Thank you!

Dale, growing readership is always one reader at a time, of course, but your focus on excellence and your ability to write what you want will probably take you farther that any push to quickly create.
I am a fan of many writers and will read anything they write, no matter how quickly they produce books. But I can tell, and I firmly believe I'm only one of millions, who can tell when a book has been written quickly to meet a deadline, whether from a publisher or for money. And, I often lose interest in that writer when it happens.
I can't blame people for trying to make a living from writing -- we are woefully and criminally underpaid and underappreciated! -- but writing just for money can destroy our soul.
Thanks for the comment!

This is an insightful, and for me at least, very timely post. I just finished the draft of my latest mystery and am letting it sit for a time while I work on something else, to give me some creative distance, and I’ve been thinking about what I want to write next.

I write fiction because I love story and want to create my own, idiosyncratic and compelling reads. I want to draw the reader into an engrossing story that takes them on fun, engaging, and emotional ride. While I’ve had sold short stories to various online magazines, I’m a self-published novelist since January 2017, and have spent my time on the “more content, faster,” hamster wheel.

When I retired from my library carer in December 2019, I stayed on that wheel for a bit longer, but eventually shifted into focusing on the writing and giving each novel the respect it was due.

That said, there was still that voice in the back of my head, urging me to write and publish faster (“a book a year isn’t fast enough. You’ll never build up a readership!” etc). Considering why I write reframes the whole process. I’m blessed in that I just need for my publishing to pay for itself—I don’t need the income to keep a roof over my head, so I can focus on crafting compelling novels which engross readers, and grow a readership one reader at a time.

Hi, Ellen!

I do the same thing a lot -- writing articles and blogs and making presentations on things that are interesting to me. I'd like to think it amuses people too.

So, we write for others -- whether it's a good thing or not. But what are wrong reasons to write? I'm not asking for your story ideas. Just curious as to "wrong" reasons.

Thanks for the post!

You make a lot of valid points.

I write because I have stories to tell that I think people will be amused by or interested in the content.

This post reminded me of a story I pondered writing that involves a writer who writes for the wrong reason. Thanks for triggering that memory!

Jennifer, I agree with your ideas, so I won't judge you. LOL!! Sorry. Now I'll be serious.

Money is important for many writers. So is the prestige of being able to say "I'm published." But I believe the bottom line is that we need to write for ourselves, not for what other people think.

So, do we have a responsibility to write something that uplifts humanity? Or is it JUST for us? Hmm. Sounds like another blog.

Thanks for commenting!

I very much enjoy your message here.

I read and write for 'messages'. When I read a 'good message' (good for me, and good not necessarily meaning 'good'), I feel sated with the story. If one reader finds the message or 'a' message in my writing, I consider myself a successful writer.

If I can learn or teach through writing, I become wealthy. Money does not matter to me, but as I continue to venture among other writers, there is a nagging part of me that tells me to I should think about the money side of writing. And I suppose I should, so long as it does not compromise my tru motive to write.

"It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others. If you succeed in judging yourself rightly, then you are indeed [one] of true wisdom." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince