Reading through Prospera Publishing's newsletter yesterday, I came across this:Forget about equating writing with financial reward. You need to write because you love it, not because you want that contract and a place in the bestseller charts. The first should help with the second, but writing is one of those jobs that pays nothing for a very long time, and the sooner you come to terms with this, the better you'll feel about continuing your work.
And I had to smile, because this is such a great piece of advice and something I constantly struggle with. Leaving the corporate world and my own income behind and relying solely on my husband was a giant step. At the time, I didn't realise just how huge it was. My eyes were set only on getting published. I didn't think about what would happen after I got published. There was no need to, because I'd be making money then, right? I'd at least be able to buy my luxury hair conditioner again rather than the cheap non-name stuff (this was a giant sacrifice at the time, I can assure you)!
WRONG!
Because here I am, two published books later, and I can assure you that my hair is still slathered in Tesco's conditioner rather than my lovely Aveda one. I still fret over whether I can really afford that dinner out with friends. And I'm into my overdraft just to attend a conference in July.
I know, I know: poor me! I am so grateful and proud to have those two books published, and a novel on the way. And with one just out in November and the other released this month, my books are selling relatively well, too: sales are increasing month by month! So it's not that I'm not on my way. It's just that it takes a long time, and a lot of work, for the profits to start showing.
For the past two and a half years, I've worked every day from 8 am to 4 pm - a regular work-day (and often on the weekends, too). If I was to take the profit I have made so far from my published books and divide it by 30 months... well, let's just say it would not even buy me a cupcake a week!
Writing is hard work, and it's the rare author who can live from the profits they make. So yes: forget about equating writing with financial reward. Write because you love it, and don't lose sight of that -- even if your hair does fall out of your head!
(Thank you to everyone who added The Hating Game on Goodreads yesterday! Mwah!)
Great post! Thank you for the advice and the encouragement; I think that you're totally right. I think that anyone who writes only so that they can become popular/rich/published won't last as long as the people who write because they love it and because they can't imagine a life without writing.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I do dream of a day when I'll earn enough from my writing to buy Frappuccinos whenever I want.
This post is so true! I've been writing for about five years now and I've only earned a few hundred dollars a year since then. And I know how you feel about the cheap conditioner! It makes my hair so greasy.
ReplyDeleteWill your book be available on Amazon in the US?
That is realistic but so depressing. At least you can find comfort in the thought that your underrated effort makes readers happy.
ReplyDeleteI write because I can't NOT write. It wasn't until the last book I wrote that I went 'huh, maybe I should try to publish.' And honestly, trying to get published has taken some of the fun out of it. But I'll soldier on. I might never 'make it' but that's cool. I'm a storyteller. I don't know how to be anything else.
ReplyDeleteFrappucinos would be nice too! As well as cupcakes, of course. And yes, cheap conditioner is the WORST!
ReplyDeleteSarah - it is depressing, I agree, but sometimes I think it's better to have realistic expectations beforehand. That way you can really focus on the writing instead of fantastizing about what you're going to buy when you're rich and famous!
Good job dishing out the realism without being a downer at all; I love your perspective!
ReplyDeleteAlso, your hair looks lovely, cheap conditioner aside. :)
Oh, and to Aubrie: Yes, it should hopefully be available through Amazon in the US!
ReplyDeleteChristi - I know; me too. I think that's how most writers feel, but sometimes things get a bit cloudy when we think about publication...
Guinevere - AW! I love hair compliments! :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI know several accomplished writers who juggled many activities to get to where they are now. Their love of writing motivated them to write very early in the morning and late at night, while working their day job.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think on the Internet most people expect everything to come at no cost. It's hard to make money there.
I don't want to dampen enthusiasm for writing and the quest which we all love here.
I've found that usually the writers who write because they love it, have the best books. The writers who write just to make money don't seem to have the 'spark' in their books or maybe it's because their heart and soul really isn't in it. Good luck with your books and your hair conditioner. :)
ReplyDeleteMason
Thoughts in Progress
Thanks for the reminder! Its very true, nevertheless i wish you lots of sucess with your novel, hope you'll be rolling in Aveda!
ReplyDeleteTally, I blogged about not giving up the day job a while back - luckily I know enough of you properly-published authors not to fool myself into thinking I would ever be in a position to be able to do this, but also I'd miss the social interaction, because writing for a living would just be too solitary. Great post x
ReplyDeletesorry I keep putting 'Tally'. D'oh!
ReplyDeleteI think most of us long for the day we have a book published. However, you're absolutely right. It's okay to strive for publication but we should write what we love, because we love it - not for money.
ReplyDeleteFor me, writing for love (and publication) is different than writing for money.
And cheap conditioner or not - you have fabulous hair!!
I'm not sure about this. It's true that you cannot write just for money, but there are also many authors in print who do just that and who started on the road of becoming writers just in order to make money. Whether their work is good not not is irrelevant if they are in demand. And it is this point that annoys me the most.
ReplyDeleteBut apparently for the vast majority of mid-list writers, the money they make in their careers is less than the minimum wage. So it's absolutely true that you cannot enter this 'business' if you want to become a millionaire...
Sorry about this mini-rant and congratulations on your book. Off to pre-order now.
And thanks for your comments & support of my blog.
Helena xx
That's really good advice. I know I've had to rely on my husband's income and can't even afford conditioner...(just joking)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I know that at the end of my life, if I had taken the path where I worked and made money and ate cupcakes but never had written any books. I would have regrets.
I hope to look back at my life, and though I was poor, left a legacy of many books behind for generations of my family to feel proud about.
Great post, Talli.
CD
Love the quote from the newsletter. Love reading your blog. Love your writing on it. And look lovingly forward to reading your novel. Hope you keep on loving writing even if helmut head does set in (which it isn't by the way-your hair looks LOVELY). Now I must rush off to my day job.
ReplyDeleteDebs - don't worry! Talli, Tally it's all good; I'm just happy you're commenting! :)
ReplyDeleteHelena - My pleasure. I love your blog! And while I think it's true that *some* writers go into it for money, I think the vast majority do it because they love it - and probably don't earn much of a living doing it.
Clarissa - Absolutely. That's exactly the reason I'm doing it! Whether I ended up getting published or not, I just knew I had to try to write seriously.
I think it's important to have a realistic outlook on getting published. I've seen quite a few writers/bloggers here and there say, "Well, when I get my book published, I'm going to quit my job and buy that mansion and 14 dogs..." I'm exaggerating, of course, but it's sad to see some writers getting their hopes way up.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many writers like these WILL get published and may even be successful, but I wouldn't rely on that first book to not only replace a previous full-time job, but also provide enough income to afford a mansion and a zoo of pets and whatever else. Some authors do have this kind of break-out success, but we shouldn't expect it. That way, if it happens, it's a good surprise.
Lynn - Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteAnd helmet head has set in, believe me. I am SO overdue for a haircut! The perils of short bleached hair.
Jaydee - I forgot to thank you! :)
Shelley - absolutely; very well put. You can have moderate sucess and it's still not enough to really quit the day job. Break-out successes do happen and it's amazing when it does, but it probably isn't something we should rely on.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that picture of those fancy cupcakes--I'm now craving them more than ice cream!
ReplyDeleteYou really wrote a blog entry that should be published in every newspaper & on every online writing site to show the reality of what writing is like. So many people who want to write think they're the next big name author or will be moving into that Beverly Hills mansion real soon.
Writing is about making sacrifices and putting in so much time in front of the computer that you can fall asleep there.
Have you tried another brand of inexpensive conditioner such as Garnier Fructis?
Very good advice.
ReplyDeleteI would write for those cupcakes. They look so good! Seriously, I've been re-thinking my motives too. I mean, I loved the story I wanted to tell and I loved writing it, but in trying to get it published, I think I wanted to do that just so I could say I was published. I've realized what I really want is for people to *read* the story--however that may happen.
ReplyDeleteYour cupcakes are making me hungry--oh! I have a brownie in my lunch! Woo-hoo! So what if it's only mid-morning. ;-)
This is so true. We write because we love it and can't stop.
ReplyDeleteLove the cupcakes picture, Talli!
ReplyDeleteI've always wondered about the story of JK Rowling sitting in a cafe all day while she wrote the first Harry Potter. How did she afford all those cups of tea/coffee/frappucinos? Unless the cafe owner was especially nice and let her drink tap water while she was plugging away.
Best wishes for your book x
Poor you. You're so brave, though. I'm not sure I could ever quit my job, I freak out too much about money. But YAY for you, and doing what you love just because you love it. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Talli! At least you understand how other writers work and how in the real world not all of us will be able to live off those earnings like J.K. Rowling or Stephanie Meyer. It truly proves that it isn't all about the money, it's about the love of writing!
ReplyDeleteYou're right. It's not about the money. If it was then the world would have missed out on many great novels, works of poetry and fine artwork too for that matter.
ReplyDeleteBut those cupcakes look delicious. Are they real? Can anyone really make anything as perfect... must be supper time.
I know, I know. But I still like money. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteShannon Hale is a successful New York Times bestselling author, and she blogged about how she doesn't even earn enough for her family to live on yet. It's an interesting post. Here's the link, if I can get it to work in the comment box: http://oinks.squeetus.com/2010/05/ts-eliot-paid-taxes-too.html Even for established authors, the money rarely comes rolling in.
Ah, so true but such a bummer, lol. Though, I sure wouldn't mind writing for cupcakes!!!
ReplyDeleteTalli, great post. It's always encouraging to hear that so many are in the exact same boat. Since my hair is mostly falling out now, I guess I don't really have to worry about the fancy conditioners...unless that's why it's falling out???
ReplyDeleteLOL!
Take care.
--James
http://jamesgarciajr.blogspot.com/
Oh no!!!! I want to believe that you are having champers for breakfast, oysters for lunch and erm.. fancy cupcakes for dessert while dining out in the Fat Duck!
ReplyDelete:-)
But seriously. For me it's not so much the money, it's more the acknowledgement and the validation. If I could just have one of my stories that I send to endless competitions to at least be shortlisted then I'll be happy. I want some establishment acknowledgement darn it!!!
Oh and fancy cup-cakes!
Take care
x
what a brilliant and honest post, Talli. thanks so much for sharing this peek into the life of a published author! big dreams come with big sacrifices, don't they?
ReplyDeletebut my fingers are crossed for you! i hope you make those millions so you can stay home AND enjoy fancy shampoo! hehehe
by the way, are your books out in the US? (i feel stupid for even asking, but i'd love to buy them!)
Thank you all for your lovely and supportive comments! It's so nice to have a great group of writers to vent to, and they actually get it!
ReplyDeleteTahereh - how sweet you are! :) My books are 24 Hours London and 24 Hours Paris (both travel guides) under my real name, Marsha Moore. 24 Hours London is on Amazon.com but we're having distribution issues with 24 Hours Paris in the US at the mo'. Argh!
Thanks again, everyone, for the wonderful support and understanding.
This is such an honest post with some great advice. Though the income would be nice, I am definitely not writing because I think it will pay well. It is always good to have back-up plans. :)
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sistah.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know I could add The Hating Game on Goodreads already. I'll go do it now! :)
another reason to write: to get the stories you need to tell out there :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll be making enough to be able to buy as many cupcakes (and Aveda shampoo) as you want once The Hating Game becomes a best seller.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Sometimes even I get so wrapped up in the "I want to be published" moan that I forget how much I just love to write.
ReplyDeletep.s I love Aveda conditioner too but, alas, my budget doesn't cover it either.
So true. Writing is a long and winding journey, but it is our passion for it that keeps us going, that keeps those words ever in our life. Of course money is a fine reward, but there are so many others, as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very true, amazingly honest post. And for the lovely pictures of the cupcakes. :)
ReplyDeleteAll so true, but not unusual in any of the arts. How many great painters get recognised whilst alive? Also, musos. Apparently the average yearly income for an Aussie musician is AU $10,000, and that's after taking into account those that earn the big bucks.
ReplyDeleteWrite on, lovelies, it sure ain't about the money, honey, but it would be nice if there was just a teensy bit of financial freedom involved.
Great post Talli, I was so interested in what everyone had to say and I couldn't stop looking at your wonderful hair? Pre no-name brand conditioner?
You're so right -- passion is everything. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove this post! It's so right, because whenever I get caught up in the "will I ever have an agent? Will I EVER be published?" thought cycle, my productivity goes down because I'm too freaked out. When I just write because it's fun, I get SO much stuff finished.
ReplyDeleteI applaud you for making that leap! I had the fortune of staying home for awhile after my first was born (why the heck couldn't I have decided to write a book THEN?), and while it was lovely, I stressed over every penny I spent.
ReplyDeleteI felt like it was my husband's money, not mine or ours. Ridiculous, I know. I'm hoping someday I can be home again.
I was at a proposal writing workshop and the instructor said something like, "Now here's the part you are all here to talk about: the money." And I thought to myself- Really? That's why people write?
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Talli. You really have put in so much work and love, and I think it shows, even if the money isn't rolling in like water. I hope you make a good amount here on the release of your book, but more than that, I wish you the success of people loving your work the way you loved it as you created it.
ReplyDeletewhat a fantastic post! that's so true.
ReplyDeleteMy dad bought me a cupcake cookbook in London a few years ago and everything I make from it is wonderful. Last week I made vanilla saffron cupcakes and they were divine.Thought of you. :)
Great post! I think we all need to be reminded of this sometimes.
ReplyDeleteTalli ~ There's something special waiting for you at my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteCupcakes are good - I'll write for them :) And for the love of it of course!
ReplyDeleteI tagged you!
ReplyDeleteHere's to more cupcakes.
Great post! It's good to hear how it really works from a published author. I'm not expecting to make much money, but not even a cupcake a week? Good thing we love it so much!
ReplyDeleteWriting IS hard work but it's also a compulsion so even if a writer works full time the writing can't be ignored... You said you work from 8 - 4 but you forgot to mention that is your pure writing time and there are eleventymillion 'writing associated' hours that you put in outside of that pure writing time frame; the blogging, the PR work etc and so on.
ReplyDeleteI like this post! I really want to become an author, but only because I love writing so much. It brings me great joy, and I don't care that you don't get paid that well. At least you get the freedom to make your own working hours, which is a rare thing in other professions.
ReplyDeletexx Blaize.
This is so true. When I work out the time I spend on short stories, and the money I've made from selling them, my earnings average out at around 50p an hour. Which means, if I wrote shorties full time, I could maybe earn as much as £20 a week. So I do it for love, and regard the occasional cheque arriving as a nice bonus.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you. And that's why I think it's good for someone in a creative field to have more than just that one career interest.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Definitely not for the money.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! This was such a brilliant dose of reality - encouraging yet honest, and it really opened my eyes to that publishing 'dream'. It reminds me why I write and why it's important to write out of love and not because you're hoping for a ridiculously oversized advance!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and a very delicious pic...
ReplyDeleteSound advice. Loving it is the only reward for most of us. (= And it is the best reward.
ReplyDelete