The Eternal Battle: Write For Passion Or Money?
If you don't earn enough money from writing, is it worth it?
As writers, we’ll always find ourselves in a see-saw.
Do we write for money or just for the pure pleasure of writing? I go through those rounds in my mind more often than not.
Writing gives me a lot. It gives me confidence, clarity, healing, inspiration, etc., which is enough. But I admit I sometimes get torn because I want to make money through writing when I see other writers acing it.
Blogging communities do no justice, either. They tell their followers not to make it a hobby, as though having a hobby is terrible. They want to motivate writers to take their writing seriously and turn it into a business. It is a great concept.
However, I’m not convinced that writing or hobbies are insignificant if they don’t earn enough money. Pursuing hobbies has many benefits besides monetary gain. If people make money through other means, say a job, I don’t see what’s wrong with writing for passion.
So when I’m in this dilemma, I remember a few things:
Be your guru.
In 2020, I joined a prestigious blogging community, and it was through them that I finally started publishing articles. Before that, my first article remained unpublished for six months. I kept editing it, and it never felt ready to be published. Through them, I learned that progress is better than perfection.
However, the downside is that I began to hate writing when I followed all the gurus’ advice. It started feeling like a huge to-do list. It made me realize that we must do things on our terms.
Hobbies as a lifesaver
In the blogging community, I was fortunate to meet a woman who loved to knit. She told us she wanted to start a blog to teach people how to knit. She tried to motivate people who loved knitting but had given up on it. She told us about how she went through a mental breakdown and how knitting saved her. Her joy for knitting kept her sane and grounded, and it was something she could look forward to.
This woman’s story taught me that our hobbies should be for us. Something that we do for ourselves. It can also be a story of inspiration to others.
It made me realize that things we love and enjoy have benefits other than money. It can be a stress buster, help you gain confidence and clarity, and make you more interesting. Don’t let the lure of cash steal that from you.
My husband believes that we must keep money and passion separate.
My husband loves music and singing. He plays the guitar whenever he gets the chance. He’s neither part of a band nor wants to join one. Music, singing, and playing the guitar are for him, not for others.
He’ll be the loudest voice at a party, pub, or gathering. He’s the life of every party. He also loves golf the same way. He loves sports because he is an outdoor person, and he finds it an excellent way to mingle, bond, meet other people, and be active.
He doesn’t earn money in any of these activities. Nor does he intend to ever. He gets excellent contacts through interactions in these two areas, but not cash in the traditional sense. He’s probably got a bottle of wine for a competition he’s won or a trophy. He got lots of trophies and medals for competitions he’s played.
He believes we shouldn’t mix what we’re passionate about or love with money. He says it’ll be a chore if he starts playing or singing for money. He believes that’s a thing that surely kills the love. He believes that we should keep money and passion separate.
So, for those who enjoy their craft but don’t earn money through it, don’t let the naysayers get to you. Continue to write, even if you make a few cents and have a few followers. Let them be your little trophies or wine bottles that you’ve won.
Does that mean I have given up the hope of earning money off my writing?
No.
I secretly believe that writers should weald money from their art, but it should be done on their terms, not based on some guru’s blueprint.
It means that I’m not going to make it my primary focus. I will enjoy whatever it offers me and squeeze it till the last drop. If I make any money out of it, I’ll celebrate it. If it doesn’t, I’ll still enjoy the process and see where the journey takes me.
What are your thoughts?
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