Why Do You write?

What motivates you? Do you like the idea of fame or fortune?
Do you think you will attain either one?
How many books will you write?
Does it matter to you whether your books sell well or not?
Just curious as usual.

My answer is:

I thought the first would be the last.
I expect neither fame or fortune.
I have written two books.
Sales are not the most important thing to me.
Writing must be contagious.

To stay sane.



Ann

Ann,

You are too funny!

It must work--at least for you.

alice wrote:

I expect neither fame or fortune.

That's a relief.

Shelagh wrote:

alice wrote:

I expect neither fame or fortune.

That's a relief.

I will reivse that to: I don't' expect fame or fortune--I demand it.

My reputation proceeds me. I never did respond to demands.

Good!

I write because I am. It's in my blood. It's my hobby. Some people collect spoons or paint, I write. I used to think I was a freak of nature until I met author Brandon Sanderson, who thinks the exact same way.

Fame or fortune would be awesome. I'd love either. Mostly fortune. I'm still young. I think it's possible.

I have been writing since I was thirteen and I have something like a hundred novels finish. Like I said, it's my hobby. I used to be much faster a writer but then I got married and had a family so my pace slowed down. But now with the kids gone, I can write more once again.

Since I write all the time, I generally don't worry about the publishing prospects of my work. Every now and then I'll set something aside that might be good and work to revise and polish it. Show it to a few friends then I'll begin shopping it around.

Sales are not something I worry about. My publisher, Virtual Tales, has a whole marketing and sales department. Let them worry about sales. I'll just keep on writing.

Zizban,

Your kids left home early. What name do you publish under?

I can't find you at Virtual Tales.

What makes you think my kids left home early?

You can't find me at Virtual Tales because my book isn't out yet. Check my sig. It's coming out sometime this year.

I just got an editor and she is doing her thing with it.

Zizban,

Because you are so young. I meant no offense.

Old enough to have a 22 year old

I wrote my books because I saw niches I could capitalize on. The production process on this last one has been so difficult, though, that it has killed any desire to ever do it again. I had to sit on my hands to not send an expletive-filled email to the production manager a couple days ago.

Quote :

Old enough to have a 22 year old

More virtual tales, huh?

No, LC, I think his wife has a twenty-two-year-old duaghter. Chris's step-daughter.

As the song goes: "I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free..."

I write because I'm inspired. I write because I'm me.

(On a more serious note.)

I have written about things I felt would be helpful to others. Or, others encouraged me to write about
things they felt would be important for others to read.

I think Alice’s book is an inspiration to others who suffer or suffered from her illness.

I think D.K’s books are informative about sailing, about love and life’s problems in general.
They are also entertaining. Her writing comes through as being non-fiction.

I think Don Stephen’s books are informative and entertaining. The capability, stamina and endurance of
those in conflict or facing danger are awesome. In addition, he proves himself a good writer. His books are full of action.

I think Carol’s books should be listed as historical fiction. They are also informative and entertaining. I’m waiting for her book to be published on the Cuban Missile crisis. I read the manuscript and it is powerful with non-fiction drama.

I have read most of the books by my fellow authors.
I have not found a “bad” book among them, except for some bad editing (or none) and I place that blame on the publisher. My first book was not edited and when it is re-published, the errors will be gone. I have made reviews about books of other authors on this forum and my comments will be found there.

I cannot write unless I’m inspired. To sit down and feel I’ve got to write a certain amount of words each day is not me. Writing can be hard work. When I’m inspired, my fingers don’t move fast enough to keep pace with my thoughts. I’ve
learned to just keep typing and worry about the mistakes later. It is more difficult to re-capture the moment, the thoughts, than to capture grammatical/typing mistakes. I have learned to rely on a professional editor to help catch those things.

Anyway, that’s how I feel about writing. I’m an avid reader. There are so many potentially good books to read that I can’t keep up. My eyes are killing me and this week I’ll have an operation. I’m not looking forward to the procedure, but rather a good result that will allow me to continue to read. I can’t imagine not being able to read.

I’m thankful that I can see to read and that I have so many good author friends who have provided me with reading enjoyment.

Shelagh wrote:

No, LC, I think his wife has a twenty-two-year-old duaghter. Chris's step-daughter.

Nope, not her. She's 21. I have a 22 year old daughter.

Abe

Best wishes on your operation. We are all pulling for you.

You are a real inspiration and motivator. Thanks.

LC wrote:

I wrote my books because I saw niches I could capitalize on. The production process on this last one has been so difficult, though, that it has killed any desire to ever do it again. I had to sit on my hands to not send an expletive-filled email to the production manager a couple days ago.

I am so sorry.

I write because I have always written; I do not remember a time before I was writing and enjoying how words fit together to tell a story, even a simple one. Writing has given me a career. It connected me with loved ones far away. It gave me the education I sought. It opened new ways to think and challenges me every day. Yes, I had visions of some of my stories in movie scripts, right on down to the actors and actresses playing the parts. Reality has dimmed those films, but not the imagination.

Thanks!

We are so lucky to have you here, DK.

Shelagh wrote:

No, LC, I think his wife has a twenty-two-year-old duaghter. Chris's step-daughter.

I was a 41 year old (that's the age posted on his profile) with a 22 year old.

Now I'm a 45 with a 26 year old who has a five year old and a two year old.

JoElle,

You are young. Thanks for dropping by.

What motivates you?
I wouldn't say anything motivates me to write. I just write because the story is there to be told. The characters, dialogue, and adventure/romance just happen. As far back as I can remember I've always imagined characters and stories.


Do you like the idea of fame or fortune?
I am working on being able to make a living from the novel writing. But I wouldn't really want fame. I like my privacy too much. I don't really need fortune, though I wouldn't mind comfortable.

Do you think you will attain either one?
I believe I can achieve what I want. So, yes, I think I will achieve comfortable.


How many books will you write?
So far I've written six. And I have five WIPs. The story ideas haven't slowed down. It takes me about a year to a year and a half to complete a novel and have it ready for submission.

Does it matter to you whether your books sell well or not?
I write because I enjoy putting my stories to paper. But I want to share them. People who read them enjoy them and that is what matters most. But I would like more people to read them, because I like the idea of people enjoying the adventures/romances I've written. Storytellers tell their stories for entertainment. It's what they do. I'd like for them to sell well for the sake of sharing the story.

JoElle
I like your reasoning. Makes sense and describes who you are.