There can sometimes be a sense, among both writers and non-writers, that being paid is what makes writing somehow legitimate.
I often see this cropping up in discussions about partners or family members who don't "get" writing, with people saying things like, "But once I start selling books / sign a contract / start making money from my blog, they'll understand..."
Other times, well-meaning fellow writers suggest that to get loved ones on board, you should explain that your novel (/blog / etc) is part of a business and that while the money may not be forthcoming immediately, that's what you're working towards.
While I think it's perfectly reasonable to make money writing – after all, I do so, every day! – I also don't think that money is what makes your writing "count" as a worthwhile activity.
Getting paid for your work certainly suggests it's of good quality (no-one pays for awful writing). But you might still write something hugely worthwhile without making a lot of money from it.
Some types of writing, too, aren't really designed or intended to make money – but they can still be very much worth spending time on. Perhaps you want to write a detailed family history to pass down to your grandchildren and great grandchildren: it's never going to have mass appeal, but to your descendants, it might be the most treasured book they ever possess.
Money Doesn't Confer Meaning
We do lots of highly meaningful, important things in life that we don't get paid for.
Raising children is a prime example: I don't think anyone would say that this is unimportant work, and I think all parents would agree it's probably some of the hardest work they've ever done!
I believe that all writing "counts" – that the impulse to create is important and can bring great meaning to your life, even if you do something else for money and spend time on your writing around that.
I also believe that putting time into learning and practising the craft of writing is real, important work – even if you're not making money (and even if you'll never make money).
I know it can be hard to see it this way. You may have a lot of ambitions tied up in your writing: I know I do. And that's perfectly okay: it's fine to want to make money. But don't feel that, if you aren't making money, you shouldn't be writing at all.
If you're struggling because your spouse, partner, parents, or other family members just don't understand why you want to write (or, worse, think your writing is a waste of time) then you have my sympathy – that is a very hard position to be in.
I'm going to be sending out a blog post in a couple of weeks about how to get support from the people around you (and how to cope when they're not supportive) and I'd love to include your tips and thoughts.
Just reply to this email and tell me a little bit about the people in your life and how they help you (or not...) with your writing. It'd be great, too, if you could let me know (a) if you're willing to be quoted and (b) if it's OK for me to use your first name alongside the quote.
Whatever you're writing this week, I hope you can enjoy it, and set aside (at least during your writing time itself) any worries about making money. As writers, we all started out writing from a pure love of words or stories, and I think it's important sometimes to remind ourselves that it is worthwhile simply to write.
If you'd like more of my thoughts on this, you might like to check out my recent guest post, "Why Your Writing Matters—Even if You’re Not Making Any Money from It", on C.S. Lakin's wonderful blog:
