I heard a radio interview with a policeman last week. He said that serving as a peace officer was his passion. He couldn’t imagine doing anything else with his life. I realize that some of us are “called” to do certain types of work, such as nursing, fighting crime, volunteering within the community, building things, preaching, teaching… But it hadn’t occurred to me that there would be “passion” involved with something like police work.
Most of you reading this are authors. And you probably feel a passion for writing. If you’re like me, you can’t not write. It’s your creative outlet. The desire to write just bubbles out of you and it’s something that haunts you until you actually sit down and start writing. Only, there is no end. Your passion continues on after you finish your novel, write a few poems or complete your memoir. Is this you? Do you have a passion for writing?
Or are you writing simply to pass along information, share a concept or a story or preach, teach and nag on a topic of importance to you? Is your passion tied into the process of writing as it is for some of us or is it the passion for your topic or cause that excites you down to the bones?
I have been writing for over forty years. Early on, I discovered that I enjoyed composing stories and structuring articles so much that it felt almost sinful to spend time doing it. I was so in love with the process of writing that I had to find a way to justify doing it as often and for as many hours as I wanted. That’s why I started writing for publication. Well, then I got hooked on being published. The thrill and the challenge became almost as exciting for me as the process of writing. I guess that’s one reason why I was able to push through the constant rejection and keep on keeping on. (Well, there were many acceptances amidst the rejections—but as a writer, as many of you know, we do face rejection along the writing journey.)
I remember times when I was sitting at my electric typewriter composing a story or constructing an article and I would suddenly feel giddy because I was enjoying the work so much. I’d get a thrill from the creative process and watching the project come together. This still happens on occasion.
Forty years later, I still wake up eager to get to the computer and start my day of writing.
Over the years, however, my hands-on work requirement has changed somewhat. As an editor and teacher working with clients and students, a speaker and the head of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), I have a variety of responsibilities that are not writing-related. That’s why I enjoy writing this daily blog. I’m also currently working on a new ebooklet for you to download free from my website. I’m writing a few speeches for upcoming events. And, when I have time, I work on my latest novel—number four since last summer. What a joy this process has been.
So why do you write, is it your calling…spurred by a passion within your soul? I do meet authors who claim, “I am not a writer. But I just had to write this book.” The process of writing is more drudgery than pleasure for these people. But they are, no doubt, spurred on by their passion for their purpose.
Which author are you?
No matter where your passion and how strong your creativity urge, if you are writing or have written your book for publication, please educate yourself so you are prepared to succeed in the highly competitive publishing climate we’ve developed over the years. Read the book I wrote for you: “Publish Your Book, Proven Strategies and Resources for the Enterprising Author.” It’s at Amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio as well as at most other online and downtown bookstores.