Publishing is hard. No matter what type you are pursuing, you will face hurdles. A lot of them. Sometimes, when writers rant to others, especially non-writers, folks will ask why you are putting yourself through all that strife.
Why can’t you just write stories for you? Why do you want to share them with anyone?
I actually think this is a relevant question. Every writer I know asks themselves this at some point. I mean, gardeners don’t necessarily set out planting, hoping the whole neighborhood will visit. There’s plenty of cooks who make meals for themselves, and artists who create but never share.
So why do you have to publish your stories? What drives that need?
For me, I got this answer when I recently met up with two of my writer friends. It was during our conversation that I realized where I got my love for sharing stories, not just writing them. It goes all the way back to elementary school. You see, I moved around a lot. Like, every two years. It was hard to make friends. But wherever I went, I wrote. This ended up being how I made friends. During reading time at school, I would write stories, and often, a classmate would ask me to use their name. (It was the 90’s. I didn’t have the internet in my phone to look up names. But I always had my classmates!) So, I would use their name, write whatever story came to mind, then rip it out of my notebook and give it to them. I had no desire to keep the story for myself. Sometimes, my classmates laughed at the story. Sometimes, they shared their story with a friend. Sometimes it went terribly wrong and no one liked the story, but everyone still had a good laugh. It was watching that joy take place that filled me with something akin to pride.
It was connection. Community. A true sense of belonging within each other’s joy.
Sharing this childhood memory with my friends reminded me, not only of why I love writing, but why I pursue publication instead of keeping my stories to myself.
The answer for you may be different, but I encourage you to ask yourself why.
Publishing can be a very difficult road. It’s easy to get lost along the way and question yourself. Being able to pinpoint the why for me has helped fuel my dreams. Granted, sometimes that why changes from book to book, but I think deep down, all my whys connect back to those memories of writing stories for others. In fact, when I think about my happiest times with storytelling, there’s always someone else present. Whether a beta reader is leaving hilarious reactions on my manuscript or I’m signing a book for a reader at an event, someone is there, smiling.
And that’s pretty magical.
~SAT
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I absolutely agree, Shannon, and have had similar discussions myself recently after what I felt were disappointing sales results for my debut novel. So much work for so little reward. Why bother? But the answer doesn’t take long to surface, especially when talking to other writers: I write because I feel compelled to tell stories, because I can create worlds that are of me, but also outside of me in which to express my creativity and escape the humdrum of everyday life. And when I don’t write I feel something missing and the need to get back to it becomes inescapable. But it is not enough for me just to write, I want to be read, partly for the validation this brings me, but also because of the connection it brings when someone enjoys or relates to your take on the world. Every reader is important to me, and it matters far more that my work is read than any financial gain (though I’m lucky enough not to need the money having retired on a modest pension from the day job).
More on this in my latest blog: Shout out to Book Groups and Massive Thanks to all Readers | Penny Frances (wordpress.com)
All the best to you, Shannon. Keep on telling those stories!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings about this! I think it’s so important for authors to evaluate WHY they want to publish their stories. There’s something really special in understanding that need for connection through storytelling. I am cheering you and your stories on!
~SAT
Publication for me is the next (sometimes final) step in the creative process. I write the story, and then I put it to use.
Like, costumers sew incredible garments. Would they then hang them in a closet and never wear them?
Wood workers make furniture. Would they stuff it in the garage and never sit in the chair?
Having an audience who enjoys your work and interacts is great, and it’s the end use we all envision when we write our stories. And I think it’s why so many people self-publish, even though it isn’t cheap and there’s little return on the investment. Sharing our stories is part of the purpose.
“Sharing our stories is part of the purpose.” – I love that. I also loved the other examples you shared. It’s so true! I’ve never understood why folks even question writers who want to publish. It doesn’t feel like other professions get questioned as much. Then again, maybe they do, but I don’t experience it. Either way, it’s nice to have the conversation!
~SAT