Does It Sell?

Or do you feel like a loser?

I think it is hard to write for money. It needs to be the writing is for its own sake, a message that must come out by that writer. Then, maybe it will make money, depending on whether it’s a book, blog post, or newsletter. Sure, strategies might help. Maybe. But usually, we are learning of those from someone who managed to sell their words — and they can’t really know why that happened. They had the magic touch, were in the right place at the right time, or tapped into a topic that dropped hearts into pockets.

Why is a mystery.

Yet we persevere with effort and angst. Until we hit the jackpot and then ride into the happy heavens of making it as a writer — financially.

And is that the goal? For some, yes. But is it what originally brought them to the act of writing? Probably not. Writing is not an easy task unless it comes naturally, and there is a call for expressing oneself. In other words, no one is telling themselves to become a writer — out of nowhere — because it’s a great way to make money. It is usually a result of being compelled. Similarly to when a person picks up a paint brush or instrument of their liking and starts painting or playing. That is different than it being introduced to them as, “Hey, you might want to start painting because I hear it’s a great way to get rich!”

Not.

Writing lies in that in-between land of art and business. I believe it is one of the few art forms — if not the only — that suggests the possibility of a lucrative career. And that is mostly due to authors we know of who made it in the markets, or the online writing trend where the sky is the limit with how-to strategies to become rich. I suspect the latter comes from those who did make it — and don’t really know why — trying to sell their techniques for more money.

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Writers generally begin writing because they need to communicate something — even if only to themselves in a journal. Then, for some, the pressure sets in to sell. That can also be excitement at the prospect of being an independent entrepreneur, working from home, making their own hours. Which can be a fantastic lifestyle, if it works. Nevertheless, the reason we think it might work is because we’ve seen others do it. Or at least brag about having succeeded at it.

But if it doesn’t work, we are left feeling like a loser. Forgetting why we began writing, and spinning our wheels to now make it as a business person. Unfortunately, this gets tied in with our identification as a writer. That is the part I do not appreciate because it denigrates the art and artist.

I am not saying we shouldn’t try to make money from writing — I’ve been at that for years. However, I have not lost my memory of why I write and its separateness from the need to feed myself.

My advice is: until you have made it with writing and money, feed yourself in other ways — preferably that allow you to keep writing — but don’t blur the two issues. There is never a reason to merge the desire for writing with the desire for money. They are distinct categories. Maybe the latter drives the former (once you are a writer), whereas if you lived in a society that paid you straight up for your art creations, making money would be moot. And I get that might not be as motivating for people who thrive on the pressure to make it financially in their art.

But many writers/artists are not wired that way.

So, in this crazy culture of online blogging and book-selling platforms, don’t forget to allow the art (and its creation) to remain the precious product it is — the gem. The treasure at the center. I get it. For many folks, money from writing signifies a greater accomplishment than the writing alone — which is a shame. But understandable these days.

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Thank you for reading.

With gratitude,

Jill