Money can be the thief of joy. If you decide to take money for your art, you also need to find ways to do art simply for the joy of it. Or else art just becomes a job. And often a poor paying one. I teach music for a living, but I play music for joy. It can be tough to keep them separate at times. My band earns money, but I see it as a bonus, not the focus. I would never play in a band just for money. That is a job. I also play at home just for the love of it.
For me, the “tip” or “patron” strategy works best for my writing. I don’t paywall my Substack or promise regular extras to paying subscribers. If they want to support me, great, but it’s optional. That way I don’t feel any pressure to meet deadlines or produce extras. I do it for the joy of creating and the interaction with readers. That is the fun part for me. And I need creative outlets to stay sane.
The same idea goes for my books. I put them on my Substack for free. And on Amazon. If someone wants to buy one, great. If not fine. I am not counting on the money. But I love having created them.
I also take breaks if I need them. When I will often focus on another creative outlet. Or nothing at all.
I do miss that pure passion I had for learning guitar in the beginning. Same for writing. But life changes things and we have to find our way. Best wishes, Brian.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Mark! It sounds like you found a great balance. I'm certain I've leaned too far in one direction and I'm trying to get the pendulum to swing back the other way. It might mean my frequency is less consistent as I figure out my balance.
I have found that readers are very understanding. Early in my Substack journey, I was the one putting pressure on myself to produce more because I thought that was the only way. I burned out and had to take a break. I couldn’t write at all for six months. I took the paywall down and offered refunds. I started viewing writing as a creative outlet (hobby, which I consider essential things) and quit worrying about money and promotion. All of my paid subscribers understood and stayed. It is good to reevaluate frequently and adjust as needed. 🤓
There's nothing wrong with earning money from your creations, but it should never be the overriding purpose. When it does, it usually means you're making drivel for mass consumption, rather than special communications to those who can understand them.
I spent my entire adult life after college, where I earned a degree in engineering, wanting to write. In 2007 I acted on that and attempted to write my first novel. I bought and read a bookcase of books on the craft of writing, took classes, and tried to write something coherent. After 3 years I managed about 30,000 words into a novel that I didn't have a clue as to where it was going or how to end it. At that time I had no understanding how to really write a novel. Life got in the way and I stopped writing for a bunch of years. In 2015 my life changed again and I started writing seriously. I read a new raft of writing books, took classes, went to countless conferences, paid for writing help, and proceeded to write a novel that didn't sell. I wrote another novel I completed in 2020 and that got put aside during the pandemic as I had other things going on in my life. I started a third novel that I'm completing now and am working with an editor. I'd like to publish this book, hopefully sometime next year or in 2026.
I retired earlier this year so I can devote a lot more time to my writing. I have no fantasy of making money at it and fortunately I don't need to. I have what every new writer wants, a rich relative to fund their writing. The rich relative is me, or at least rich enough. My goal is to write good books and find readers which is why I started a Substack newsletter in August. I write military political technothrillers which is a bit of niche audience. Now I can focus on the love of writing and connecting with readers.
I hope the other writers reading this find their way to a happy place to create. Thanks for your essay!
Thank you so much, Bruce, for sharing your own journey and experience. I know it will encourage other writers as well to understand there are so many different paths on this creative journey.
Boy do I recognize this journey you’re on, and I think I totally understand your conclusion. Hell, you’ve probably read me saying some similar things. But we must push on, mustn’t we? (Though what “push on” means is up for debate). I appreciate the C.S. Lewis quote at the end, that captures it well for me.
Thanks, Tom, I remember reading your essay about going paid and how it would change your relationship with your writing. That definitely has happened with me, but I think it's an overall change as a result of us managing "the business" of writing. Even beyond getting paid, it's anything and everything related tangentially. Even posting Notes about my writing can be exhausting on some weeks. It will be interesting to see how I manage this next year and if I can recover some of what is being lost.
I know that I found it incredibly freeing to just not worry about subscriber counts or posting on a schedule. I just write when I’m moved and post when it’s ready. All it took was for me to change my perspective … the hardest thing of all! Good luck man, I wish you well.
Money can be the thief of joy. If you decide to take money for your art, you also need to find ways to do art simply for the joy of it. Or else art just becomes a job. And often a poor paying one. I teach music for a living, but I play music for joy. It can be tough to keep them separate at times. My band earns money, but I see it as a bonus, not the focus. I would never play in a band just for money. That is a job. I also play at home just for the love of it.
For me, the “tip” or “patron” strategy works best for my writing. I don’t paywall my Substack or promise regular extras to paying subscribers. If they want to support me, great, but it’s optional. That way I don’t feel any pressure to meet deadlines or produce extras. I do it for the joy of creating and the interaction with readers. That is the fun part for me. And I need creative outlets to stay sane.
The same idea goes for my books. I put them on my Substack for free. And on Amazon. If someone wants to buy one, great. If not fine. I am not counting on the money. But I love having created them.
I also take breaks if I need them. When I will often focus on another creative outlet. Or nothing at all.
I do miss that pure passion I had for learning guitar in the beginning. Same for writing. But life changes things and we have to find our way. Best wishes, Brian.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Mark! It sounds like you found a great balance. I'm certain I've leaned too far in one direction and I'm trying to get the pendulum to swing back the other way. It might mean my frequency is less consistent as I figure out my balance.
I have found that readers are very understanding. Early in my Substack journey, I was the one putting pressure on myself to produce more because I thought that was the only way. I burned out and had to take a break. I couldn’t write at all for six months. I took the paywall down and offered refunds. I started viewing writing as a creative outlet (hobby, which I consider essential things) and quit worrying about money and promotion. All of my paid subscribers understood and stayed. It is good to reevaluate frequently and adjust as needed. 🤓
I’ve always wanted to write but never did after my teens, so you’re making me think I might as well do it. No reason not to
There's nothing wrong with earning money from your creations, but it should never be the overriding purpose. When it does, it usually means you're making drivel for mass consumption, rather than special communications to those who can understand them.
I spent my entire adult life after college, where I earned a degree in engineering, wanting to write. In 2007 I acted on that and attempted to write my first novel. I bought and read a bookcase of books on the craft of writing, took classes, and tried to write something coherent. After 3 years I managed about 30,000 words into a novel that I didn't have a clue as to where it was going or how to end it. At that time I had no understanding how to really write a novel. Life got in the way and I stopped writing for a bunch of years. In 2015 my life changed again and I started writing seriously. I read a new raft of writing books, took classes, went to countless conferences, paid for writing help, and proceeded to write a novel that didn't sell. I wrote another novel I completed in 2020 and that got put aside during the pandemic as I had other things going on in my life. I started a third novel that I'm completing now and am working with an editor. I'd like to publish this book, hopefully sometime next year or in 2026.
I retired earlier this year so I can devote a lot more time to my writing. I have no fantasy of making money at it and fortunately I don't need to. I have what every new writer wants, a rich relative to fund their writing. The rich relative is me, or at least rich enough. My goal is to write good books and find readers which is why I started a Substack newsletter in August. I write military political technothrillers which is a bit of niche audience. Now I can focus on the love of writing and connecting with readers.
I hope the other writers reading this find their way to a happy place to create. Thanks for your essay!
Thank you so much, Bruce, for sharing your own journey and experience. I know it will encourage other writers as well to understand there are so many different paths on this creative journey.
Regardless of your publication strategy, I’m glad to hear that you are creating again. Don’t stop.
Thanks for the encouragement, John!
So, in your wisdom, you've discovered what philosopher Kieran Setiya calls the "atelic activity." https://www.aashaymody.com/on-the-wisdom-of-atelic-activities/
Great essay, Jeff! Thank you for sharing.
Boy do I recognize this journey you’re on, and I think I totally understand your conclusion. Hell, you’ve probably read me saying some similar things. But we must push on, mustn’t we? (Though what “push on” means is up for debate). I appreciate the C.S. Lewis quote at the end, that captures it well for me.
Thanks, Tom, I remember reading your essay about going paid and how it would change your relationship with your writing. That definitely has happened with me, but I think it's an overall change as a result of us managing "the business" of writing. Even beyond getting paid, it's anything and everything related tangentially. Even posting Notes about my writing can be exhausting on some weeks. It will be interesting to see how I manage this next year and if I can recover some of what is being lost.
I know that I found it incredibly freeing to just not worry about subscriber counts or posting on a schedule. I just write when I’m moved and post when it’s ready. All it took was for me to change my perspective … the hardest thing of all! Good luck man, I wish you well.
🔥🔥🔥
A lot to think about here.
How very cogent.
I can relate.