Writing

Writing for Money? Writing for Publishing?

July 18, 2011
Would you write only for the sake of money — or only for making more money? I’m sure you are thinking, I’m a writer, I write because I love what I do, I can’t think of a day when I don’t want to do what I love.  I love blogging, and social media, and being around people, and talking about my book.  It’s not about the money, it’s about passion! I’m passionate about this!
Would you write a piece for the sake of getting something out there only to publish a poorly written manuscript, with no editing done? Again, I’m sure you are thinking of course not! I give it my best each time I sit at the keyboard and work on my writing.  I self-edit and I always find my mistakes. Never would I publish less than my best, because if people saw less they wouldn’t read my blogs!
The thought might occur to some people because they have worked long and hard on their writing and now after so many years they feel that they need something, anything, say money or the feeling of having something published to keep moving forward with their writing careers.  It’s not about passion anymore it’s about just getting it out there.
Would you fall into this trap? You might say no, but if you look at more closely at “these others” you might realize you have something in common with them: you want your dream realized.  You have to write to be published, but you have to continue to publish to write.  It’s a paradox, but it’s one each writer faces no matter where they go.  You want to be able to hold your head up high and say with some pride you have something to share with people.  You can soar with the best of them.  Besides, author “X” (insert whomever you want in regards to big name author) publishes a book a year why can’t I? (Author X usually has a website stating they are working on book ‘c’ just before ‘a’ is about to be published, they are always writing)
the gap speech
The gap, and how to bridge it

You are normal. Wanting to be compensated for you work with money and writing with the goal of being published is normal- if you said you were writing because you want some good wishes, you aren’t seeing yourself as a professional writer. If you have a desire to continue your writing you will need to think of all aspects of the business you are in.

Writing for money is a good thing, and focusing on improving your writing from where you were helps you as a writer.  Money will come to the writer who is willing to make sacrifices in their lives.  Sacrifices do not mean taking much needed time away from commitments you have said you will do, rather how you balance your time and what you choose to sacrifice is important.

Writers start somewhere.

Writers choose to sacrifice extras to publish, but they also choose to work on several pieces of the puzzle at once to make it better.

Writers understand that everything is important.  The true writer knows to balance money and time.

Blogging is a piece of writing, some 500 words a day on a blog.  It can be used as a temporary platform to make your writing grow.  To build you up and to motivate you to write smarter.

In the end, it is all up to you to choose.  Writing for money should not fall short of writing for excellence.

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One Comment

  • Marlena Cassidy
    July 18, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    I was accused by my college writing club that writing romances was selling out – writing for profit instead of prestige. My argument was that romances were my passion and what I liked writing.

    If you can capitalize on your talent and your passion then I say go for it! But if you don't like what you're writing, or you feel as though you're not doing your best, then you need to take a step back and look at the big picture and reevaluate what you're doing and where you're going.