware if you decide that you want to try to get your work published you’re entering into a whole different ball game.

If you’re writing for yourself, good. You should always be writing something that speaks to you on some level (it doesn't have to be a deep one). However the same advice above still applies. Just because your having fun or getting something you need out of the writing process, doesn't mean your writing publishable work.

Now that you know why you’re writing what does this mean for you as a reader of this blog?

That depends on you. Do you want to improve yourself as a writer and improve your writing? Then this is the place for you. I can’t promise I have all the answers, I’m far from a published author myself, but I do believe I know something of the craft of writing. And while I’m still growing as a writer and have a lot left to learn I believe what I do know is worth sharing. You always have the choice to take or leave any advice or thoughts on a subject I have.