Passion or Profession?

[bbonelli]

Do write for passion; a profession; or both? Let's take a survey. Please let me know and I will collect the results over the next week and provide feedback to this forum. BB

[mcs1040]

Passion which could be turned into a profession only if you can sell enough to live on. Unfortunately very few writers achieve it.

[bbonelli]

You speak truth - thank you, BB

[Loveabull]

I just finished a terrific book about writer Shelby Foote that explores that question. He spent most of his life researching and writing the essential retelling of the Civil War. By this time he was fully expecting the Pulitzer as a reward for his labors. The Pulitzer went to someone else. His past novels sold but the Civil War series was relegated to reference book status.

Growing older and worried about his son's financial future, he wrote what he considered a "potboiler" novel, something that would have commercial appeal. It sold reasonably well. Then he was featured in the Ken Burns series and all of a sudden he was a superstar writer and media darling. His books flew off the shelves and he was comfortable up to his death many years later. Moral of the story-ya do what ya gotta do...

[bbonelli]

Thank you Loveabull - not an unusual tale. Even in business, one can work hard in one direction only to achieve success from another effort - while the effort fueled by passion goes unnoticed. What I have found interesting in both business and writing, is that the passion is never foolishly spent. It always enhances your every effort, even if it is not recognized. Life is sometimes a mystery and at all times surprsing. Never give up on the passion. It exists in all one does. BB

[Age777]

I write for passion. If it becomes profession I no longer am able to continue writing. If I am passionate about my characters and story then I have to write it but when I put pressure on myself I get writer's block.

[bbonelli]

Thank yo for your thoughts - a vote for passion. BB

[lucyrebecca123]

Passion, though to do it as a profession would be a bonus!

[Starmy]

Passion which could be turned into a profession only if you can sell enough to live on. Unfortunately very few writers achieve it.

I completely agree. I am in this place with music. I have sold a few songs for very low prices so I doubt it will be enough to live on one day. So passion for me!

[bbonelli]

Thank you for your response. Keep going forward in pursuit of your dreams and fueled by your passion. We all understand that hard work and dedication will NOT guarantee success, but LACK of hard work and dedication will most certainly guarantee failure. BB

-- 27 Sep 2013, 07:05 --

It is the end of the week and thus far, passion is running 100%. Do you think this is due to the comeptition for recognition or because passion is the true path for most authors? BB

[Sarah1]

Passion