In a recent post, multi-published author and writing instructor Jerry Jenkins challenged this all-too-common sentiment:
Don’t ever apologize for wanting to be published. You’d be amazed at how often I hear from would-be writers who say they just want to write for the sake of writing. “I don’t care if it gets published.” Then why not just talk?
I’m with Jerry on this. I’ve never quite understood why someone would labor over a story or memoir, only to have it remain unread. Yes, I understand the writing process can be therapeutic. But it’s writing, and writing is meant to be read.
As Dean Koontz has taught, the purpose of writing is communication, and if what we write is not read, that purpose is not fulfilled.
It’s like preaching to an armchair or performing before a dried-up creek bed. What purpose does it serve?
The responses to this range from sanctimony to defeatism. Some say, “God’s called me to write, and I’m just obeying Him.” Well, last I checked, He also wants you to multiply your talents, not bury them (Matt. 25:14-30). And I can’t think of a better way to “multiply” the story God’s given you than by trying to publish it. Others intone, “No one wants to read my stuff. It’s just my own personal doodlings.” Then why waste all that time writing it? Or as Jerry Jenkins asks, “Why not just talk?”
Stories are meant to be told. But without listeners, they are little more than sunken treasure collecting barnacles in some oceanic trench. So I ask, Why write if not to be published?
I agree. When I first started writing, I had so much fun doing it that I was one of those “Oh, I don’t care if anyone reads this, I’m just entertaining myself”. But there came a point where I stepped back at what I’d written and thought, “I REALLY want people to read this.” If a story is just sitting on your shelf, it’s only half complete. A story’s never truly complete until someone’s read it (and not just your mom :p).
Greg, this is a great line: “If a story is just sitting on your shelf, it’s only half complete.”
Good Morning, Mike. I always love your posts and very often find myself relating to your thoughts, but on this topic I feel differently than you and Jerry. Nothing is wrong with having the goal of publication in mind, but all too often aspiring authors – and even published ones – churn out work that would be much better if they were writing it just for the love of writing. When it’s just the author and the keyboard, I say go for the passion. Write for the love of writing first.
Write because a story must be told, even if it’s never going to be published. Does the work of every artist end up in a gallery? And what about drama? Certainly there are talented actors and actresses in Community Theater all across the country who aren’t seeking to be in a Broadway play, in a movie, or even to get paid. Practicing ones art for art’s sake can allow one to produce some wonderful works.
Ultimately, I’m sure there isn’t just one way to look at this. It depends on what motivates the writer, but I’m partial to the idea of being motivated first by the desire to write. I think a person stands a better chance at writing a great story if they write the story first because it must be told. Would a writer be willing to finish that novel if they knew it would never be published? A true writer, in my mind, would write it anyway.
Tina, this is such a great comment. I’m not sure it negates the point, as much as it adds to it. “I’m partial to the idea of being motivated first by the desire to write.” Yes! Pure passion for the story will keep us going a lot longer than will publishing success, which can be fickle, hit or miss. Absolutely. I’m not sure this means a writer shouldn’t want to be published, but that their motivation should lie deeper than just getting published. Tina, thanks so much for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it!
I guess we may have to quibble over the meaning of the word “publish.”
I write to be read – and currently that’s on my blog, and currently it’s enough. If we consider blogging “published,” then I’m right there with you. Yes, I write to be read.
Quibble accepted. And thanks for pressing “Publish” as often as you do. 😉
I second Mike’s comment, but say thanks for pressing “Publish” as often as you do to both Rachelle AND Mike.
Totally agree about the definition of “published.” Many (many) writers are not talented enough writers to be publishing books…but they can certainly have an audience with a blog!
Nobody wants to be a tree falling in the forest. The internet has made it so no one has to.
And I still think the #1 goal of all writers should be to GET BETTER AT IT.
I think I initially dream up stories and write first drafts for me – my way of escaping and seeing if the story works. I have fun with it.
However, I edit to be published. If someone told me my stories would never be published, I would only write first drafts.
I want to get published, but as I realize that I may need to write a whole lot before I can get published, that means that some of what I write won’t get published. If what I write doesn’t get published I’m good with that, as long as after I’m published (and know more about writing in a publishable form) I can go back and re-write it until it gets published.
Do I want what I write to not be published? No, but I can accept it–temporarily.
The creative process doesn’t spring from a single motivation. I’ve written plenty of things simply because the story, the poem, the scene was burning in my mind. As a glass artist, I’ve made panels – personal pieces – for the same reason. They are for sale, but I recognize they might not sell at all, or for some time. I’m fine with that. None of that means I’m unprofessional.
Contrary, when I execute a traditional design for a client – one that I might not be especially partial to – it doesn’t mean I’m some soulless shill prostituting my artistic integrity. I’m a professional. I do my job and I do it well.
The middle ground gets tricky. I’m not about to start mass-producing butterfly sun-catchers or kittens with irises just to make a buck. It’s not me. In the same way, I’m not about to whip out an Apple Butter and Bonnet Romance in an effort to cosy up to CBA.
I write/do glass work because I am inspired. I strive to improve my skills in both arenas to express those inspirations more subtly, more effectively. Competing in the marketplace, I recognize the need to channel my creativity into marketable product.
Of course I want to get paid/published. Of course I want to execute my work at a level of excellence and professional quality, but to reduce the motivation to profit is as foolish as sanctifying immaturity in the name of good intentions. Both are a serious compromise of the artist’s call.
Well, even though I’ve yet to be published (I’m 16 and trying still…need to polish my craft first) :P, I think that any writer who says ehh I don’t want publication is not being honest with themselves.
Any writer at some point is like: Ahhh, I want to be published soo bad.
Great article Mr. Duran, though, I liked the argument of multiplying your talents.
Thanks,
Jonas
I will be totally honest here. I started writing because I wanted to see *my name* on the spine of a book. I wanted to be published, in the traditional sense. In a book, written solely by me, and getting royalties.
That said, it’s not the royalties that were my main motivation. What I wanted, and what I still want. above everything else is for people to look at *my* book and get the same feeling *I* get when I look at A Wrinkle in Time, or Harry Potter, or Inkheart. And that has zero chance of happening if the manuscript is sitting in a drawer.
I write to be read. If I wasn’t getting published, I’d probably stop writing. I know that sounds kind of defeatist or something, but it’s true. I don’t write specifically for some market–I write what draws me, what inspires me–but fortunately I can say that nearly every complete short story of mine has found a market, even if it’s not a paying one. What keeps me going is knowing people are out there reading my stories, and now reading my novel; but if they weren’t Id likely not continue.
Oddly, I still fully understand people writing for the love of it, though. I am that way with my art, as Patrick said about his. He expressed it perfectly. For some reason, maybe because I was an artist from very early on and only started writing a few years ago, I can draw for the sole purpose of drawing and not worry if anyone ever sees it. Maybe because I was used to doing much of my art as assignments in school, knowing they’d never be for sale anywhere, anytime. And that has carried over.
But my writing was started for a specific purpose. Maybe if it wasn’t selling I’d shift my focus back to drawing even more. Or blogging. I would *have* to have a creative outlet somewhere, but to me writing doesn’t feel “finished” (as Greg said) if there is no one reading it.
Kat, thanks for the comment. I also wanted to congratulate on the release of your new book, Finding Angel.
Thanks, Mike! 😀
I started writing because I wanted to see *my name* on the spine of a book.
Yep, yep, and yep. In 8th grade, this happened. Already a voracious reader, I just read a book, put it down, and said to myself: “I want to DO THIS someday.”
Then, my senior year, I shared my “novel” (written in a spiral Mead notebook) to my English teacher. She gave me very insightful, positive but honest critique, then left me with this note: “Do not let this slide. You MUST get published, someday.”
So this became my driving force. And, I’ll admit also: in the end, even giving a nod to artistic integrity and all that, I want people to read and dig my stuff. No doubt. And that shapes the way I write.
And I’ve done okay for myself. Seen some things get out there, and I’m happy where I am – though not content. I’m not done, yet.
HOWEVER – and I believe I’ve mentioned this before – I’ve experienced an almost REVERSE transformation the past two years. With the way the market is changing dramatically, with publishers like Leisure and Realms radically changing their paradigms….the best and ONLY reason to write is BECAUSE I love it, because I HAVE TO.
Not bragging, but I get up every morning at 3 AM to write. Have for the past 5 years. And – publishing regardless – if I didn’t love writing for writing itself, didn’t love making up stories…why get up? Why push myself so hard? So, if anything, the recent market tribulations have really clarified WHY I write.
Huh?
Sorry, I wasn’t reading.*
*Thought experiment to test quality of thesis. Your point holds up.
Good one, Dan.
Hm. I’ve actually written things with no intention of publishing them or letting anyone else read them.
Sometimes, it’s to give myself a place to vent and/or rant—though I have to be careful with this one, because it also makes me stew over whatever I’m upset about.
Sometimes, I write to figure out my perspective on an issue and to make sure I can adequately explain and defend it. If not, then I have a theme for my to-read list.
Sometimes, I write to remind myself of something I need to remember, or even to work out notes in stream-of-consciousness. I have some odd RTF files on my computer, including a page detailing how I feel after absentmindedly gulping a beer in about 10 minutes.
Once I wrote a vignette for a friend of mine, because she was having a hard time with something and I used that vignette to show her that I not only understood, but I’d been in the same boat.
Carradee, those are all legitimate reasons for writing! I do the same things–but they are individual situations. I think some things ARE written for personal reasons, and you can even go to meetings and critique groups in order to make sure you are writing to the best of your ability for something that you are doing just for you. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.
But there are a lot of writers out there who go through all the motions of someone who is trying to get published and then proclaim that it’s not actually important to them to see that manuscript published. I think that is what Mike is really addressing here. And imho, some writers *say* they don’t care about being published because they are actually trying to not get their hopes up.
Ah. If that’s the topic of discussion, I agree—that doesn’t make sense.
I’m published but I’m not sure I agree with this. Why would so many people keep diaries if there wasn’t another motivation for writing? Surely not all diarists want their words to be published or even read by anyone else? I quite often write just for the fun of it, or to practice my craft, and have no intention of sending it off anywhere.
To be honest, the stuff you have to do these days (ie. social net-working and other “marketing”) is enough to drive me to just write for myself!
Diaries would be an obvious exception, Toni. But unless you plan on being buried with yours, even that could be read by others. Thanks for commenting!
On the back of my first published book I wrote: “I write to purge and entertain equally”
I say this because when I purge something, its something that has to come out. But anyone’s ultimate goal(if they’re honest), is to be published. I like for people to hold my words-it’s like a baby. The baby takes nine months of “baking” in the belly, and once its finished its term..it’s supposed to come out. You will see it,the doctors, the world- everyone.
It was not just for you.
Jesus wasn’t born just for Himself and his parents, he was/is here for the world.
My words are not meant just to purge but to entertain and enlighten.
Erica
Ha! I love the “purge / entertain” quote, Erica. Although it is a little scary to realize that one person’s purging, is another one’s entertainment.
Gee, thanks, I feel so much better about my career now.
LOL, Jill. 😉
I adore you. You know that, right? 😉
I am finally beginning to actually like writing, but quite often it’s just very hard work. I’ve published over 30 books, but if people stop reading my stuff, I will probaly stop writing and start making games or movies.
I find that for myself in my own little world, it is very easy to psych myself out.
So I’ve stopped writing to publish and started writing to tell stories. If those stories should one day be published that’s all to the good.
So why are you this week issuing so many confrontational diktats on other writers anyway? Have you been going to meetings that aren’t going well or something?
Gee, I hadn’t thought of it as issuing “confrontational diktats,” Katherine. Perceptive of you. No special reason, though. Just stuff on my mind. But maybe I SHOULD try something a little lighter once in while, huh?
Thanks for the confirmation. For years I wrote but was too scared to share, after reluctantly sharing with a few friends and family I branched out and have received validation that I do have some talent.
While I have yet to be published, I am trusting in God to multiply the talent he has given me. I will keep on going until He tells me to stop.
I’ve written poetry/short stories since I was a teen, soley for myself.
However, when I put the time and effort it takes into writing/polishing/querying/proposing/synopsing a novel, you’d better believe I want to see it published in the end. As a homeschooling mom, with all the myriad responsibilities that entails, the only thing that justifies all this time usage will be to see a book in print.
Every time I think of giving up, God lets me know I shouldn’t. I know that I can’t settle for anything but the best (I also knew this when I chose a husband, and God brought the best along). If you know you are supposed to use your time writing, aim high. At this point in my life, I can finally appreciate my “strong-willed child” syndrome, since it keeps me fighting when others might give up. And in this publishing climate, it’s crucial to “just keep swimming,” till you can’t anymore.
I completely relate! For years I wrote poetry, mainly for myself, but now that I have written a novel and am working on the query/synopsis/etc I want to see it in print!
When I feel like giving up, God reminds me that he has called me to this and he will see me through. I know God hears our prayers and he will honor our hard work if we “just keep swimming” (cute movie).
Hang in there, I know it can get difficult to find time to devote to writing when you are raising children (I only have one and he is a handful), but it will be worth it!!!
I agree that one should write for publication. I think we’ve all heard the sayings: The writing in and of itself is the reward; I write for the art of it; etc. I believe that all writers want to be read.
I want to write to be read. But I don’t write as much as I think I want to. Does that mean I don’t really want to be read? 🙂
Well said! To me, being called to write means that someone will see it, and the Lord can use it in some way. I don’t believe it’s arrogant to think this way, just confident in one’s calling. Thanks so much for the encouragement.
I at once agree and disagree. I write. I write to clarify my own mind; to better understand the world around me, and for the pure pleasure of that creative act. Most of what I write never sees the light of day. This is because I relish the freedom in writing what I want, how I want, and about what subjects I want. It’s like keeping a journal, only by way of fiction; through fiction, I iron out what I know about how the world works, and I find chinks in my own understanding. Sometimes I find things that I never knew that I knew. I discover how to observe people, how to describe what things people do, and come to understand why I do the things that I do. That’s why I write.
On the other hand, I do enjoy sharing some of the things I write and find great pleasure in the consonance I receive from the lives of other people. While writing is primarily a selfish, ego-driven and completely narcissistic endeavor for me, understanding other people has always been the beating heart that drives me forward. So I can see and appreciate both sides of the argument equally.
I used to write for myself but that’s how I found myself on the outs with whatever the fuck I’m supposed to be saying, and to whatever audience is left. I wrote something real, something that is true, and the circumstances were extraordinary and it could be that I just can’t sell myself well to these fucking goons but man I’m tired of pitching my novel to these fucking scumbags who say pass unless I “happen to have any teen vampire fiction to submit”, like I just have some laying on the coffee table in case of emergency…no one even wants to read my shit? Damn… I’m glad Bukowski died before he saw the written word die at the hands of glittery fucking creatures of the night and the ass-ramming editors and agents trying to make a quick buck like Ipad pimps. FUCK THE WORLD, LITERATURE DIED WITH TWILIGHT, BURN IN HELL GLITTERY VAMPIRES!!!!