Give it up?

Recently, I've come across an author who has decided to give up writing fiction.


While I respect her decision, that's something I could never do, but it does give me an idea.


I will always write. I wrote for years without even considering publication, it didn't matter. It wasn't part of my life.


When I did write with publication in mind, I had a different attitude.
I'm asking people to pay good money for my work, so all the self
indulgence had to go, and I had to have a more professional attitude.
That meant looking at markets, producing a book regularly, a proper
working day.


I still love it, and I think all the discipline has actually raised my game. I'm certainly happier with the way I'm writing.


But could I give up writing? Hell, no!


However, I've seen writers in despair, because they can't find an
agent, can't find a publisher, can't find a home for their work. So my
advice would be to give yourself a holiday from that.


Just write. Remind yourself why you do this, how much you love it.
Forget markets, forget the business and just give yourself permission
to write, something you care about that doesn't fit anywhere, or do
anything except maybe hone your craft a little, and free up your voice.


You never know, you might end up with your first published book! But
it doesn't matter. If you don't, you have reminded yourself just why
you put yourself through this torture, what is at the heart of your
writing, why you do it.


And if you find yourself writing nothing, don't despair. Perhaps that
was the break you needed and you'll come back refreshed, or even find
yourself turning in another direction.

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