I write because I want people to value my thoughts. Is it because I have self-worth issues? Maybe, but more than that I think it’s that the brain is a lonely place. I am a family man, and my wife and kids know me very well. There is a privacy in thoughts, however, that you can’t really convey well in daily banter. So, I write.
I’d love to be a career writer. No, I’m not saying that fishing for praise or criticism, but rather to lead into the reason I’m rather afraid to do it. Does writing for cash ruin the craft? See, on another level, I love technology. I speak computer. If you’re one of those people that just understand what a computer is or isn’t doing, you know what I mean. I have almost an intuition regarding computer problems, and I’ve never met a problem I couldn’t fix. (Boy was that conceited…) I logically took a career in the computer industry. I’m a Technology Director for a K12 school district. I like computers a lot less than I used to. Really.
Is writing the same? I LOVE to write. I may not have a natural flare for writing like I have for computer repair (again, not fishing for compliments or scorn), but I love it. It fulfills me, and I love to have people read my work. It’s a feeling I can’t explain. Maybe it’s deep seated in a psychological need for acceptance, I dunno, but it gives me joy. If I had to write for a paycheck, would I enjoy it as much? I really don’t know that answer.
Thankfully, I can write as much as or as little as I want. And if you are reading this, at least one person is reading my stuff. 🙂 (Sorry I make you read my blog Donna, you’re very sweet to do so without falling asleep)
Maybe someday I’ll be able to report on whether getting paid for writing ruins it. But today, I’ll just click publish, make a cup of coffee, and enjoy my Saturday.