I don't want this to come off as a "woe is me" post. It's not about the 'woe.' It's about how you know...
I've been in the world a while and for most of that while I've been typing on a keyboard. One thing that's not good for is the wrists. Yep, carpal tunnel.
The funny thing is that it started with my left wrist. And I'm right handed. Go figure. But I went to CVS and picked up a brace for my left wrist. For a while I wore it all day. But it was tough to do things. So finally, I just wore it at night.
Guess what? Today, I finally had to break down and buy one for the right hand. Yep. My dominant hand is playing follow the leader. Seeing a doctor for tests and prescriptions or having surgery isn't an option currently. Today's about "do it yourself" treatment.
I tried wearing both of 'em for a while. But you know what? They get in the way. And they get in the way MORE with my right hand. So, I decided I'll put 'em on at night, sometime after my bath, when I'm starting to wind down on writing for the day. Because if it interferes with writing, then it's gotta go.
I joke all the time about how I'd love not to be doing my day job. And carpal tunnel is one of those things that could be disabling. So I could apply for disability. But you know what? That wouldn't be a dream at all. It'd be more of a nightmare. How could that possibly be, you ask?
Well, it's because hurting a little or a lot - I'd write. I'd write whether anyone bought my stuff or not. Because - I'm a writer. It's not what I do. It's who I am.
People in the e-age have some perception that writing is glamorous or that it'll make you rich. Truthfully, writing is not a'tall glamorous. It's something you're doing while the clothes are in the washer. And you're usually in sweats and a comfy shirt. And your world shrinks to the size of a computer. There are no photographers chasing you or fans begging for an autograph. And no Brinks truck is showing up to throw money at you. I'm still tickled every single time a number changes at Amazon or Smashwords. Every sale makes me say a silent "thank you" to the reader.
While I wouldn't mind making a lot of money, I'd sure hate to lose that sense of wonder every time some mysterious person somewhere in the world hit the buy button. And I could think about that reader just starting a journey over the top with a love story by the crazy Duck Lady.
If you're writing because you're chasing fame or fortune - then you're not going to be writing long. Because writing is not a means to an end - writing is the end itself. Writing is not the vehicle that will get you to riches and independence. Writing is riches and independence. It's more than the journey - writing itself is the reward.
Mostly, writing is just me, my imagination, my aching wrists and the machine. And that's better than okay. That's everything.
Although writing full time is my dream job, it's more than that. It's not just what I do - it's who I am. That's what I wish for my sons. Find what makes you who you are and then try to make money doing that. Because whether it's a hobby or a career, your life won't be the same without it. There might not even be life without it. You are who you are and I am who I am. Let's celebrate that. Let's pursue that.
But, if I get stuck in my day job for the rest of my working life, I'll still come home at night, sit down at my laptop and write stories where two people find out that each is the other's happily ever after.
Don't write because you can. Only write if you have to. There are many easier routes to fortune and fame.
Only write if you're a writer.