Why is everyone trying to write books these days?

Question

I don't get why everyone is trying to get published at the moment. The ones I really don't get are the ones that ask questions like "I want to write a book but don't know what to write about" How weird is that? Surely, a person writes a book because they have a really good story they just have to tell. My stories keep me awake at night if I don't try to write them. Are people really silly enough to believe that writing books is a nice easy way to make some dosh?

For those considering taking the plunge, think twice, it'll take over your life and own you. And it's just darn hard work!!

Answer 1

Leah, the problem is that people only see the big name authors and think that writing is the "easy" way to celebrity. There is a misconception that anyone can pick up a pen and write a book, and that if you publish a book you will get rich. Sadly, the majority of these so-called writers don't even like reading. And it shows in their work.

Writing is both a craft and a passion. You are right when you say a true author is borderline obbessive when it comes to their work. It becomes our baby. It becomes part of what we are. It is not just something we do.

But it is also a craft, and people fail to realize that like any craft it requires dedication and hard work. Half these people don't even have the dedication to bother searching to see if their question has already been answered 500 times when they ask "How do I publish my book?" If they are so lazy that they can't use the search function or go to the library, they have no business killing trees for paper.

Answer 2

I write books and get them published, via Lulu.com. I can see what you mean and I think maybe that is why the real vanity and traditional publishers are being so harsh on the public that want to get published because there are too many who want it.

I would agree with some that it is to make money but when I started out I didn't even think of money, I just wanted to share my thoughts and writing with others. Yes the attention is quite nice but that's not what I want.

Answer 3

Good question!
I've been writing since I first learned how to form sentences and put them on paper. I think a true writer is compelled to create stories, not necessarily publish them.

I know far too many people who think writing is an easy way to make a quick buck. I've been writing for publication since 2000 and I know very well that there's little money to be made, even with blood, sweat, tears and extreme perseverance.

As for the people on here who ask about publishing, I try to respond to their questions with basic information that helped me when I started. Yahoo! Answers wasn't around back then. I had to get off my butt and research it all for myself, starting with the purchase of my very first copy of Writer's Market.

So it's always a relief to find someone like you who identifies with the urge to write and understands how tough it is.

Answer 4

I love to write stories about everything under the sun, especially when it's a children's story. I wrote maybe 20 stories since I was six years old and so far people say that I'm really good at it.

People want to write books these days, because they want to be noticed and be successful in life. They want to feel what the other authors feel if they are writing a book. They want to enjoy. They want to be like JK Rowling, wow a billionaire author. They want to make a best-selling book one day and they want to be rich (of course, who doesn't like to get rich?).

Writing is my hobby and I want it to grow more into a serious matter. Well, it is not my focus in life, but I'd like to write different kinds of stories and whoever will gonna read my books will surely gonna enjoy it like I enjoyed writing it. hehehe :-)

Answer 5

I like to think that most of them imagine it's akin to winning the lottery. They look at people like Stephen King and J.K. Rowling and see that they're rich, and they want that lifestyle. What they don't know, however, is that the vast majority of writers don't ever become rich, and many of them need second jobs to survive.

But really, they see it as being some kind of easy ticket, all they have to do is write that next great american novel, get it published, and they'll be set for life. Ha.

Answer 6

People get stuck in office jobs and suddenly decide that their true calling was writing...

Or they see JK Rowling and think it must be easy to make millions from writing a kids book when in reality, writing something thats good enough, and getting it published is one of the hardest things you can choose to do.

Answer 7

I've been an author for several years now. I write as a hobby. I have had several short stories and magazine articles published. I mostly write because I enjoy it. It's almost impossible (statistically speaking) to make any real money as an author (about 0.05% of authors can write as their sole profession).
I have several great plots I plan to write as novels, indeed I have too many. One day I might write a book of plot outlines to sell to people who want to write books but have no subject.

Answer 8

Everyone believes they have a story to tell and they can tell it better than anyone else. With the internet, it isn't just friends and family telling you about their great story idea, it's every Tom, Dick, Harry, Maureen, Mary, Tabitha, well...you get the picture.

The key word in your question is the word "trying". Why is everyone "trying"? I think it was Yoda that said, "There is no try, only do."

And it does sound like easy money, while the reality is much different.

Answer 9

Yup. They see writing as a means for getting more money. The reason more people are trying is more people have what they think are the necessary tools and access to an audience via the internet.

As professional writers, we know that less than 3% of new writers will ever finish writing a story. Of those, only about 25% will ever submit one. Of that 25%, only 2% will get published. And only 5% of ALL professional writers make their living by writing.

Sometimes I wonder why I started with all those odds against me, but (like you) I had stories to tell and characters that wouldn't shut up.

I did get Donal to be quiet after I left him pinned to the floor with a sword through his chest. It lasted a week, I think. Unfortunately, his father was in a rage that someone had tried to kill his son and I ended up writing 30 pages that day, then crawling back into bed to sleep off the effects.

Answer 10

Who are you to decide whether or not people should write or not? Why are you so arrogant? Oh - and Loryntoo - how come your books sound so derivative and rubbish? The only ones I can find on Amazon - one is self-published and the other is porn! Your award is for a book that is only available online. Very good - please refrain from boasting about your 'achievements' when answering questions in future eh?