What pays? Fame, Money or Self-Satisfaction

We all have a reason for what we do and why we do, whatever we are doing. Alright! That’s a confusing beginning line, isn’t it? I was once in this deep confusion until I decided what makes me happy. Let me explain.

I started writing since the time I could hold a pen in my hands, now please do not ask how about the pencil ages, because I alone have no memory of that! So, as I was telling, I started to write tidbit of jokes to children magazine, essays in school journals and competitions, and my infamous personal diary which could actually be made into one huge blockbuster movie (kidding). Since then I had always written and whatever appreciation I got from people pushed me further to write better.

Am all but human and could not be satisfied with just appreciation of people around. Truth be told that also stops over time because we become famous writers among our friends and families circle and they decide we do not need any more appreciation because we got the whole world over the internet to read our works.

So with appreciation, I decided to make some cash and probably get paid regularly, maybe hold a job and become a great professional writer. Oh! Well, I did begin with a good profession as a technical writer in a software company, which promised good pay and good future.

But it turned out to be a roller coaster ride for me and I realized am not a technical writer and I actually like to write simple things; things which people read to enjoy, have fun, relax, or probably even to learn something (learn something non-technical is what I mean here, maybe a recipe, why not!), So I quit the mega Job which had huge promises of great career. I started to work as a freelance content writer on non-technical topics both as a ghost- writer and for direct publishing. When I worked as a ghost-writer the pay was good, but I never got to see where my works published or were used. When I wrote for websites which gave a name and fame, the pay was unsatisfactory. So I started to do some math here to find my satisfaction as what is it I want. Is it getting well established becoming my name well-known is more important or screw with the name and try making some fast bucks. Honestly, I could not come to a conclusion because both seemed like a need and that might sound greedy. However, I guess when we become famous money might follow eventually, but that road seems like so far-fetched.

Nevertheless, after writing for years, what I realised is neither money nor name gives the satisfaction. It is sheer the thrill of putting your thoughts to the paper with your pen (Er! Typing it on your laptop docs) and let it swim along many readers to be read. It’s satisfaction, when those thoughts in our head, which is so full, is unloaded and can be re-read leisurely. It is satisfaction when the words flow freely in your mind like a song and gives shape to your thoughts. (Not that a little appreciation, will not make me happy, because if I say so, you will know that I am lying). But to write freely and to enjoy it, is itself a gift.

So here I am, not getting any richer or not becoming any famous, still finding the joy of writing my thoughts with beautiful words that give a lot of meaning in our lives.

So, what gives for you to write if you are a writer too? Or if you are in a different profession what is it that keeps motivating you to do what you do? Share your motivational secrets and inspire others too.

Stay motivated!

Happy writing!