Do you write for riches, or because you enjoy it?

I had a kind exchange of comments with Benjamin Solah today, which is why I'm writing this post. I wonder how many people are writing just to reach the pot 'o gold at the end of the rainbow?

Here's an excerpt from a great article by Stephen Coonts, on this subject:

"Don't begin writing with the goal of getting rich. You will be deluding yourself, wasting your time. A few years ago the Writers Guild did a survey and discovered that the average published writer in America made less that $7,000 a year at the craft, hardly enough to quit the day job. Indeed, the Guild said at the time that only about 900 people in America made their living solely from writing."

Kind of sobering, isn't it? Of course, that statistic is a few years old. Am I saying that I don't want to become rich with this craft? Of course not! But I found myself really giving it some thought today. I am writing, because (in order of importance):

1. I absolutely enjoy it!
2. Because i'm not really good at it (especially grammar), and that is all the motivation I need to become better.
3. I want to see my name in print before I die (morbid and melodramatic, but true).
4. Because i'm a Jack of all trades. I want to be very proficient at one specific thing, even if it drives me crazy.
5. To give me a way to communicate my thoughts, feelings, and ideas with other people. I don't have much of a chance to do this in my personal life.

Yes, I would be lying if I said I could care less about money. Being that I want to trek the globe one day, then it is something I would love to have more of. It is, however, not my driving factor.

I hope you enjoyed the article by Stephen Coonts, and learned a little more about me.

Comments

[1ConfusedWriter]

Mike,

Wow, I'm having trouble keeping up with you! ;)

Actually, it's good to hear some deep perspectives on this craft. Honestly, if you were doing well in NYC, I would suggest that you stick to it (what you did and ignore those who tried to influence you) as much as possible. Who knows where that might lead, right?

I read a couple of your posts, interesting stuff. By the way, thanks for the mention (about Writesville) in one of your posts.

Anyway, I've got a load of writing to do tonight.

Best of luck!

Vic

[Mike]

Vic,

First of all, thanks for the link. For a two day old blog, I need all hte help I can get. That said, it seems commenting on your posts is a daily routine I'm becoming quite fond of.

So, let the prose begin. When in Middle School, I was flunking nearly every subject, especially English. Tests showed that I should be a genius, but the public school system was convinced I was retarded. Well, we had a writing competition, and for some crazy reason, I entered. I almost got suspended for wripping off someone elses work. My mother had to come to my school and verify that she watched me write it. In the end, I won the competition and was quickly placed in special reading/writing classes more tailored to my type of learning.

I had finally found a way to communicate with the world around me, and since that time, in order to have a serious conversation where I truly relate my emotions, I have to write a letter.

I've lost entire boxes of writing from my youth. I've misplaced even more poems. That in mind, I still have a bookshelf with bent shelves from holding my work...most of which has only been seen by close friends.

For awhile, 2 years ago, I was gaining recognition as a writer and performance poet. I had several features lined up in the area, as well as NYC. Every time I performed, I'd be invited to perform at a few other places. My writing started to become tailored to the needs of the venue and started being influenced by those around me, so I stopped.

I write because if I don't...I'm like an overflowing toilet. The reason for ym latest binge is so my son can see me writing and see my writing so that if he wants to explore that avenue, he will be encouraged to do so from an early age...something I wasn't given.

Still...somewhere in side..I hope someone of consequence will find my writings and say "Why haven't you been published!?"

If I were to stroll a Barnes and Nobles and see three of my works on the shelf, I would die happy...even if I didn't have a penny for a haircut.

Today, on my blog, I'm going to try to re-write that first story from memory.