It’s been many years since I last wrote any science fiction, but it’s something I intend to take up on a pretty serious basis when I’m retired. Which will be in two years. Or maybe three. Or maybe ten, I’m not so sure any more.
Anyway, when I mention from time to time that I enjoy writing and plan to do it someday, people inevitably ask if I hope to be published, and show up on bookshelves at the neighborhood Barnes & Noble or whatever. And I always answer no, that’s not really my goal.
Seth Godin summed it up neatly in a blog post today:
If you love writing or making music or blogging or any sort of performing art, then do it. Do it with everything you’ve got. Just don’t plan on using it as a shortcut to making a living. The only people who should plan on making money from writing a book are people who made money on their last book.
(And here’s a shout-out to Thom, who is always thinking about putting together some music but seems to find reasons– just as I do– to put it off a little longer. Just do it.)