Image “Write” above via Carmen Kynard Flickr Creative Commons

Below are some ramblings about why I write. I wrote it more for myself than for anyone else. It is a reminder for when I get stressed about the parts of writing that don’t matter in the end. When I started writing — only seriously for the last year — my life changed for the better. I am one of those people that thrive on feeling a sense of accomplishment, of continually learning something new. And writing has fulfilled that need.

When I start to worry about selling the book, I lose all that I’ve gained from writing a book in the first place. I’ve learned so much about myself and my passions in the last year or so. This journey is not about the end goal, it is about my jumping out of bed on weekends to work on something that brings joy and a sense of achievement to my life.

If I get bogged down worrying about what will sell and what won’t, I’ll lose all sense of what I want to convey to my reader. And if only one reader ‘gets it’ then I’ll be happy. My end goal isn’t to be a bestselling author since it is highly unlikely. My end goal is to be happy, to spend time doing something that I’ve always enjoyed doing. Putting my thoughts down on paper and learning how to do it better.

Image via http://www.gotcredit.com  Flickr Creative Commons

I love to learn. I’m good at it. And there is nothing more rewarding for me than doing something well. So much so, I’d love to take courses to brush up on my grammar so I can wrestle with those crazy comma rules.

Do I want to become of bestselling author? Of course, I do. But I’m not going to let that dream alter my focus and my love for what I’m doing.

The ones that do ultimately make writing their day job are the ones that persevere. They keep going despite the rejections, poor reviews or poor sales. They continue because they love it, driven to get the stories out.

I’ve always had to work hard, and to get where I am today, I’ve worked my ass off. So maybe I can do it again with writing. I know to be one of the ones to ‘make it’ as a writer, I have to keep the learning, the writing, the editing, the research, the publishing fun. As soon as it isn’t, as soon as it becomes work, then I might as well quit because I already have a job. Why do it at home all over again after a day’s work and for a hell of a lot less money?

So I will continue to write while I love it and don’t see this all consuming affair ending soon. Sorry Oatcakes. (To learn more about Oatcakes see the end of my About Page.)

I wrote a book!  I feel great about that and I’ll share it with whoever wants to read it — once my endless revisions are… well, ended. Hopefully, you will be someone who enjoys finding out what trouble the characters in my head are getting into. I know I do, even if they keep me up at night.