Write to the Market or What's on Your Heart?

freedigitalphotos.net

What if a story is burning inside you, you write it down, and everyone rolls their eyes at it, mocks you, tells you what a piece of garbage that story is...but one single reader is so moved by that tale, it draws them closer to God.

Would you still write it? Should you?

Question: Why is publication by a major publisher the accepted validation badge over one changed soul?

Answer: In a perfect world, it shouldn't be.

Too bad we don't live in a perfect world.

So here we are, with the same old quandary. Should an author write what the market will buy or pen the story that's captured their heart? It's wonderful when those two coincide...and also rare. What to do?

There are the usual options:

• write what's selling until you get your foot in the door, then write what you want
• self publish
• write the book of your heart, and if it doesn't sell, shelve it until that topic/genre is trendy

I don't think you can decide which route to go until you figure out what's at the core of your writing soul. Why do you write? Is it to make money or to make art? There's a difference.

Seth Godin says:

"Do your art. But don't wreck your art if it doesn't lend itself to paying the bills. That would be a tragedy."

I understand that in this economy making money is more important than ever...but that doesn't mean writing must be your sole cash cow, especially if the money-making side of writing is sucking the joy out of the experience.

I'll leave you with two words to mull over, swish around in your mouth, and see what kind of taste they leave. Only you can decide which writing road you should take.

Stay true.