Why Do We Do It?

Posted on by

There’s been an image floating around Facebook, have you seen it? This one……

20120518-153015.jpg
With a bit of investigation, I’ve discovered it’s come from The Weldon Owen Publishing blog and it seems to have inspired lots of debates.

One of my favourite bloggers, Roger Colby featured it on his blog a few days ago, and it made me ask my self the question….. If this writing and publishing malarkey is so goddam hard….why do we do it? Why do we put ourselves through it?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? Or is it just me?

I’ve been doing some Googling lol….from what I can tell (the figures vary) its less than 1% of all manuscripts that get submitted that actually find their way on to our shelves in book form. It’s a tiny amount when you consider the hundreds of thousands of MS’s that must land on agents and publishers desks every day.

So, here’s exactly why I put myself through it.

1. I LOVE writing and I love words

2. It’s escapism, a chance to get away from my own life and envelop myself in someone else’s lol.

3. To get down on paper the thoughts going round in my head.

4. It’s a chance to explore, learn and grow.

5. Because there’s still that tiny piece of me that hopes i might, just might, be in that 1% *snigger*

20120520-092034.jpg

So I’m determined to stay positive, determined to continue on my writing journey, and if I never get published, so be it….I’m doing something I really enjoy 🙂

So why do you do it?

32 thoughts on “Why Do We Do It?”

  1. The answer is simple, I think. You write because you can’t help it. Just think of it. Why would you keep writing this blog, for example? There’s no financial gain, only the possibility of receiving comments from peers and admirers. But even that is enough.

    Like

    Reply

  2. I like to think I do it because I like write and want to share my thoughts, but I’m beginning to think I’m delusional. Lol

    Like

    Reply

  5. That’s a very interesting chart! I like the fact that the person posted it to start a debate. Hmmm let me see……..I enjoy writing because apart from sharing my thoughts, I am trying to tap into my creative side. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I am 100% certain that when you write your first novel, it will literally fly off the shelves!

    Like

    Reply

  7. Simply because there are things floating around in my head that I want to get out. If they turn into something for others at some point down the line then it is even more good.

    Like

    Reply

  9. I cycle to work (when it’s sunny) not once have I been told I’ll never be a professional cyclist so should get the bus. I cook tea. No one points out I’ll never own a 5 star restaurant so should live on take aways. I weed the garden. Nobody says I’m wasting my time as I won’t get a gold medal at Chelsea so should concrete over my patch. Lots of people do lots of things for reasons other than becoming rich and famous from them – why must every writer get a fab publishing deal or quit?

    And anyway, our ideas are so great and we’ll work so hard at them that we’ll be in that 1% 😉

    Like

    Reply

  10. I say this partially with humor because of the protests that went on late last year. Yes, I want to be part of the 1 percent! In all seriousness, I enjoyed your post! It is worth it if you make the effort.

    Like

    Reply

  13. You nailed it. We do it because – it makes us feel better. I wish I could just write and NOT try to get published. Then I could just enjoy myself! But ‘my readers,’ (ie family and friends) insist I should publish. Drat. So much more fun to just write….

    Like

    Reply

  15. I laughed at that flow chart. I wish it weren’t harrowingly true, but I guess that’s the way it goes for most of us. Ah well. And despite all that, I still write. It’s a part of my soul. I wake up wanting to write. When I can’t sit down to write, then I daydream about my novel and other stories I want to write. I delay bedtime because I need to write *just one more thought*

    Like

    Reply

Lets chat!