Friday, November 16, 2018

The Rewards and Costs of Writing


I love our group blogs. Rhobin always comes up with great topics and usually I find them thought provoking, things I may never have considered. This month it’s “How has writing rewarded you? What has it cost you?”
How has writing rewarded me? Where do I start? One of the great things about writing is the writing community, whether it be online, at workshops or conferences. Writers are usually the most supportive group of people. And at a conference, the energy from other writers is amazing. I’ve made some wonderful friends through writing.  And volunteering for some of the writing organizations allows me to also give back to the writing community.

It’s also allowed me to see many sides of writing. The writing process, the agent and editor hunts, the publishing houses and their changes, small press, print books and eBook, indie publishing with cover artists, editors, formatters and publishing with eBook publishers. I’ve seen many changes in the profession of writing. And marketing of course. It continues to be a learning process. And learning keeps you young and the mind active, which is another reward. And there's the joy of writing The End to a story you've enjoyed writing.
Writing is something I’ve always done, and I can’t imagine not writing. It allows me to express myself and talk to all those people who hang out in my head. I guess it allows me to hear voices and people don’t think I’m crazy – just a crazy writer. 
What has it cost me? If you’re an indie pub there could be a cost for covers, editing etc. So, there is a financial cost. Other than that, I don’t know that it’s cost me anything. It takes time and that time could be spent on other things, but I’d rather spend it writing. Sometimes on a gorgeous day, if I’m writing an important scene, I wish I could be outside. But most of the time I can manage to take some time to enjoy the day or the season. I try to balance family and friends. They’re used to me now, even if they don’t completely understand that it’s not a hobby. So, I don’t know that it’s really cost me anything. I’m interested in what other writers have to say.  And I’ll be checking them out.
Please check out the rest of the group to see their thoughts.
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/
A.J. Maguire  http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1qD
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com  

16 comments:

  1. You have a super positive outlook! I also enjoy the writing community and it has its both surprising and uplifting support.

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    1. Writing helps with that attitude. If I'm in a bad place occasionally I find me writing, and music, help bring me back up.

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  2. So curious how different people can be. What you love most about writing is the community. What writing does for me is get me in flow, apart from the rest of the world.

    But we share onething in common for sure: I could never imagine myself not writing, either.

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    1. Good point David. I think we can all write and love it for many different reasons, but at the end - we're writers. Thanks for commenting.

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  3. Had to chuckle about your comment that it's really not a hobby. I tried to make that point with my 16 year old granddaughter who currently is convinced that any job not bringing in a good income ( 6 figures in her view) is a hobby. I tried to explain that while my writing does not yet support me it is far from a hobby but rather a passion that constantly challenges and lures me.

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    1. Isn't it funny that if you don't "go to work" and make lots of money - it's a hobby. I wonder if artists have the same problem.

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    2. According to my granddaughter it isn't even about GOING to WORK - its about earning a ton of money. I tried to convince her that where you passion lies is where you should be investing your time whether it's writing books or teach kids or becoming a billable-hour lawyer. At the time I was trying to make the point that you will be doing this job, whatever career path you choose for more than 45 years and if you don't love it, it's going to be a drag every single day. I pray she gets it before she has to choose, but right now I fear her priorities are skewed toward money and not passion and interest.

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    3. I, too, would hope her views change. While money is nice, like it's always said, and I believe, it doesn't buy happiness. In this day and age so many people are trapped in a job they hate. And the money doesn't make it any easier when you wake up hating the day in front of you. Hmm, that could be the start of a new book.

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  4. David, that's spot on. When a scene takes off, the rest of the world disappears.

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  5. Beverley, I enjoyed your post. Personally, I am a passionate loner and prefer my own company. There, I can create people of my own, who then boss me around of course.

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    1. I understand the loner - and I love that the people you create can boss you around.

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  6. Interesting post. It's definitely hard to balance everything else in one's life and make time for writing. This is currently my major bugaboo. You seem to do well.

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    1. I try, but it doesn't always work out. That darn life thing. :)

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  7. The balance is hard for me as I am sometimes quite hedonistic. Finish this chapter or join a friend for a glass of wine? Hmm. Decisions, decisions. However, if the friend is also a writer then I can brainstorm while I imbibe and the writing is often the better for it.

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  8. And while you're brainstorming, you can also have a glass of wine - and everything's covered. :)

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