The Price You Pay to Write
By TomAustin
@TomAustin (18)
United States
September 11, 2009 8:33pm CST
Anyone who has seriously considered the profession of writing, as I am, has most likely considered the fact that it takes a great toll out of anything that would happen to you in the future. I have had people in my life, people who were earnestly trying to help me, do their best to discourage me from being a professional writer. Their reasoning was that I would starve and always be poor. I was even told that a person needs to be as famous as Stephen King in order to make a living as a professional writer while not having to work some other job like accounting or retail.
With me, I'd shrivel if I tried doing those for the rest of my life. I'm currently unemployed, due to reasons other than simply wanting to write, so I do have the time right now, but in order to make a living at it, I know that I need to be able to write full time so I can have to edit and actually make it nice.
As I am right now, I am struggling to forget the discouragement I received in the past so that I can move on and actually do what I believe I was made for. The times when I do not write are the times when I do not really feel like I am living. I could write and never get published, but where's the fun in that? Why should I be satisfied with simply letting my creation sit there and do nothing? That would be like building a car and keeping it in the driveway to say that you built it.
For me, writing is not just a "hobby", as I have been told I should consider it. It's a way of life. It is the purpose in my life that helps define me as a person. I am a writer, that is what I am. I cannot escape it; I have tried. Is there anyone else who feels the same way about writing? Am I alone here? Am I mad or insane? What is the price you would pay to write?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
12 Sep 09
Hi Tom, I think those friends of yours are not readers or they simply forget to use their brains when they discourage you.
The school textbooks are written by someone. The articles in newspapers are written by someone. The non-fiction, including recipes are selling like hotcakes. The websites of many big and small companies have products info which are written by someone.
So many people make a living from writings, except that they do not put their names into the articles they produce.
For many freelance writers on the Internet, the flow of passive income increases from a few cents to a few hundred dollars as the number of articles increase. There are some writers in AC making closer to $2,000 in passive income. The active upfront payment will make up for the rest of the income from writing.
@TomAustin (18)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Mostly, I've been trying to do fiction writing, though I have had some interest in recipe books, especially one idea I have. The way I see the kind of writing you're talking about is that it's something that could pay the bills, though it's not really the kind of writing I want to do. It's still writing, and that's something, something that's taken from me, as I am the one writing it. With me, I have stories to tell that I need to get out.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
12 Sep 09
Hi Tom, i suggest you sign up for lulu.com. You can look at the fictions for sale and take a look at the preview panes.
You can join the forum there and network with the fiction writers there. They can offer better advice on publishing matters, and marketing tactics. Some writers prefer to self-publish in hardcopy and ebook format, then they do their own marketing. They learn to write press releases and whatever is necessary to sell the books.
@snowy22315 (182017)
• United States
12 Sep 09
I think wriitng is something that some people are born to do. I think if it is in your blood you will derinitely want to be doing it, and hopefully you can find some support sites that will allow you to be sucessful. I think you will continue to write whther you are paid or not.
@TomAustin (18)
• United States
12 Sep 09
Thank you. I have found quite a few support sites, but I'm also very wary of message boards, since I have also found many sites where the trolls ran rampant. Sometimes, the administrators don't even do anything. New writers were sometimes mocked for their inexperience, and the experienced writers seemed to have this attitude that they were so good at what they did and didn't have to worry about anything.
Other support sites may have good people, but not enough activity to make it worthwhile. What I'm doing is, instead of trying to find the sites online, trying to find other writers in my area. I have some friends who also write, and with whom I'm working on an audio play series. Finding personal contact with other writers is key to me.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
12 Sep 09
I think my mentality on this is like a struggling actor. A lot of successful actors and actresses are working rounds as waiters, waitresses before they become successful. If you have talent, you have to create opportunities for yourself to be discovered. Writing is the same..you have to submit your work to publishing houses and stuff like that. But there needs to be a portfolio first.
Before the golden opportunity arises, one has to work and make the money, it's like a responsibility to oneself. So this is my take on it..
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
12 Sep 09
i am a creative person, and i need to express myself in some way, whether creative writing, photography or graphic design. i used all my creative skills to write, edit, and design the cover of my novel, then self-publish it on lulu site. i am also trying write online articles and promote my articles worldwide. i am just going for it to see how far i get.
just do it. you can also work a regular job temporarily until your writing becomes full time, and then quit your regular job.
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
15 Sep 09
Writing is a hobby for me though it has helped me in my management career. Being able to set up presentations and reports, to be creative, to design programs and newsletters has really helped me a great deal.
