For me, often, writing is the only thing I can control in my life (it feels!) Obviously, I can't control what happens after a project is complete, but that is another story...
Completing a sentence, a paragraph, a chapter, the complete novel, I get the same sense of satisfaction. Only me/we, the writer(s) can accomplish those goals. No one else. We are completely reliant on ourselves. There is a lot to be said for that!
Thanks for that frank, honest article Katherine...
I find my mental health is better when I write. Not good necessarily, but better. It's a place to escape to - the characters and their worlds. Also, it can be a sense of achievement and purpose, however small and personal, when I don't feel am achieving in other parts of life.
Much of this you allude to and discuss in this article, with studies and research to back it up.
You also refer to the low likelihood of many of us being trad published, which is a grim truth. As an older writer, I for one, am tired of waiting. Always bridesmaid etc... Thence, am looking seriously into indie/self publ. But of course that's uber -competitive too, in that there are hundred of thousands, possibly millions of books out there!
Terrible old cliche I know, but for some of us it's just a question of keep on keeping on...
Thank you for recent articles. Interesting to read re trad published author like you reflecting on being 'in the trenches'. Unlike some of the overly subscription obsessed (read money) fluff out there, these articles feel important and need to be written.
I'm deep in the waters of questioning my "why" in my publishing journey. This article led me to another question. You wrote in the beginning that you're "talking here about writing that’s intended for publication." Then, later you noted, you are "...protecting my relationship with my writing by keeping it separate from the business of publishing." How do we do that? How do we write with the intention of publishing, yet somehow keep the business of publishing separate? I'm trying to do this and it's harder than I expected.
It is hard! For me separating the two means that I have to set aside questions like ‘will this ever get published?’ or ‘what if publishers hate this?’ while I’m writing and just focus on story and craft. Of course, I consider things like commercial appeal, and I’m aware of the market, what works for readers etc., but I can’t let those worries get in the way during the creative process. I have to kick them down the road. The part of writing that’s for me alone - and the most fulfilling - is the actual writing part, and that’s all about craft. Obsessing over the business end just blocks the creativity and takes the fun out of it.
Really excellent. I’ve read a great deal about how to improve your chances of publication - but don’t remember anything else about why we write, in a positive sort of way. For me, these days, it’s certainly not about seeking traditional publication: I write because a), as you say, it’s an itch that has to be scratched, and b) because I love the way the actual act of writing is so completely absorbing, and I love how I feel when I’ve written something I’m happy with. Thank you for such a positive, thoughtful piece!
Thanks Sue. I'm the same - I'm never happier or more fulfilled than when I've had a good writing day. Understanding our why is such an important part of the picture in terms of keeping us grounded and motivated to keep going. It underpins everything. ❤️
Not sure , but I first tried about twenty years ago. I was fortunate enough to connect with continuity publishers and I have written over seventy books to date. Now I'm
branching out into new genres and trying different avenues besides the query-submit cycle. Publishing has always been tough, but it seems To be facing some real challenges now, with the decline of certain genres, shuttered imprints etc. One of my genres, classic cozy mysteries, are definitely shifting more toward indie.
Great article! I write because I must! I notice when I’m not creating, I feel oppressed and confined. Writing relieves my stress and improves my mood. Most of all, I do it because I know I am called to do it.
I feel like it's important to remember that whatever the ups and downs, it will always be just me in a room with my laptop. That's the essential thing and it never changes. So it's really all about my relationship to the work. Obviously I still want all the goodies! But there are parts of myself I can only access when writing, and that makes it worth doing.
Great post.
For me, often, writing is the only thing I can control in my life (it feels!) Obviously, I can't control what happens after a project is complete, but that is another story...
Completing a sentence, a paragraph, a chapter, the complete novel, I get the same sense of satisfaction. Only me/we, the writer(s) can accomplish those goals. No one else. We are completely reliant on ourselves. There is a lot to be said for that!
You are so right! You’re the only one who can write what you will write. The only person in the whole world. That makes it kind of magical!
"I know I’m most content when I’ve had a good writing day."
"So now my aim is to be the best writer I can be right now."
Double, triple 'Amen', Katherine!
Thanks for that frank, honest article Katherine...
I find my mental health is better when I write. Not good necessarily, but better. It's a place to escape to - the characters and their worlds. Also, it can be a sense of achievement and purpose, however small and personal, when I don't feel am achieving in other parts of life.
Much of this you allude to and discuss in this article, with studies and research to back it up.
You also refer to the low likelihood of many of us being trad published, which is a grim truth. As an older writer, I for one, am tired of waiting. Always bridesmaid etc... Thence, am looking seriously into indie/self publ. But of course that's uber -competitive too, in that there are hundred of thousands, possibly millions of books out there!
Terrible old cliche I know, but for some of us it's just a question of keep on keeping on...
Thank you for recent articles. Interesting to read re trad published author like you reflecting on being 'in the trenches'. Unlike some of the overly subscription obsessed (read money) fluff out there, these articles feel important and need to be written.
Please carry on with them...
Best...
Thank you Patrick!
I'm deep in the waters of questioning my "why" in my publishing journey. This article led me to another question. You wrote in the beginning that you're "talking here about writing that’s intended for publication." Then, later you noted, you are "...protecting my relationship with my writing by keeping it separate from the business of publishing." How do we do that? How do we write with the intention of publishing, yet somehow keep the business of publishing separate? I'm trying to do this and it's harder than I expected.
It is hard! For me separating the two means that I have to set aside questions like ‘will this ever get published?’ or ‘what if publishers hate this?’ while I’m writing and just focus on story and craft. Of course, I consider things like commercial appeal, and I’m aware of the market, what works for readers etc., but I can’t let those worries get in the way during the creative process. I have to kick them down the road. The part of writing that’s for me alone - and the most fulfilling - is the actual writing part, and that’s all about craft. Obsessing over the business end just blocks the creativity and takes the fun out of it.
Really excellent. I’ve read a great deal about how to improve your chances of publication - but don’t remember anything else about why we write, in a positive sort of way. For me, these days, it’s certainly not about seeking traditional publication: I write because a), as you say, it’s an itch that has to be scratched, and b) because I love the way the actual act of writing is so completely absorbing, and I love how I feel when I’ve written something I’m happy with. Thank you for such a positive, thoughtful piece!
Thanks Sue. I'm the same - I'm never happier or more fulfilled than when I've had a good writing day. Understanding our why is such an important part of the picture in terms of keeping us grounded and motivated to keep going. It underpins everything. ❤️
Not sure , but I first tried about twenty years ago. I was fortunate enough to connect with continuity publishers and I have written over seventy books to date. Now I'm
branching out into new genres and trying different avenues besides the query-submit cycle. Publishing has always been tough, but it seems To be facing some real challenges now, with the decline of certain genres, shuttered imprints etc. One of my genres, classic cozy mysteries, are definitely shifting more toward indie.
70 books! Wow! I think diversification can only be a good thing. Good to challenge ourselves too.
Great article! I write because I must! I notice when I’m not creating, I feel oppressed and confined. Writing relieves my stress and improves my mood. Most of all, I do it because I know I am called to do it.
100% agree!
I feel like it's important to remember that whatever the ups and downs, it will always be just me in a room with my laptop. That's the essential thing and it never changes. So it's really all about my relationship to the work. Obviously I still want all the goodies! But there are parts of myself I can only access when writing, and that makes it worth doing.
Exactly!
Such a great thought provoking article -thank you!
I can ‘not write’ but I’m always mildly unhappy if I don’t 🤷🏻♀️😁