Why write? Mmmmmm….that is a good question. Over the years I have heard many writers offer advice about writing, but one of the best was Brian Keene, the author of Ghoul and other horrific tales. Brian kept it simple and stated that he had to write. He was just miserable without writing being a part of his life. Another writer who considers writing his passion is James Patterson. The first lesson in his Master Class is that you have to LOVE it, the entire process of writing. And if you don’t, find something else.
But so many people who dream of writing the next bestseller are miserable writing. Why?
This summer I read a few books that changed my thinking about writing. The first was THANK YOU FOR BEING LATE by Thomas Friedman. Friedman examines the intersection of the rapid increase of technology, climate change, and the global economy. The anecdotes Friedman shared made me realize that there is an audience for your writing. You just need to find it. The internet is virtually ubiquitous. Anyone on Earth with a cell phone could be reading your work, maybe not in book form, but definitely as an E-Text. Digital publishing is thriving. Just look at Book Bub. All you need is a good story, nice cover art, some social media savvy, and a desire to learn how to use technology to publish your work.
Okay, okay…you might be groaning because you realize I am writing about self-publishing, but Friedman also claims that the old constructs that governed business are showing cracks, and the water is spilling through, or should I say ideas. New business models are emerging.
I’ve read a few articles that suggest that publishers are perusing the ranks of self-published authors on Amazon, looking for the next “big thing”, and offering standard contracts. So what have you got to lose? Do the math?. $.99 a copy for 150 copies is still better than letting the manuscript rot in your desk’s drawer with no audience.
I don’t think a writer has much to lose if they haven’t landed that traditional contract.
The other book that made me think about writing was DRIVE by Daniel Pink. Pink studies the progression from Motivation 1.0 to Motivation 3.0 and claims that in our modern day society, an individual needs purpose, autonomy, and mastery at work. He shared a study where critics evaluated works of art that were both commissioned and not commissioned by a group of artists. The critics did not know which pieces were commissioned or not, and consistently chose those that were not commissioned as having more artistic merit. The artists indicated that they felt more freedom to create when they were not exposed to carrot and the stick extrinsic motives. Their love of art and their intrinsic motivation drove them to commit to the process and give the time. Art exists for art’s sake. And writers are artists in my mind.
So what is motivating you? Write for the love of it. Period. If you’re writing for the cash because you’ve got bills to pay, well, your creativity might enchain your muse. The stress of everyday life can effect your ability to create. In other words, I’m not going to quit my J.O.B. because it gives me the freedom to write without a carrot or stick.
However, I also need to give myself time to write, time when I’m not obsessed with cleaning the house, putting Munchkin to bed, or guilt over not spending enough time with DH. But I’m working on that. 🙂 I’ll save that for another post.
So next time you dream you’re standing up to receive an award for your book, or seeing it’s title on the New York Times Best Seller List, think about what really motivates you and work on freeing your muse.
Happy Writing!
JMonell
Meandering Through Midlife 