For any writer, here’s a question to ask yourself: “Why do I want to write this novel?”
A student told me recently that he was writing his first novel in order to sell it for a lot of money. Though I fully understand this motive, I don’t believe it’s a strong enough reason to complete your work.
Writing a novel requires having skin in the game. We become invested in our characters. To write purely for money distances you from the aliveness of the characters, and can pull you out of your imagination.
Writing a novel is a search for the truth. The convergence of art and commerce does not happen in the imagination. In fact, art is often rewarded for eschewing monetary considerations.
I think it’s ridiculous to expect any novelist or memoirist to be indifferent about having his work seen, bought, and rewarded. When we make these aspirations more important than the story, however, we tend to kill what we’re attempting to birth.
Writing Without Distraction
An artist should be paid for their work.But if you’re thinking about money while you are creating you are not creating.Art is a labor of love.
Thanks Keith,I totally agree on all counts. I hope your writing is going well.Best,Al
I desperately want to write a good novel. That’s all I can hope for. Please god, let it be good.
Amen! Thanks Ed. I totally agree.
I fully agree with you. When I was teaching, many of my students wanted a wish fulfilled–be that one successful artist that made tons of money. All they had to do was turn out the paintings, and people would line up to buy them. I told them good-luck. After completing my class, they realized how hard it was to be an artist, and there was more to it than just letting their fancies go bonkers. There are many rules in art, as there is in writing. People don’t realize that. Many have told me, creative expression is easy, and that’s what they want to do. The FIX is left up to the mechanic. They view the world in two parts: the idea (them), and the fixer (others).