Writing 101 • Day 4 of 24: Why do you want to write?

Why do you write?

You’ve probably noticed that thus far, I’ve scrupulously avoided talking about the special considerations involved in writing science fiction and/or fantasy, the mechanics of story construction and plot, my six can’t-miss secrets for getting an editor to buy your story, or any of the many other things people usually promise to deliver in a writing workshop, webinar, or seminar.

The truth is, there is no occult incantation to be revealed that will instantly turn you into a bestselling author overnight. There is no secret handshake that gets you through the door and into the exclusive confines of the Famous Published Authors’ Club. If you want to become rich and/or famous by writing fiction, you’re going to have to work for it.

So before we go too much further down this path, I want you to dig deep into your inner being and answer this one crucial question, first:

Why do you want to be a writer?

There are a few outliers we can dismiss right away. You want to write because your inner demons are screaming to be released? That’s legit. Go read “They Tire of Waiting,” by Roni Stinger, and then get back to me. 

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One bit of advice, though: don’t put that reason in your cover letter or author’s bio. You may think it’s funny, but I’ve met far too many people in this trade who really do have a cacophony of voices in their head, compelling them to tell their stories. I’ve met people, usually at cons, who truly believe they are in telepathic communication with aliens from another planet, or beings from another plane of existence, or the souls of the recently dead, or the living spirit of Mother Gaia Herself…

I have received submissions with cover letters that began, “My therapist thought it might help if I wrote my ideas down and tried to publish them.” One truly unforgettable submission came from a state prison, with a cover letter that said, “My parole officer suggested I try writing down the stories in my head instead of acting them out.”

So, yeah. Not funny. Especially in the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and especially in SF/F/H fandom, you will meet a lot of people who could be living much happier lives, if only they would remember to keep taking their meds.

You will meet people who write stories because that’s how their OCD expresses itself. You will meet people who write because they apparently suffer from Tourette’s syndrome, complete with full-on coprolalia. You will meet people who are just plain delusional, and truly believe that they alone are unique visionary geniuses, and everyone else who fails to appreciate their genius is an idiot.

As I said: these people are outliers, and there’s not much we can do for them, except to save their submissions until the end of the reading period and then send them curt no-content form rejections, along with the statement that we are now closed to unsolicited submissions. Usually this is sufficient.

Usually.

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So, back to the question: why do you want to write? Is it because you want to make money by writing?  

That’s legit. We can work with that. I’ll have more to say on the subject later, but the short answer is:

if you want to make money by writing,

and if you don’t have much ego invested in exactly what you write,

and if you don’t have an emotional attachment to writing one particular story, or one set in one particular genre, sub-genre, or fictional world, 

then write non-fiction.

There is far more money to be made by writing non-fiction, provided you don’t mind that you will probably never get a byline. If seeing your name on the “Pay to the order of” line of a check is more important to you than seeing your name on a book cover or in a magazine’s table of contents: write non-fiction.

“No, wait!” you protest. “I don’t want to write just for money! I want a byline, too! I want recognition. And awards, honors, accolades and praise! I want readers to love my characters and stories as much as I love them!”

Ah. In other words, you seek validation.

This, I believe, is the real reason why so many of us feel the need to write fiction. Each of us lives entirely inside our own head, and let’s face it: it’s lonely in here. We crave connection with others, not just on a physical and transactional level, but on some deeper level we can’t easily define. We seek a true meeting of minds—

But since Mother Gaia inexplicably forgot to equip us with telepathy, we’re required to tell stories, to pose one of the fundamental questions of our existence:

“Hey! Is there anybody out there? Is anyone listening? Am I alone?”

While you’re pondering your answer to that question, please read “Is There Anybody Out There?” by L.N. Hunter.

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“Errm, yes,” I heard someone muttering in the back of the room. “But what if I want to write fiction and make money and be recognized for my work?”

Then, my friend, you are about to begin chasing through a decision tree of compromises and consequences, as you look for your comfort zone in the space between lucrative anonymity and artistically respectful poverty. Because—I hate to be the one to break it to you—writing fiction is a craft, which sometimes rises to the level of being an art, while publishing fiction is a business, and above all else, business people are notoriously loathe to losing money.

Old joke: 

Q: How do you make a small fortune in publishing?

A: Start with a large one.

And with that said, we’ll see you back here next Tuesday.

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And a reminder…

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Pete Wood Challenge #38, “Happy Trails,” is now open for entries!

The Challenge: Write a story of up to 150 words in length using the prompt, “happy trails.” The prompt does not need to appear in the story. Any genre is fine.

Prizes: 1st place $20.00 USD, 2nd place $15.00, 3rd place, $10.00, Honorable Mentions, (1-2) $5.00. The winning entries will be published online by Stupefying Stories in June of 2025.

Who can enter: The contest is open to both Codexians and the general public. One entry per writer, please.

How to enter: Send your entry in the body of an email to:

southernfriedsfwriter@gmail.com

Include the words “Happy Trails” in the subject line. It wouldn’t hurt to include “Pete Wood Challenge 38” or “PWC 38” in your email, too. 

Deadline: 7AM EST, May 15, 2025

Now get writing!

Categories: Writing 101