Welcome back to another blog hop, with #OpenBook. Here’s this week’s prompt.
Don’t forget to click the link to see what everyone else has to say on this week’s subject. It’s at the end of my post.
Which would you rather have? Money or Fame?
This may well not be what you expect to hear.
I’m not interested in fame or money. I write purely for my own enjoyment. I have stories in my head that need to come out. It’s also nice to prove my teachers wrong. They were the ones who made me believe that I couldn’t write to save my life. And they stopped me from writing until I was in my mid-fifties.
Even now, if I listen carefully, I can still hear them telling me that my school work was rubbish. They must all be long gone now, so I’ll never know what they would have said about my books. I can only assume (based on past experience) that they might not have changed their minds.
As an introvert, I have no desire for fame.
In fact, I go out of my way to stay as anonymous as possible. Due to the way I’ve been treated in the past, I keep my social media presence to a minimum and avoid engagement or personal appearances at sales events. My neighbours in our street don’t even know that I’m an author. I would hate to be recognised when I was out and about.
As for money, I suppose it would be nice, but I don’t need it.
I spend about the same on self-publishing my books as I would on any other hobby. And I wouldn’t expect to make money from playing golf or fishing. Of course, it’s great when someone buys a book, even better when they say a few kind words about it. The thing is, I don’t need to earn royalties to pay my bills.
I know it’s a fortunate position to be in.
In my life, I’ve been rich and poor, all I can say is that each condition brings its own problems. I support several charities from my pension, if I had more, I guess that’s where a lot of it would go.
Having no need for a relentless drive to market my work does give me a lot of freedom.
There are no deadlines, no pressure, and nobody telling me what I need to do. I have no expectations and therefore no disappointment.
I’m not chasing reviews, adulation or riches.
It’s me, the page, and the voices in my head. That suits me fine.
What do you think about this week’s subject?
Let me know by leaving me a comment.
While you’re here, please click the InLinkz link to check out what my fellow writers have to say about this week’s topic.
I’ll be back with another post on Thursday, see you then. Meanwhile, have a great week.
I’d love to get your comments, please leave them below. While you’re here, why not take a look around? There are some freebies and lots more content, about me, my writing and everything else that I do. You can join my newsletter for a free novella and more news by clicking this link.
Stevie Turner
Yes, writing for my own enjoyment is what I do too. Like you I’ve no desire to be recognised.
Richard Dee
I can’t imagine the pressure that fame would bring, you can keep it!
P.J. MacLayne
I still have the internal drive to want to woo new readers and not consider my writing a hobby. But since I’m retired, I find it harder to keep to a schedule.
Richard Dee
Readers who appreciate your work are a joy, I cherish their messages and keep them handy, to read when I’m having a bad day.
Lela Markham
That’s pretty much my viewpoint. I wrote for my own amazement for decades and then I started publishing. It’s a hobby that makes a little money. I’m very capitalist, so I try not to spend more on advertising, editing, and cover design than the books make in a year. I don’t really want to be famous–although I wouldn’t object if my books were famous. Hence, I’ve never done a book signing although I have participated in a few group book booths at local fairs. My neighbors don’t know I’m an author and I’m not rushing to tell them I am. Some coworkers and friends know and have bought books. I write under a pen name in part because I like my privacy.
I was always praised for my writing in school. For me, it was math and I still don’t enjoy it, although I do it all the time at work and I am the elected head counter for my church’s offering — which is more about scheduling other people to count, although I am the second about 50% of the time. So when I think back on the teachers who said I was a math-idiot, I kind of chuckle. They’re all gone too and I hope more encouraging teachers took their places, although my daughter encountered one of my high school math teachers when she was in high school. I got her on her first year of teaching. My daughter got her on her last year of teaching. There’s symmetry.
Richard Dee
Absolutely right, I met one of my teachers before I was a writer. He was able to congratulate me on my life, which I found immensely touching.
Samantha Bryant
I like it. We certainly don’t have to be motivated by either one! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Richard Dee
I’m content, and that’s the main thing.
Teresa
It was fun reading your post. I too like to write for the fun of it – but if someone says a kind word about it , I would be happy.
Richard Dee
Thanks, I try to be content, although a few more sales and reviews would be nice. 🙂
Kelly Williams
Sounds like you gave everything you need. That’s the goal! I also definitely worry about being seen/recognized.
Richard Dee
Oh, yes, I’m quite content with the way things are.
Jaideep Khanduja
wonderful. this is the state of nirvana!