Why do you want to write a book?

By Dennis Mellersh

In addition to learning about how to write a book, you might also want to spend some time answering, to your own satisfaction, the question of why you want to write a book.

Is it: For the money a book might bring? Is it because wring a book is something that might be fun to do?

Or is it because you love writing and a book could enable you to express some of the ideas you consider important and get those ideas out to the wider reading public?

The fact that you are doing research on the concept of writing a book, and that you are reading this article, shows that you are serious about your writing and that your desire to write a book is more than just a vague idea on a wish-list.

Well, what about the financial aspect?

The famous 18th Century writer and literary critic Samuel Johnson once said, “No man, but a blockhead, ever wrote except for money.”

Johnson, however, did not always follow his own advice. Although he depended on writing and editing to earn his living, he nevertheless wrote without payment expected in numerous instances, in order to disseminate his ideas.

There is a saying about living life successfully which advises us that we should “Do what you love and the money will follow.”

In the case of writing a book, this might be stated as a formula: 
Love of writing + writing a book = money

While it is difficult to believe something that specific, it is true that all of us are much more likely to successfully make a living if we do something that we enjoy and take pride in doing.

Writing, particularly writing a book, is too difficult to pursue seriously if the only motive is to make money from it. There are easier ways to earn a living.

However, there are possible financial rewards if your book is successful.

Just make sure you are embarking on this journey for the enjoyment and because you feel passionately about it.

Writing your book will thereby be more invigorating and personally satisfying.

If you try to write a book only for the money it will just seem like a lot of work and might lead you do abandon your project.