Do It For You

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about Barry Longyear. In talking with writers, I shared his lesson that art has to please you first, feed your soul. Other “goals” can lead you to ruin if you put them first.

I won’t go into the reasons. They’re no secret. Barry discussed them extensively in Saint Mary Blue and in his blog Life Sucks Better Clean. So I don’t need to rehash what he tells so much better.

But I think the lesson is important. Bradbury said something similar in the video I just rewatched: If writing isn’t fun, go do something else.

Even if you prefer to write books of anguish and introspection or something you think is important, do it if that’s what YOU prefer, not because you think you “should.”

If your writing doesn’t satisfy you, write something that does. That doesn’t always seem easy, but you need that.