In the early years of my writing, while I was querying and getting rejection after rejection, I got frustrated. I questioned, “Should I go on?” But my sister reminded me that writing was just in me. Yes, writing was in me, but to grow as a writer, sustain the long hours of writing, push through the rejection, and continue to write, I had to ask myself, “Why do I write?”
Whenever taking on a challenge in life, there is always a driving force. Many artists–writers, painters, musicians–don’t articulate the driving force behind their passion. They have a passion, a gift, or a drive from within to create. However, identifying that force can help you on levels that will become evident when you need it. Writing stories of your life to leave to your children and grandchildren differs from writing to earn credibility in your field or share your expertise with peers. One requires the act of “jotting” down your thoughts and stories, maybe self publishing, and giving away copies, while the other may require professional writing skills, formal training and education, querying to an agent, and finding a publisher who specializes in distributing to your trade. Having an important story to tell is very different from wanting to entertain or earn notoriety, each decision requiring a different method of writing, means of distribution, and type of marketing.
What is your reason or purpose for writing? Do you write to be famous? Get a movie deal? Earn credibility in your field? Help people with your life experiences? Is it for self-awareness? Are you leaving a legacy of your life? Do you write for expression of creativity or entertainment? Or, filling a gap in the marketplace? The reasons can be one or many, but there are several compelling reasons why a writer should ask themselves, “Why do I write?”
Clarity of Purpose: Understanding the underlying motivation helps the writer set up their goals. It provides direction and focus on the creative process, the publishing process, and the marketing process. For example, my purpose of writing is to introduce a new genre, literary romance. Not only will I have to research the romance and literary marketplace, understand the expectations of each genre to help define my writing, learn the who’s who of the industry, know comparable, and grasp the expectation of my target readers, but this will require me to educate the public about what literary romance is, versus just entertaining readers. This will change my marketing plan. I may want to not only advertise my book, enticing readers to my story, but include podcasts and interviews where I can further explain my genre to educate readers about what I write.
Audience Connection: When writers authentically express their motives, readers can resonate with sincerity and passion behind their work. For example, I proclaim, “I want to bring the romantic back to romance”. One of my motivations behind romantic scenes is to show a deeper perspective about love, intimacy, and relationships. I want to write romantic scenes that are “beautiful”, express love as a spiritual bonding between souls, and show that love can be an intimate connection of two people beyond the physical. Some write romantic scenes for the steam, shock, or the graphic. Others choose to fade-to-black and show nothing at all. (None of which or better or worse.) Each motive or goal is different, and each will connect with different audiences for different reasons. Knowing why one writes enables better connection with an audience, helping define who you are writing for and will market to.
Purpose of Writing: I began writing because I wasn’t finding what I wanted to read in the marketplace. A lover of 19th literature, I wanted to bring what I loved about old world writing–like witty dialogue, characters with depth, rich scenery–in a way that 21st-century readers could appreciate. Many people have watched a Jane Austen-inspired movie but have not read her works. In our fast-paced, get to the action mentality of entertainment, Austen’s writing, as with many 19th-century writers, had become foreign, and at times, unrelatable. So, I set out to write stories that encapsulate what I love about old world writing, like Austen, and make it relatable and entertaining to 21st readers. I defined a purpose that keeps me focused on my writing style. Many times I was tempted to write more “contemporary”, concerned my style would not be accepted in the marketplace. But after two novels, and a multiple of awards for those very elements that sets me a apart, it has only reinforced my purpose.
Motivation and Inspiration: Understanding the reasons for writing is a great way to inspire your writing, especially on those days when you are staring at a blank page and your fingers are not moving. It serves as a reminder of the driving force behind your creative pursuit, and help writers overcome obstacles and stay committed to their craft. When I have those days of disappointment about my marketing not working, or lack of sales, I remind myself that what I am offering is needed in the marketplace. I believe there are readers out there who want what I write, and my work will find its place among readers in time.
People write for a multiple of reasons, and these motivations can vary greatly from individual. Understanding the purpose of writing helps direct your focus, set goals, and help align your passions. Consequentially, your writing becomes imbued with great meaning and impact. Asking “Why do I write” is fundamental for developing a profound self-awareness, understanding your work, crafting engaging content, and prioritizing and connecting with your audience. The process ultimately leads to the formation of your writing identity, setting you apart from others in a marketplace of millions of books published every year.
The Business of Writing 
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