Brenda wrote:

Quote:

Well, if a writer, Ann, in this case, says she writes for her own pleasure, I take that to mean she’s not particularly interested in having other people read her books.

That's a misperception of what I wrote. In the same sentence I also said that "...some of us are serious writers who learn and study..." I'm back to my original question: Does one have to negate the other? Can one not take pleasure in the work one does? I don't think I've ever said anywhere that I didn't want my writing to be read. Your original comment seemed to imply that a serious writer always had the goal of "signing with a major publisher." Of course we all want that, but there are many serious, hard-working writers who will never reach that goal. So far as I know, it's a goal that most of us who post here have not yet reached.

I write for my own pleasure in the same sense that I teach for my own pleasure. That doesn't mean I do not take teaching seriously. It simply means that I take pleasure in my work.

To answer my own question, for me, one does not negate the other.

I do not consider my writing a hobby, either, but I do take pleasure in it. I cannot imagine what it would be like to work at a job one did not take pleasure in doing.

Ann

Ann, I didn’t imply anything - I SAID, quote:

“--the writers I associate with are all serious writers, studying and learning the craft with the goal of signing with a major publisher. Most already have.”


And I followed that up by saying again in another reply:

“--I was referring to the writers I knew. Signing with the majors was their only goal.”

I do not know you other than your postings on different forums, so I wasn’t referring to you.

I’m glad you take pleasure in your writing. I do in mine as well, and let me tell you, the authors published with the majors are very proud of their books.

Shall I start picking apart everything you write on this board? Get off your podium. You're not a school teacher here.

I would hate to analyze "why I write." I would hate for someone else to attempt telling me why I write. I just do it. Sometimes it's to secure a grant; to get publicity; to communicate with a friend; to remove ache from my soul by putting it in a journal. There are many, many more reasons.

Would I like to have a book on the top ten selling list? Definitely! Is that a goal of mine? Definitely! Do I want my novels and short stories published? Definitely! Do I want them read? Definitely! Do I also write for my own pleasure? Of course. I write journals and diaries and single line blips that cross my mind and demand writing. I send emails. I write blogs. I post to this forum.

Why do I write these things? Possibly to simply connect with other people, to validate thoughts, to receive critiques, to offer help and receive help. You see, the reasons why are so many that I can't write them all. It reminds me of another post where one of our collegues collects character names in a growing list. My list of "why" is infinite.

Does it really matter? Does it matter to you? Do you care why I write or even about what I write? Do you care who I am and what shapes my character? Do you care about me and my goals and aspirations? I hope that in my struggle to express cogent thoughts and read yours that we are better people, enriched by what we share with each other and by our struggles to find our place in a competitive, demanding profession. My accountant says it's a hobby if I don't make any money; a business if I do. How dare he! That means every struggling business that doesn't make a profit is a hobby. I don't think so.

I am fortunate that I have sold books and short stories and had successful experiences with bookstores and promotion. I also had some real disappointments and lessons. It's all part of life for me, the agonies and ecstasies of existence and how my choices take me to the next challenge.

While it truly doesn't matter to me personally what you or anyone else writes, I know from your posts you're working hard to achieve your goals, DK. When I read about writers striving for a particular goal, I root for them and rejoice when they achieve something and feel sad when they fail.

And I so agree with you, especially your last paragraph. I, too, have had some devastating failures, but I've also had some success. So here's to you and all of us who work toward our goals.

Brenda,

This might sound like a mean statement, but what if you don't make it? It sounds like you feel some pressure to be like the writers you know and I believe you are as good writer as they are. But what if it never happens? What if on any certain day that your manuscript crosses a publisher's desk, that publisher is in a bad mood and just sets it aside?

I believe that many of the authors here could have been published with the majors. Abe's, Ann's, Betty's, and Dick's are high quality, but it might not have happened because publishers weren't looking for books about Beirut, Audie Murphy, animal stories, or another book about World War II.

And if it doesn't happen, it will not mean your work is any less valuable, less well-written.

I was talking with some friends today about the day a doctor said I might be having twins, and how I said to him that couldn't be true because that wasn't part of my life plan. I love those two people.

I write because I love to, feel compulsion, found a meaningful activity in retirement, and need something to research and improve myself and learn.

Believe me, Brenda, we will all cheer when you get that publishing contract, but if it doesn't happen it doesn't mean you are any less of a writer.

I dream as you. I don't have a book as good as yours yet, and may never have one, but I write from my heart and I know a few people have said what I've written has made a difference.

I realize the importance of the money part. I've made money in my life, and that check that's coming for the rights I sold will be used to good advantage.

My husband plays harmonica and I write. Neither of us will make the big time, but we love what we do. My husband practices many hours each day. Perhaps the right word is vocation.

I believe deep in my heart, that some time I could write something really good from my soul. Just like having two babies instead of one, it could happen, and I know I need to let it happen, not stand in my own way.

Carol

Carol,

To some extent, the issue is defined for us: "professional" implies that the individual earns money by writing. We've all read or heard stories about writers who are overlooked or whose books somehow never sell very well. Cormac McCarthy was such a writer before Oprah picked a book for her show--before then, he was described by the relatively few who followed him as one of the best writers in America that nobody had ever heard of.

I hope he also takes pleasure in his work; I believe Carlos Ruiz Zafon takes pleasure in his work. Those who enjoy what they do seem to do a better job at it--or at least have happier lives.

"Not making it," as you call it doesn't imply lack of talent. Years ago, I wrote a letter to Writer's Digest (which they never published) complaining about the fact that over a period of many issues, every single writer they profiled who had become a successful professional "made it" in part through the unexpected intervention of a lucky break. Sure, they paid their dues and when the break came, they were ready.

What bothered me was the fact that the rest of the magazine's articles showed how to write, how to find markets, how to write queries, how to get published. Yet, Writer's Digest wasn't able to show anyone who succeeded by following those rules--not that people don't. Their profiles always showed that somebody who knew somebody happened across the writer or one of his/her manuscripts and helped them get past the slush pile.

So to answer your question, not making it doesn't mean not doing good work. That's my two cents.

Malcolm