Do you want to write a book to be famous or rich?

 

 

One of the reasons people dream of writing books is the chance to become a best-selling author. It’s a lofty dream, but not everyone is going to reach that brass ring. Let’s face it, there are thousands upon thousands of books that get published each year and having your book zoom to the top of the best-seller lists is about as likely as winning the lottery.

Not that there’s anything wrong with dreaming big, even if the chances of becoming the next Stephen King or James Patterson are slim at best.

The point is, if you really want to write, you don’t do it because you want to be famous or make a lot of money. There are many other paths – and I dare say, easier ones to choose – to attain either celebritydom or riches.

Hopefully, you want to write because you have a passion for it. Maybe you wake up at four in the morning with that incredible itch of writing a book. It could well be that this crazy itch is something that’s been with you for many years. You have a story to tell, and it’s bursting to get out.

The question is: Have you done anything to soothe that annoying feeling? Are you at least taking steps to do something?

Writing, as I’ve often said, is a journey. And if you’re going to take that journey, it should be one worth going on. Don’t write a book for all the wrong reasons – to prove to others that you can do it, to become rich or famous. Sure, you might make it as a very successful author. But chances are you won’t.

Of course, if you dream of running with the beautiful people and appearing on national talk shows and living the high life in The Hamptons and you have the passion for writing a book. Great. Go for it.

But again, the passion has to be there. After all, the only way to sustain oneself toward any long-term goal is to want to do it. And it will a lot easier if it’s a joyride rather than a grueling trip.

Is your passion there?