Do you write to publish, or do you write to write?

I've often wondered.

There are many, many writers out there. Lots of them.

Some are published authors, a lot more aren't.

Some work hard to become published, for some being published is everything, and if it doesn't happen in a certain timeframe, they get frustrated and in some cases, give up.

Others…just don't care.

Yes, you read that right. They don't care.

In a way, although I have my second book coming out in June, I'm in the latter category.

I find joy in spinning tales, working out the details, chasing after the strangest "What if's" I can find, getting to know my characters…and writing it all down.

That's what turns me on.

Yes, selling a book is a great feeling, don't get me wrong.

Hearing back from a complete stranger who tells you they enjoyed your book — priceless.

It's not why I do it. It's not why I write.

I think when writing becomes your day job, things change. The pressure is on.

Not only to produce more books, but to produce stories that sell.

Often you get niched, as well. Your publisher wants stories from you which will fit the particular drawer you've written yourself into.

I'm leery of that. I don't want to write one genre and become known as "writes paranormal", because that means I have to write paranormal.

But I like to write Fantasy, too. And Futuristic. And sometimes historical, contemporary, and yes, comedy.

That's why I don't care about whether what I write is published or not.

It's a goal, certainly, but it definitely isn't the reason I write.

These days it's very easy to become published. Self publishing is accessible to anyone, and there are virtually no restrictions on what you can put out there.

Unfortunately, this also means there are no in-built controls, and a lot of what is out there is complete and utter tripe, and should never have seen the light of day.

Let alone be available for people to buy.

For many years, and in some respects even now, electronic publishing holds the same stigma.

But it has controls, some better than others, but the companies aren't likely putting money into developing an author if they're no good.

Every time NaNo comes around, editors cringe.

I cringe right along with them.

Some books written during NaNo are very, very good.

Most aren't, but they are still being sent off to editors, and sometimes, failing acceptance, self published.

As is. With every punctuation mark error still there, with no editing whatsoever.

While it's okay for me to have stuff like that sitting on my hard drive, it's another thing entirely to put it out there for general consumption.

Those are the ones I mean when I say "Must be published at all cost".

I'm definitely not in that category. If it's no good, it stays safely on my drive.

Recognizing what is, and what isn't publishable is sometimes difficult, but if you're not sure, err on the side of caution.

Seek advice. There are places out there where you can find critique partners, or groups. There are editing services too, but be sure you research them carefully.

Whatever you do, put in some controls yourself, before you go down the route of self publishing.

Take advice, even if you don't like what you're told.

But most of all, write because you want to write. Write because you want to tell a great story.

Not because you want to be published.