My hopes and dreams have just been smashed……
Just found this article and it does have some good (sniff, sniff) reasons why I should not or do not need to write a book. Ms. Penelope Trunk…… dream killer!
What are your thoughts?
Is “it” worth it?
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The article had a lot of vaild points, especially that a book won’t save you. I think I should be writing a book, because I know God told me to. That in itself is all the reason I need. Keep praying Diane!
That article is pretty accurate–especially the making money part. My hubby and I laugh about that, but he knows writing makes me happy. And for me, that’s what it’s all about.
Why are you letting something that you enjoy be dashed away? God put this in your heart for a reason even if it is to reach only one person. Don’t give up on your dreams!
That was incredibly interesting! Still, I feel confident I’m on the right path. Thanks, Diane! I’ve re-tweeted the link.
Feeling the love here and some smackdown too….. :O)
Ugg. I don’t like her points at all (cringe-sorry). I don’t write stories to gain any kind of authority, to start a speaking career (I hate speaking in front of people), or to make money. I just love to write stories, birth new characters, dominate plots, and create new places. I have an entire bookshelf full of three-ring binders and about five tubs of WIPs, completed manuscripts, and story ideas to prove it. If no one ever read a word I read, I’d probably STILL write stories. Honestly, the only reason I blog is to let people know I write stories and to keep readers informed on stuff about my stories.
If she likes to blog just to blog, and would rather do that instead of write novels, then yay for her! Not everyone has the same desires though. So, I say do what you like to do. That way, if you don’t make any money at it, at least you had fun and were happy!
Interesting article. I think there are a lot of people who say they WANT to write a book or have hopes of writing one. The article might apply to them. But for those of us in the trenches and doing the work, the joy and beauty of the creative process are reward enough. Publication is great to aspire to, but shouldn’t be the driving force behind those who truly love writing.
Man, I wish I could’ve worded my answer like you did. Wonderfully said.
Sad and funny all at the same time. Definitely a good reality check for some, though.
Read the article, still writing the book, actually just started it and going to be blogging a whole lot less. It’s just something I want to do for me. I’ve taken the writer’s workshops, agonized over the decision but it is my dream. No one can say what dream to follow. You need to follow your dreams and not to let the naysayers rain on your parade. You shouldn’t do anything because you think it will make you rich or give you credibility. You should do something because it speaks to your heart. There’s always going to be someone out there telling you why you shouldn’t do something. It’s the brave ones who do it anyway.
Go for it!!!
Interesting article Diane, but hey are the opinions of the writer, while some of the points may be pertinent, it all comes down to why you want to write!
My suggestion would be to do what you want, write for the sake of writing, if it comes from the heart that is all that matters!
Cheers
I think I’ve probably read this article before, but I’m going to click on the link and prepared to be mentally smooshed. LOL
Ha! What a funny article.
There is one reason and one reason only to write a book. Because you LOVE writing.
I love your picture–too funny!
I need to write books. The article does not apply to me at all. Writing isn’t a get-rich-quick-scheme; it’s a career that pays well for some and little for others. That’s life!
Okay, none of those are reasons I have ever entertained as my reasons for writing. I write because it helps me grow as a person and I love the creativity of it. Publication would only by a bonus.
Diane,
If you don’t mind I would like to add some fuel to the fire. You know that old saying:
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound?”
So
If a writer writes a piece/article/book and no one publishes it did the writer really write?
Or
If a writer writes a book and self publishes and no one buys did the writer really write?
I guess technically you did actually write but can you be called a writer? If writing is not your main source of income and you have no aspirations of it being your main source of income can you call yourself a writer?
Thoughts to ponder?
Too much fuel?
What do you think?
This made me laugh. I’m not all too sure why, but it did. Glad to know those aren’t my reasons… People who are serious about writing learn very early that they won’t be doing it for the money! :0)
My peeps seem to poo poo Ms. Penelope Trunk’s pitiful reasoning. :O)
She had some interesting and valid points, but I think that if you have an idea you believe should be a book and you have the writing, etc., to behind it to support it then go for it. (Is that a run-on sentence? I hope it’s not too bad. Not feeling that great right now.) Don’t give up.
That was a sad one. What a non-encourager! We can all dream!
Diane, you SHOULD write a book! Do not listen to all the nay-sayers.
I’ve found a lot of dream-dashers in this industry. No offense to the author of that post because yes, the vast majority of people who “think” they could write a book are wrong. But that doesn’t mean only best-sellers make money writing. Far from it. In RWA, I’ve met so many published authors who were able to quit their day jobs. No, they don’t make millions but they make as much as they were making working full-time, writing for Harlequin or Avon or whatever. They are prolific and have a steady, modest following that builds slowly. There are TONS of authors regularly publishing whose names aren’t household names who make $20,000-$100,000 a year writing. The key is dedication, loyalty, love, and the ability to type fast!
Diane, I agree with everything in this article – yet I’m still writing:) I bet you are, too. Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I really like yours!! Need to spend some time in the archives soaking up your writing stuff! Bless you today and always. And keep on writing!
Diane –
When you stop dreaming and aspiring to greater things, what is left? I know that we should be content in whatever circumstances that we find ourselves in, and I know that you are. Dreaming and aspiring doesn’t change that. But when we stop moving forward and doing the things we dream about and aspire to, we stop growing and being the best we can be. Even if you only write the book to put down your thoughts and feelings – it will be worth it and from reading your blog I know that you have a lot to impart to others so I’m pretty sure you won’t be the only one reading it……
The author of the article might have some valid points but then again everyone’s entitled to their own opinions…..
I look forward to reading your book. :p)
That article is pure BS. How about this: you love writing and you want to try your hands at writing a book? It starts with the writing, not dreaming about where it will possibly take you.
Happy writing, Diana!
You go ahead and write a book my dear. Miss Poo Poo Penelope is not God. He is the giver of all good gifts, including the gift of prose. It has nothing to do with money, although some make a little at it.
Throw that article in the round file and get to work. Mama Jeanette has spoken.
Love you.
Nonsense, darling! The minute someone tries to convince you not to do something you were meant to do, you should do it on the spot!
xoxox,
CC
okay i hated every second of that article!! Reason #1 you should write one: you want to! That’s the most important reason.
-Books are forever, no one is ever going to stop reading books just because there are blogs.
-If this is something you are passionate about it’s not about making money. No one is saying go quit your job and hope it’s a best seller or that you even want it to be a best seller. I design jewelry on the side and it’s what I’m passionate about and want to do. It’s not a means for me to make money, making money from it is a means for me to do what I love to do.
My view is that even if you have been published and reached a small number of people that would still be a huge accomplishment. You just can’t live your life convincing yourself that the things you want are too hard to attain and you won’t know if you don’t at least try!
I could go on and on seriously….
Now that I’m done with my rant I want to thank you for the nice compliment about my necklace and entering my giveaway! I’ll be having another one on my blog once I reach 100 followers
GOOD LUCK with your booK!
heather
Here is a suggestion for a blog post for you:
Five Reasons Why Penelope Should Not Have Written That Blog Post
She has some valid reasons, and if they apply, good. If they don’t, ignore them. She is right that a book is not necessarily a ticket to great wealth. But what if that isn’t your goal? Then it doesn’t apply to you.
You might write your blog posts so that they are the seeds of future chapters in your book. Maybe you are already doing that.
Thank you for your encouragement. This post definitely struck a chord with a lot of people. :O)
Hmmm. Perhaps she chose to write that article because she writes nonfiction for all the wrong reasons? That’s a great way for her to vent her frustrations but a lousy way to encourage other writers. Pay no attention and stay the course!
Thanks Amy! Trying :O)
What a great article. I had already decided not to try to fix up or send out fiction right now. (Maybe never.) Now I am even more content with my blog and other smaller writing projects. You made me so happy. Thanks and double thanks.
Interesting article.
All I can tell you is that if you’re going to let that blog post deter you from writing, then you shouldn’t write a book.
If you’re a writer, you’re a writer. And if you’re a writer, it’s the act of writing that sustains you, not the idea of being published.
can’t imagine cuddling up with my children reading from my blog – nah – doesn’t work for me – I’ll take a book any day of the week.
Keep writing!
“It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up, because by that time I was too famous.” — Robert Benchley
http://www.quotemountain.com (type in famous and see pg 2 for more about Robert Benchley)
Thanks Leslie. I’m still plugging away….. :O)
Hey, Diane,
It was an interesting article. Funny in some ways. Right on in others. But I don’t think it was the gospel truth. And I don’t think you should let it dash your dreams, either.
I didn’t “set out” to become a speaker. But I am.
I didn’t plan to write books. But I did.
And I’m not making oodles of money from either venture. But God provides what I need.
If it’s in His will for you to write a book, it’ll happen. And nothing Ms. Penelope says can change that.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. It has been fun visiting you and getting to know you a bit!
Oh no! Penelope Trunk has killed your dream and mine. But I say, let the naysayers be your motivators. Prove her wrong. You write your bestseller and I’ll write mine. Then we’ll both be able to say, “Screw You Penelope Trunk!”
Dianne, if you think about it, all her points were based on people who want to write books for a career. I don’t know if that’s what you had in mind. At least, it’s not what I had in mind. For me, to write is a form of creative expression. I would write for myself. And if it got published, that would be a bonus. So she can’t say you don’t need a book.