On A Writer's Desk: July 2019

I often hear people tell me, oh you write, it must be a fun hobby. But is it truly a hobby?

By the definition given on Wikipedia: A hobby is a regular activity done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time, not professionally and not for pay. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing other amusements. Participation in hobbies encourages acquiring substantial skills and knowledge in that area.

When I sit down to write, yes I do it for enjoyment, but I also do it with the expressed idea at some point I am going to make money from it. Which leads me to question my own intent. Is it a hobby I can make money from? Or is it something which I wish to actually be able to support myself and family with?
Is the money the driving force when I sit down to write? Or is simply the enjoyment and thrill of creating something which is a motivating factor.

If its the money driving you? How much money do you need to consider it a career? What are the goals you have to meet to ensure you reach the financial benefit you want? How many sales do you have to make on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis?

I want to be clear here, you can have a career as a hobby and vice versa, there isn't anything to say you can't. There are a lot of people who make their hobbies their primary career and do it with flair and no small amount of success.

These are questions every author must ask. Deciding is an extremely personal and emotional path, and the answers will ultimately ensure one is faced with an even larger group of questions. Let's break it down even further.

Is my writing a hobby?

Writing as a hobby is not a negative in my opinion. Hobbies are healthy, productive events which allow us to have positive brain activity. But I get up every day, get ready and go to work at the day job only to come home and dabble here and there with it.

Is it something which isn't a prime focus? If you answered yes to any of these questions perhaps your writing is a hobby. Or maybe its something you work on because you haven't decided to make it a career.

But I only write for myself. My writing isn't good enough. I've heard these before, let me tell you a little secret I said those words myself. Writing, telling stories was something I did to relieve stress, to express myself, and yet deep within my heart, I knew at some point I wanted to share my stories.

So I had to make a choice - do I keep considering my writing a hobby, a side venture or do I make it more? The true decision is only something, I as the author could make. I chose to try and make it a career.

Oh my goodness, a career as an author?

Have a career as an author is a major undertaking. You have to be dedicated to the hard work, the hours you'll put in, and comprehension you are your own boss. There has to be an understanding of what you need vs want from writing.

Not only in a creative manner but also in a financial one. How much do you need to make on a daily, weekly, monthly basis to ensure your bills are paid? Now, how do you take that number and equate it to how many sales you need?

Marketing and promotion will become a double-edged sword as you work to get your book title out there before readers. Remember, however, you're not simply promoting a book but the whole brand. And that is you. Connect with your readers, focus on making relationships and not simply sales. You will love it and hate it but eventually, it becomes second nature.

Awareness and desire will guide you in the direction you want to go in. Follow your heart and it will guide you down the path best suited to what you're meant to do.

On A Writer's Desk

Saturday, July 27, 2019

Is It A Career or A Hobby?

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