Why do you write?

[View in browser](=.Wao1m-1BZK4FOdbZKuemcM_Y84AkzCjx__XzAaF1ugk) A lot of online writing spaces generate conflict around one special issue: The idea that all writing is Art. So people ask questions, but then get annoyed when offered practical solutions. Most people will also say, they don't want to sell books, they don't care if they make money... they just want people to read and enjoy their work. But the truth is - these are the same goals. You have to sell books, before people will read them. And there are very obvious, consistent themes, trends and strategies widely employed by bestselling books in every genre. These are the things that readers like, expect and hope for - it's very difficult to write successful books if you aren't aware of, or even trying to include, the things readers are actively paying for. Of course, you don't *have* to write for other people at all. You can do it for your own pleasure. But that can get complicated later, when you try to publish and market it. There's romantic concept that the books written with passion will inevitably succeed in the marketplace of human interests, and this hopeful optimism may help you finish your first book. But what about the 3rd, or 10th? If your books still aren't selling, will you blame readers or decide to improve the one thing you can actually control, and get better at the craft of writing? BookCraft ($0.99 sale!) I put myself through grad school with publishing and book marketing services, but wanted to switch gears and write for a living. After launching a few dozen novels and editing over a hundred more, I attempted to write a [Big Book about the Craft of Writing](=.AW7tbtpobWMYYPaXNOLTYXDk5ZYOmKgF89XYDQCkpB4). I didn't get everything right, so I spent a month revising and organizing it so it's a little less of what readers didn't enjoy and a little more of the practical writing advice they actually wanted. And it's on sale for $0.99 cents, but the price will increase by a dollar every day until it's back at full price, so I really hope it's useful. =.YfnEib11a_BhCUmIOLyQRtG7_CodIfetktCIXJAGsp8 Just for fun, I also made an audiobook by cloning my own voice. I used the original version, so it's a bit more pretentious than the modified edition on Amazon. If you'd like to learn more about making audiobooks like this, I have a [big messy blog post](=.DbvZK29Y0thma5C5mNMcseaXPlRuciR-FxDrzclqcWM) about the process. =.OQwzaut7aDMGqsyLWsjc11wlsTLAwL-m8ZUqwbfWyhY Stay Creative! Derek Murphy @creativindie [facebook](=.y63PnBWCEYEM7CCIWPI17q3-x2pMI4_PYiuTFrpb5n0) [twitter](=.Ttu5S9osGy9Dphw4y1W2X_-HYubUL5qv3aDb4TWqs3g) [youtube](=.SyGRzqqWbhPgF8x9LNoI5AL-dub39JanJnEZlHfAdrE) =.Tw7-1uZcnzWy6twGAR4gshRbfF2jrqQ_3ROgB7q28cI [Share to Facebook](=.70BYoSM72m1OEcNa_vor2OE7JMJFPnUUt25rxvDHzXA) =.L6sbgU3hb92Tabf320G0-ARAe4OALa2bibhpdeTDhb8 [Share to Twitter](=.2wkGBYDx62LYhsW3X2n18dNeiaQc8enENwQCErPEMVY) =._m0cnjMslA-WBiEsNVqjecBCQbFuGMXlvf8d35uQVX4 [Forward email](=.168HnEyZW2M_brKve1hyvQJl14Iop_zP-rjwHHNHEQs) Do not want to see it again? [Unsubscribe](=.9Ufw3ySwz70uUXNCm2EgPNrku4h6JBhuB4vFkEb3ODM) Derek Murphy [Creativindie.com](=.EHUuJpryLHb9nrgooR0VNK85QLybV3Vheb6r9yz0Z7Q)Â | Portland, OR Location Independent - Usually in a castle or cabin.