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| Photo credit: revbean on Flickr |
And it's a fair dream—an exciting,
if not slightly nerve-wracking one, to think of hundreds or thousands of people
reading the story that you wrote. The story that you spent years of your life
writing. The story that would not exist if you hadn't written it.
But I've seen this question asked
before, and truth be told, at the beginning of my journey as a writer, I didn't
want to answer it. I saw writers ask, "Would you keep writing if you knew
you were never going to be published?" and I thought, well I'm not
going to answer that because I am going to get published.
Well it's been years since I've
first seen that question and I'm still not published, but the question has
never really left my mind. And I think the reason I didn't want to answer it at
first was because I wasn't sure I would keep writing. Without the dream,
I thought, what was the point?
Years and many archived
manuscripts later, I think I've come to terms with the question. Because no,
there isn't any guarantee that I'm ever going to get published (traditionally,
anyway) and I've come to realize that I'm ok with that. Sure, it's still a
dream I hold on to and I truly believe that with enough patience and hard work,
any writer can see their dream realized, but there isn't ever a 100% guarantee
unless you self-publish (and even then, there's no guarantee that it'll sell).
So now when I see the question
"would you keep writing if you knew you were never going to be
published?" I think I can answer with a yes. Because no, I probably
wouldn't put as much work and time into each story as I do now, but I truly
don't believe I would stop writing altogether.
Because writing is more than just
chasing the dream: writers write to discover the story, to create new
characters and worlds and turn our experiences into words on the page that we
can read over and over again and share with others (even if, in the case of the
never-published writer, "others" is just a handful of friends and
family).
Because yes, every writer hopes to
one day get published but that's not the only reason we write (or at least, it
shouldn't be)—we write because we love it. Because there's something truly
special about translating experiences into words, about using just the right
combination of letters to create pictures and emotions in our readers.
Because a writer without words is
like a bird without wings. Because published or not, writing is what we writers
do.
Now it's your turn: Would you keep
writing if you somehow knew you would never get published?
64 comments:
Yes, we write because we need to write, because the story is in us and has to get out.
I don't know if traditional publishing will ever think I'm good enough. But I'll keep working on it.
I think I would be more fearless as a writer. I would take a risk with the story.
But I would continue writing.
I have had a tough childhood and teen years and often, my imaginary worlds were the only thing I had to keep my going. Writing is just my way of immortalising these worlds I've created over the years.
Regardless of what traditional publishing thinks, I wish you the best, Cheryl! :)
I think EVERYONE can be published these days. After all, you can always put your words into a blog. For me the only question is, would I write if no one was willing to READ my work. And that throws the responsibility exactly back where it should be: on the shoulders of the writer, don't you think?
You betcha! I even asked myself what I would do if I won the lottery...and writing was still on the list. :) I've always written something, be it only a journal entry, or a poem, or song lyrics (with a melody only in my head). I've been writing since I could put letters on paper, and don't plan on changing that anytime soon. :)
I think it's really interesting what you said about being more fearless and taking more risks with your story if you knew it wasn't going to get published. What stops you from taking those risks now?
Well yes, when you're talking about self-publishing and blogging, everyone can absolutely be published (which is why I mentioned the question nowadays mostly applies to traditional publishing). I like your take on the question, though: regardless of how you get published, it won't matter if no one wants to read your work, which certainly does put the question back on the writer.
I feel like I'm one of the few writers who has trouble keeping up with journal entries. Maybe I'll write a post about that one day. Anyway, I think it's wonderful that you write in so many different forms. One of the great things about writing is that it allows you to express yourself in many different formats. :)
I've been writing since I was a little kid. I still have journals and notebooks from elementary school with silly little stories scribbled inside. Back then I wrote for the pure joy of writing. If I knew I would never be published, I would continue to write for the pure joy of it. I don't think I would spend as much time worrying, "Could I sell this?" Maybe if I assume my stories won't be published (i.e. no readers would ever judge my writing) I will take more risks.
I've actually found that writing solely for myself and assuming no one will ever read it (even if it's not necessarily true as I do have betas...) makes it easier to to do what's necessary to make the story the best I can--including some risks and choices I might not have made had I been thinking about people reading it.
I think I'm just worried that taking too many risks will decrease my chances of getting an agent/published.
Publishers seem to be more keen to find a copycat of a successful book than to find a book that will be successful on its own.
It's all this publishing trends thing.
I would encourage you to take risks and write what you want to write regardless of publishing trends. The problem with following trends it that it takes years to publish a book (traditionally). Even if you get an agent tomorrow and a publishing contract at the end of the week, chances are your book wouldn't be published for a year or two, and by then, chances are the trends will be pretty different from what they are today.
Just my thoughts. From what I've read, many agents prefer a new fusion of ideas rather than trend-following anyway. :)
This is a tricky one to answer and I completely understand why you struggle with this question. I can't answer it, just like you couldn't some years ago.
The reason for that is that I'm always writing towards the dream of publication. And to be honest, I don't think there will ever be a moment where I realise I won't get published. Because yes, even after 500.000 rejections I will keep holding on to that dream. There's always that chance that one day you are lucky. And also, to some point, I need that chance to keep me going.
However, I don't think I would ever stop writing. Having said that, I want to be read. If no one reviews my work, it's a lot less fun. That's just the nature of writing stories, I guess.
I agree with you that I don't think there will ever be a moment of realization where I'll stop and say, "I'm never getting published." Like you, I'll always write towards that dream (which is why this question is completely hypothetical...it'd be pretty near impossible to know without a doubt that you're never going to get traditionally published). All things considered, it's not an easy question to answer and thankfully it's not one I think most writer will ever have to face (except hypothetically, of course). As long as we keep writing and working hard to improve, we all have an equal chance. :)
I can't do the journal thing, either. :)
Aha! Glad to see I'm not the only one lol.
I can say yes because I completed my first manuscript without any real consideration to whether I would publish it or not. That included learning "how" too write, along with many revisions and edits. From there it just seemed like a heck of a lot of work went into it not to try to publish it--eventually ;)
Oh, and yes, I would continue to do so, because I haven't even decided the fate for the first one, and there's another in beta reading and three more drafts about halfway done ;)
I look forward to your post on the topic. :)
Sounds like you've been very busy--how exciting! It's definitely a lot of work even before you try to get published, but all worth it, I think. :)
Since I started writing at such a young age, I didn't even fully understand what "getting published" meant. I just liked to tell stories because I liked to read stories. I never even thought about having other people read them. Now that I'm older, I do think about getting published a lot, but I still feel safe to say that I would still write even if my dream never came true. Blood, sweat, tears-- all for the love of writing.(;
Definitely agree with that last sentence of yours. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Elle!
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
That's what worries me. I'm writing ac action/paranormal novel set in a dystopian future and I worry that it won't be 'marketable' in a few years.
I know. But when I come up with a wacky idea, I usually think it's too wacky to be taken seriously.
I would continue writing but it would look different and feel different. Because right now it's the combination of writing and striving for goals and the whole process.
I actually think that I won't get published. I hope that someday I will, but I don't really think I will, which might be strange. I know that the reason I write right now is because it gets me out of my regular life and makes me happy and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Being published would be a bonus. I might feel different when I do have more time to write, but now, I take every moment that I am able to dedicate to writing as a blessing in itself. Great post.
Definitely agree with your last sentence. While I haven't published my novel (yet), I still get brief highs whenever an article, poem or short story is picked up. I've kept this writing dream alive throughout a 31-year teaching career when I didn't have the time or energy to write. In retirement, writing is my second act.
Like you, yes, I'd continue writing, but perhaps with a little less tenacity.
Truth be told this question scares the beejesus out of me. But I agree. I would continue to write because writing, for me, is like breathing. I might hold my breath for awhile but I ALWAYS take that next breath.
Among the reasons I don't write, I don't believe I could tell appealing stories, and I'm
certain I don't have the thick skin to listen to criticism and grow
from it. I'm reminded, though, of the dawn of my interest in the
craft, back in my school days. A boy moved to town
when I was ten. He wrote all the time, but kept a lid on it for
years. No one pressed to hear what he'd written—Robbie was angry,
and a little intimidating, even to adults—and he did not volunteer
anything until we were in our teens. He had notebooks full of
stories, and would sometimes ask one of his classmates for an
opinion. At first, I made the mistake of telling Robbie he
was good, and asking if he meant to pursue writing as a career. His
mouth opened, and I was treated to the harshest stream of expletives
and insults this side of Full Metal Jacket. Bumblewood hick that I
am, I'd failed to realize that writers are all charlatans and
deceivers, and the ones who get published are guilty of connivance
with the pro-status-quo, plutocratic, robber-barons of the publishing
industry. Good thing Robbie was there to sort me out.
When Robbie passed away, a mutual
friend got his writing notebooks—two boxes full of them—and
started reading through the stories. There was far more than Robbie
had ever shared with anyone.
I shall not repeat the mistake of
saying that Robbie was good, and we shall honor his wishes by keeping
his writing out of circulation. Yet, I realize that keeping people
away was the theme of his life, and now, too late to do anything
about it, I wonder if he lashed out at writers and publishers just to beat them to the punch.
If you care enough about your
stories write them down, revise them, and improve them, please find a way to
share them with someone, anonymously if you must. Don't whisper your
tales to the void, and hide behind hatred or apathy to spare
yourself the pain of rejection. There's a chance you can really move
people.
In a word, yes. In a bigger word, absolutely. Even if we never get published, we always have one reader, ourselves. That is the guy I write for and he, I, am quite entertained and no one ever has to pay me for that. I am going to be published one day though. So are you :)
Absolutely. I want to be published but I have loved writing long before self publishing was even an option. I would do it no matter what though having a bunch of unfinished projects can be annoying.
I could see that--especially the feel different part. I think most of us are striving for that dream while writing, so without it it would be a different experience.
I think you have a wonderful attitude on the subject, Syndey. One of the best ways to be happy as a writer is to enjoy every step of the process, which is something you seem to have really embraced. Thanks for sharing!
How wonderful, Joanne! I'd say you've certainly proved your dedication to the craft and I wish you the best!
Fair enough. Thanks for sharing your response, Jeff!
It's definitely a scary question, so I understand your reaction to it. I love that last sentence though, Angie. That's a really wonderful way of putting it.
Wow. What a powerful story, Colin, thank you. I agree entirely--one of the best parts about writing a story is sharing it with others. It really takes on a whole new life when you (the author) aren't the only one who knows about it.
Yes. I will keep writing even if I knew I would never be published in my lifetime. And that's just it. As storytellers, we all want to leave a mark in this world. For me, as long as there's the chance of my story touching one person, before or AFTER I die, then I will continue to write.
Also, writing is just something I do, like running. It's too late for me to ever dream of running a 4-minute mile anymore, but I still keep at it.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gene! You're absolutely right that we always have one reader--and for us, just the experience of writing and discovering is worth everything else. :)
I take it you're the variety of writer that works on more than one project at once, then? :)
You know, I'm actually glad you brought this up. I think I'm going to write a post about it because my answer is way too long to fit into this comment box...but in short, I think it's more important for us to write what we want to write rather than write what we think might fit the market.
"For me, as long as there's the chance of my story touching one person, before or AFTER I die, then I will continue to write."
I think that's a wonderful goal to pursue, Jason. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and I wish you the best with both your writing and your running (whatever your mile time is, I'm sure it's still infinitely better than mine ^_^).
I can genuinely answer this question with a yes. If anything, self-publishing has corrupted the writing process for me; something about introducing the potential for income into the process sours it. Probably because it's difficult if not impossible to make a living that way (and definitely impossible with only two books out!). But I would still write even without the money as a carrot, just probably not as often because my mind would pretty quickly convince me it was a pointless exercise simply because there was no way to make a living off of it (I come from...pragmatic...stock).
Firstly, I don't blame you for your pragmatism--I tend to often think that way myself, which is probably why I came to the similar conclusion that yes, I'd continue to write, but I might not put as much time and hard work into it.
Secondly, I'm not sure why Disqus insisted on calling you something other than your name...perhaps it already had you logged in from something else? Not sure. Very strange. Regardless, thanks for sharing your thoughts, Andrew!
Yes. I know that would certainly keep writing even if I my work were never published because writing isn't just something I do but a part of who I am. However publication (in some format) is still very important because I mainly write because I want to connect with and motivate people. As a creative non-fiction writer publication doesn't necessarily mean a book deal. For me it also means being published in magazines and having a blog that people actually read. Still, I do hope to one day have a book published as well, but I will keep writing even if that never happens.
Yes, definitely. I still like the stories I write. I would love to be published to share them with readers but I write because I love writing, storytelling and creating.
Yes, definitely. I still like the stories I write. I would love to be published to share them with readers but I write because I love writing, storytelling and creating.
I asked myself this question early on, when I still fully intended to traditionally publish (didn't even consider self-publishing). I even asked my husband this question: "What if after 5 years of trying, I'm still not published? What if I waste all this time and effort?" He replied, "Well, you could guarantee you're not published in 5 years by stopping now." That made me angry - not at him, but a disembodied anger of sorts, aimed at the universe. Writing was a full-on, addictive passion, and the mere idea of stopping - for any reason - made me angry.
So I forged ahead.
One small-press publication later, the question suddenly changed. Because, of course, I HAD been published, albeit not the brass-ring lotto-win of a big six publisher. But even that small experience with publishing taught me that publishing was just a vehicle to the thing I really wanted: to write and share my work with readers. Which made my subsequent decision to self-publish easier (still difficult, but for other reasons): because that was the best way to connect with readers.
The question then became, "Would I keep writing stories, even if (I self-published and) no one wanted to read them?" The answer was quick and obvious: YES. I would keep writing better stories, until people DID want to read them.
(Of course, my experience with self-publishing has been that a LOT of people want to read my stories, which is all kinds of awesome.)
It's important to ask the right question, if you want to get an answer that moves you forward.
I certainly understand the importance of publishing (what writer doesn't want to share their work?) but it's encouraging to see just how many writers have come together here and agreed that published or not, the writing will continue. :)
That's wonderful, Annie (and it seems many of us agree with you). Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
That's a wonderful story, Susan. Glad to see you've had such a great experience with self-publishing--thanks for sharing!
I love what your husband said and can see why it motivated you. He definitely had a good point! I'll have to remember that one. :)
It certainly can seem like an addiction at times (except unlike most addictions this one has positive results). Thanks for sharing your story, Jane. I wish you the best with your writing!
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