I added another rule to the rules of engagement and that is to be honest with yourself about why you write.
I write to be published - and I want to be paid for it.
I know a lot of people that say that they just write for themselves and that is absoloutly fine. Every now and then I write poetry for myself. But when it comes to prose be it fact or fiction I do it to be published. Its not a grand scheme to get rich because God knows I'd be wasting my time there but more far a personal satisfaction that someone has chosen to publish what I have written and validates that by paying me for it.
As a teenager I had two carrer aspirations. One was to be a journalist and the second was to write a book or maybe even two or three or four - you get the idea. Maybe this is just my way of living the dream.
So rule number 2 - be honest with yourself.
8 comments:
I want my writing to be read by other people (poor buggers) and that's always been my goal. I feel a bit presumptious admitting it though!
I think that's very sensible idea, Colette! I never thought of being a journalist but have oft wanted to be a writer. Got there with the first, waiting for the 2nd!
Very true, Colette. I've always written first & foremost because I enjoy it. But being published is the ultimate goal, and makes you feel validated and appreciated as a writer. I'd still write, even if I knew I wasn't ever going to be published again, though!
Writing for yourself can be so wonderful, allowing you to discover parts of yourself you didn't realise were there before. But there is something about other people reading your work and feeling (nearly) as passionate about it as you do. And well, of course if one of those passionate admirers is willing to pay you for it then what's not to like about that?
Really like your idea of coming up with the rules of engagement, Colette.
Dx
Yes I write to be published too. I set my goals out on my writer's CV blog page and I'm still waiting to achieve them all LOL! :O)
Oh I don't know Karen - I've read some of your stuff and survived.
FP - From what I know you've pretty much managed both.
I think you have to enjoy it Olivia otherwise it's just a job be it part time or full time. I know that there's a good chance that the books I write may never see the light of day and I would still write those but I will continue to live in hope.
David - glad you like the rules - it's just a bit of fun really but it helps to focus my mind. I agree that writing for yourself can be good for taking you to places you've never been before and that's what my ventures at poetry are all about. It is great when someone else likes what you've written though.
Madeleine - I think setting goals is a great idea.
At first I wrote only because I loved it - and I still *love it* even if it makes me all growl-y at times.
But now I write because I love it and a desire to see my work in print. But it's not about the money for me (I've probably been earning about 40p an hour for the past 4 years) I just love the thought of people reading my words.
It can never be about the money Amanda. That is just the representation that it was "worth" something to an editor. I know that I'm not explaining myself very well but I think you will all know what I'm trying to say. I know that I am never going to earn a fortune from this (I think 40p an hour would be a very optimistic estimate of what I've earned from it) but it is just a payment for a service that I have provided.
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