Writing for Money vs. Writing for pleasure

[L1th3rl+and]

An interesting question. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the luxury of a choice. We write because we are driven to write, because we have a story to tell, because there is something in us which must be communicated - and we make very little or nothing. For me, readership is the most important thing. I forget who it was that said, without readers books are just marks on a page, but it's true. That's why sites like this are so important and why even the supportive comments of one appreciative reader matter so much.
It's also why I try to read Indie books whenever time permits, usually a couple a month.

[slj3988]

I'd say there's a significant difference. When writing for income, you're catering to an audience. When writing for pleasure, you're writing for yourself, to express thoughts or to make something you'd want to read. At least, that's how I look at it.
Sadly, we rarely get the time to do both.

[sevencrows]

I think it's very hard to write if you don't enjoy what you're doing. Remember how it felt to write up reports for boring topics in school? It's the same thing, more or less--while some people write for money (and there's nothing wrong with that, especially because supporting yourself through the arts is so difficult for the average writer!), it's tedious if there isn't at least some joy in it. To some degree, in my opinion, there's a mixture of motivations.

[adamgreenrock]

When you write just for getting a quick buck, you tend to lose yourself and just writing the things you aren't passionate about. When you are writing something that you actually care about, it's always satisfying. You may not get paid more when you write for pleasure (It's like a 50/50 gamble), it's always better than trying to chase the latest trend.

You write what you want. At least, that's what I think.

[Frannie Annie]

I want to do both. I write for myself, but always had a dream of selling my books too. I think the key is to try selling books that you enjoy writing.

[Frannie Annie]

When you write just for getting a quick buck, you tend to lose yourself and just writing the things you aren't passionate about. When you are writing something that you actually care about, it's always satisfying. You may not get paid more when you write for pleasure (It's like a 50/50 gamble), it's always better than trying to chase the latest trend.

You write what you want. At least, that's what I think.

I agree. Although I want to write for money, I don't want that to be the main reason I create things. After all, that's what my day job is for.

[Amanda Majors]

I write for pleasure, because the money is not guaranteed. If you have a formula that normally spits out enough cash to pay the bills, then that works too.

[lunablue_x3]

What matters most to me is having exposure for my work. I don't write just for myself. I primarily write for others. I'm sharing my imagination to be interpreted by other individuals. I want to expose people to a different perception.
That being said, I don't give my work away for free. The pieces have value.

[lunablue_x3]

I think it's very hard to write if you don't enjoy what you're doing. Remember how it felt to write up reports for boring topics in school? It's the same thing, more or less--while some people write for money (and there's nothing wrong with that, especially because supporting yourself through the arts is so difficult for the average writer!), it's tedious if there isn't at least some joy in it. To some degree, in my opinion, there's a mixture of motivations.

I agree!