With the start of a new year, I was recently reminded why I write. It is all I ever wanted to do. I never sought fame or fortune; instead, I considered both these things to be added bonuses.
My goal had always been to be published; that had been the dream since I was about ten years old. For years as I worked on my craft, I knew that goal was going to be difficult, but I kept working at it. When self-publishing became an option, I swallowed my fears and took up that opportunity.
Eventually, I had been sucked in to the vortex that to succeed as an indie author I “must” do x, y, and z. The marketing overtook the writing, until it got to the point I hated the whole thing, writing included. This is not why I became a writer.
In some respects, I was fortunate that my recent health issues let writing take a back seat and eventually made me realise why I started writing in the first place.
I enjoy making up stories, and I want to write what’s in my head. Writing has always been my creative outlet and is my favourite form of communication. Not only that but living in an imaginative world has always been my way of escaping the real one (which, these days, sounds more and more appealing).
I’ve accomplished the dream of becoming published, thanks to going indie, but earning a living from writing remains elusive. Perhaps it always will, but I will be doing something I enjoy.
Two years ago, I came to the realisation that I was not ready to be a full-time author. I wanted to re-join the workforce to move outside of my writing ‘cave,’ make acquaintances, and earn an income to help achieve my other life goal, which is to travel.
Becoming an indie author for me was a step up from being a hobby. It meant I took my writing seriously. I never meant to make it a business and become a small business owner. Looking at it that way and seeing the results, I suck at it anyway! Maybe I jumped into indie publishing being a bit naïve, despite looking into it beforehand, but I’ve noticed that some writers are made for this life and others not so much.
I now prefer to call my writing a ‘professional hobby.’ Either that, or I’m a part-time writer. There is nothing wrong with either one! At this stage, I’m not going to worry too much about marketing and finding my readers – and driving myself crazy in the process. I’ll be writing for myself, writing what I love to write; writing for its own sake.
I’ve come full circle. Write like nobody cares, but I do. That’s the only thing that matters!
Writers, why did you start writing? If you’re an indie author, have you started doing things your own way?
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