I almost quit writing last Wednesday. It wasn’t like I woke up that morning and decided ‘today, I’m going to quit writing’ though I will say it wasn’t too long after that. In fact, I had finished up my morning prayer and was going through everything that had to be done. Manuscript to my editor. An article for a friend. Edits for another friend’s story. Throw in a meeting with my critique group(online) and my mastermind group (again online!) and even I could tell I was in trouble. The weight of everything that needed to be done, along with my family responsibilities pressed down on me, and I couldn’t help but wonder:
Why am I doing all this?
It’s not the money. Most writers make less than $10,000 a year, and lots of them make less than $5000. When we were doing our taxes this year, I realized I spent more on conferences, software, and books than I’d made. Even in my best year, I only made just under that $10,000 mark. One time, a friend of mine figured out that for every word she wrote, she made half of a penny. Most royalty statements go by without a check attached to it and if there is one, it may be enough to buy a sweet tea at Mcdonald’s.
It’s not the fame. Do you know how many books, both traditional and indie published are listed on Amazon? Hundreds of thousands, millions, and they’re all shooting for the top dog position, that number one slot. And then once you get there, there’s someone else just like you, trying to grab the brass ring from you.
Why am I still writing?
I could quit right now and be proud of the career I’ve had. Many people never see their book on the shelves of the local Barnes and Noble, and yet it’s happened fifteen times for me. I’ve been indie-published many times over and have fans as far away as India. (Cool, right?)
So why do I keep writing?
Because I can’t imagine a day without it. Because I find great joy in the creative process of discovering characters. Because my fingers itch to write each and every day. And if I’m really honest with myself—I didn’t start down this path for money and fame (though these things are nice.) I write because I heard God’s still, small voice calling me to write. Sometimes, I lose my focus and all my failures come back to haunt me, but then I look up. I come across a verse that speaks to my situation. I get encouragement from an unexpected source. God has called me to write, and until He tells me to stop, I’ll continue writing my little stories.
Why do I write? I write for Him.
