What motivates you to write ?
There are quite a few things, I'd say, that motivate me to write.
I ENJOY IT
From the point I learned how to write, I've enjoyed doing it. Fiction writing is my first great love, but I've enjoyed writing opinion pieces, blogging about events or happenings in my life, and talking about other interests. I've also enjoyed answering questions on musing, and engaging with others in the comments.
ORGANIZING THOUGHTS
I think I express myself best when writing. I used to be pretty shy, and speaking up with people who weren't my family or close friends was difficult. Thankfully, for the most part, I've overcome that, but I would say that writing is still the way I can get my thoughts out the best. Being able to do so motivates me to write more, and it does actually help me to express myself better vocally, too.
UPVOTES/REWARDS/EARNINGS
If I could earn a living, provide for my wife and I, off of my writing, that would be the ultimate. So, STEEM has been the closest I've come to doing that. STEEM is more of an investment platform, and writing/blogging/vlogging are mostly not even the best ways to build stake here, but there's been enough to keep my interest piqued. At whatever point STEEM prices take off, I feel it will be worth the time and effort.
That said, I would love to have a job where I could write and earn a good income. Those gigs, unfortunately, are hard to come by. So upvotes definitely motivate me to write.
SHARING
I like to read people's reactions to what I write. STEEM has been one of the best places I've found for comments and interaction. That's not to say it's perfect, or always positive, but there are many users who are genuinely interested in what we write about. That's any writer's true dream—to get their stuff out there in front of someone and then talk with them about the details or finer points made. If it happened even more, that would be great.
I also like to reciprocate—when I read something that I've connected with, find compelling, or that is well written, I want to tell the creator of the post how I feel about it. So, I'm motivated to interact from both sides.
TO QUIET MY BRAIN
Thankfully it doesn't happen all the time, but I've gone days where a certain story line, or maybe multiple at time will pop in my head and then insist on being attended to. That probably sounds like I'm hearing voices, which isn't exactly the case, but there's definitely been some 'loud' thoughts up there. Until I get them out, it's hard to think of anything else. I might be able to shove them to the side for a while, but sooner or later, they'll be back. So, I'm motivated to write just to help clear my head.
TO HELP STEEM
In terms of what I've been doing here for over a year, I'm motivated to do my part to keep the STEEM social media platform as vibrant and interesting as I can. I'm not claiming to be the best in any of that, but I do believe I have something to offer at least. So, I feel like I should do all I can to keep things running, hoping that at some point, things will take off, and STEEM heads to mass adoption.
PURPOSE
I think we all need a purpose. Having a family and believing there's more after this life provides with purpose, so writing isn't the only one I have. However, since a lot of it has been online over the years, I get to be part of something in the macro on a regular basis. I get to express and exchange ideas, and hopefully for the better. Even fiction can help to convey thoughts and values, so I'm motivated to write in order to help try to make the world a better place.
THAT'S IT
There's probably something else I could add, but I can't think of it at the moment.
Maybe check into writing an ebook. I use to love writing. Now im just lazy and dont even like typing correctly. My journals have gotten me through some dark places tho. Great article, Resteemed. 🥠
It just so happens, @weirdheadaches, I have two ebooks written and currently for sale on Amazon. :) There's more to write, too, whenever I get back to them. I've been getting my need to write appeased through STEEM, so haven't been doing much with the longer form creative works lately.
Since I've been on STEEM, I've had quite a few bouts with what amounts to Writer's Block, but more in the vein of apathy (what's the point?), or being drained, because I've written more than I'm used to.
Lately, though, I've been working through that. Mostly, I think, because I was earning pretty well on Musing because they upvoted, too. But their big delegation got pulled and so lately, they've hardly upvoted at all, and so my earnings, along with user participation has plunged dramatically.
re: journals
I say keep it up then. Style and grammar aren't nearly as important as expression and feelings, so no need for them.
I'm glad you liked it, and thanks for the resteem. :)
Oh Sweet!
Send me the links if you dont mind? Id be interested to browse. Moneys a little tight so no promises. What genre are they?
Hey, no worries on the no promises. Reading is a time investment, as well as one of money, so I won't hold you to anything. It's kind of funny you bring it up, though, because the first book just had it's 7 year publishing anniversary, and the other hits six in March. :)
To be honest, I've had trouble picking the genre. I think it falls under the description of speculative fiction, but Amazon doesn't have that as a category you can pick. So, I generally identify it as Fantasy, with some mystery/thriller mixed in.
It's geared for a broad audience, so since it's not for mature or adult readers only, I've also had it in the young adult section, but more adults have actually read it than teens. :)
I have both priced at $3.99, and this link should take you to a page where you can hop back and forth to both.
That is Amazing!
Definitely will be giving a go when funds permit. Ive never been much into fantasy but love the titles. A few of my friends are big fantasy readers. Ive been on a hard copy/ "real paper book" kick lately. Love the smell of the pages. Ty so much for sharing. Mmmmm, 6 7 years ago? I think its time for another?...
There's a few good ones here mate...quiet your brain and purpose especially but also like enjoyment and organising thoughts. This is a good blog mate. I do it for these reasons too.
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I almost went as far to say I need to do it, @galenkp, but I've managed to do enough writing over the last year that the urgency of it has lessened to the point where it's nice to take a break from it. That didn't use to happen when I didn't write as much. :)
I'm glad you identify with some things on the list. Those who like writing should. Those who don't, well, that will be interesting to see what motivates them. If they actually leave a comment. :)
Finding interesting information and wanting to share it is probably my main driver. But yes, being rewarded for doing so goes a long with that too.
It's funny, but when you watch a movie or television show where the police officer or private investigator walks up to the bartender or snitch, and asks for information, it almost always ends up in a payment of some kind from the officer/investigator to the bartender/snitch.
I'm not saying that's how it works, but the idea is, information used to not be free. Now, with Google, free might be relative, but the illusion of free is there (even though Google is basically taking our search data and using it to help others market to us).
I was in the newspaper business for 15 years. You wanted to know what was going on in town, you paid for it. It's been like that for centuries. So, the idea of finding interesting information to share is definitely a reason to write, and to be compensated for it, however much that may be, is one, too.
Well the payment may not be in the form of hard-cash in a brown envelope, but I'll take the odd up-vote here and there :)
Hello @glenalbrethsen, thank you for sharing this creative work! We just stopped by to say that you've been upvoted by the @creativecrypto magazine. The Creative Crypto is all about art on the blockchain and learning from creatives like you. Looking forward to crossing paths again soon. Steem on!
I don't really know. Actually I don't like to write that much. But Steem motivates me somehow. Maybe because the rewards gamify the experience.
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I think receiving some kind of compensation for writing is a great motivation. It's hard to keep doing it beyond a hobby if you're not. I know. I've tried for most of my adult life!
So, anyone here who might say the money shouldn't matter, or those who think it does are somehow here for the wrong reasons are not being honest with themselves or others. People will find other reasons to stick around, and after a time, it might be less about the rewards, but without them, STEEM is nothing special. The fact that it has managed to attract, to a great degree, a higher caliber of people, is not because of the interfaces alone, but because of the potential of the blockchain, which along with elements of decentralization and free movement of money, also includes the earnings.
It's a package deal.
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STOPThose are reasons enough, and I say you are doing a good job so far. Keep writing, keep sharing your thoughts and ideas and stories.
I wish I am as eloquent as you are. Cheers!
I think you express yourself quite well, @quotes-haven. What makes you think you don't? Thank you for the kind words. I do hope to keep sharing as much as I can. :)
Thank you for your kind words. I am not the brightest light on the harbour. I don't have a flair for words. And English is complicated - grammars, tenses.... It's not my mother tongue. Sometimes, words don't flow, sometimes, I struggled to find the right words.
For me, posting on Steemit is a good way for me to practise my English, and to be more confident in my writing. :-)
English is very complicated, and I'm amazed anyone learns it, especially outside of English speaking countries. Most natives have trouble speaking it correctly. Most don't care. Maybe it's like that in most languages, I don't know, and maybe it's limited to the U.S., but we're not doing a whole lot to preserve our language, I don't think. We'll be communicating only in abbreviations and emojis if it keeps going the way it is.
As I said, I think you do great, especially when it's not your first language. And being able to write it in addition to your native tongue and whatever else you know is a bonus.
We all need a lot of practice. :)
Thank you for your vote of confidence. It means a lot to me. :-)
English is actually our first language, just not the mother tongue, which is why I feel so inadequate.
Anyhow, as you said - we need a lot of practice! :-)
I can definitely relate to these points as I am the same way regarding interactions socially as I rarely like to speak my mind. This experience has allowed me to open more and “free” myself to my thoughts. I also think that the thought of being part of a community also encouraged me to actively engage not only by posting on my blog but also visiting others and commenting. While I cannot visualize doing this for a living, I think that many can find that being a passion and should pursue it. Dreaming is great once you realize this is what you like!
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Hey, @newageinv.
It seems to boil down to, at this point in my life, just what will be accomplished by me saying something? I have plenty of say and input in the direction of my family and a few other things, and those are the people who know me and might listen to me (sometimes it's touch and go there :).
Here, I've had similar bouts with expressing things (such as this latest row between quite a few community members/witnesses and Steemit Inc. I've felt like I should write something, but as of yet, I've not mustered the whatever to post about it. I've been leaving comments behind (some of them probably approaching post size), so I haven't been entirely silent, with a of that being strategic in nature. I feel like my comments on posts of more established user's are more likely to see a wider audience than it is if I post on my own.
However, politics of STEEM aside, I, with you, have been expressing thoughts and opinions on other things, so it is good to get out of one's own head on a frequent basis, get around to others and what's going on with them and then offer a thought or three.
re: earning a living through writing
I've been dreaming for a long time. STEEM is the closest I've come so far after forty years of wanting to and eight years of trying in some fashion to some degree. Still working on the "make a living" part. :)
Thay is most of it right there. I've always enjoyed reading and writing as a pastime so steemit is a natural fit. I'm not here to get rich but if there is mo ey to be made while doing something enjoyable I would be mad not to.
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I totally agree with that, @niallon11. Why not?
And really, as far as the social media side of STEEM goes, if we're not finding motivation to post, we're not likely to continue, but go elsewhere seeking whatever it is that motivates us.
So, I found this to be a good exercise, to put down in words the things that do motivate me. And some of you find the same things to be motivators, which is not surprising, since most of what I put here could be more or less universal. :)
Howdy sir Glen! Mr. Loud Thoughts. lol that has to be a common writer's phenomenon doesn't it? What about writing articles for online magazines and sites like we see all the time on any topic imaginable? What does that take?
I don't know if it's common or not. I've read of authors mentioning their head being crowded with ideas, but others struggle with coming up with them or can't seem to extract the ones they do have. So, I think it's more of a mixed bag, really, without sitting down and taking a poll (or reading where someone else did).
re: online magazines
I don't know, really, since I've never done it. :) Personally, I think I could probably cover a decent range of topics, but I don't know what the barriers to entry are, or just how available those kinds of opportunities are.
I receive emails from Indeed on a regular basis of local writing opportunities (and they run the gambit really—not all of them are exclusively writing, but the word writing is in the description so I get them), and for the most part, they're all over the place as far as what they want with education, experience, motivation, hours and pay.
As it is, I feel like I do best with some structure, but not a whole lot. Suggestions for topics would be fine, but saying, we need to strictly adhere to this posting schedule would probably burn me out, unless I was extremely interested and/or knowledgeable in those areas. Because if you're not, you end up doing a lot of reading and research, and while I do enjoy learning things, I don't necessarily like to do it just to turn around and regurgitate the information in the form of an article for an audience that will probably no more about the topic and their counter arguments or key components than I do.
Howdy again sir Glen! yes, I guess every writer is different and gets inspiration in different ways. I like the loud thoughts process myself! Not that I get them but are you able to write them down as they form or as you hear them. Or when you start writing you don't hear them anymore? At that point they probably just come through your fingers!
I was curious about the articles we see online and thought you might have some contacts. I'm not interested but with the wide variety that is out there it seems like it would be perfect for you.
I'm not entirely sure how to describe it, other than it can come as a dump of information, where I'm typing to try to keep up, and then there are times where it's much slower, where I'm trying to pull the information out. The thoughts do get softer as I write a story, but others than fill in the void. It's like they're in their fighting for dominance.
re: online magazines
I can do articles with facts and figures and so forth. It's not my favorite thing to do, though. Fiction first, then opinions, a feature kind of story, where it's kind of a blend of creative work with facts, and then straight up writing information. The latter isn't that challenging, though. I guess the hardest part would be taking raw data and presenting it in a logical, coherent way, but distilling facts and organizing them is something I've done for a long time so it's not a big deal, really. :)
Howdy sir Glen! So in other words you can handle any kind of writing or writing assignment! That's the way I see it anyway.
Hey is musing still operating and paying?
Well, I wouldn't say that. :) Technical writing is not something I've ever really done, and neither have I tried grant writing. And there are probably others. However, of the majority that most people might want to or be called upon to do, I can probably handle it. :)
Musing is still up and running, but they're no longer upvoting anything. The founder commented on their discord channel that for now, they're just going to stop upvoting. He's essentially waiting on some kind of token (not sure if SMT-based, something else, or one of his own), which means who knows when any of that happens. Sounds like he was paying curators out of pocket and his savings ran out. So the platform is still there, a few are still asking questions, a few more are answering, but that's about it.
I guess they have some kind of user reputation ranking system that they use and said that once the token was in place, that users would be rewarded accordingly. Not sure what that means, particularly, but anyway. It's probably going to be a long wait. :)
Howdy sir Glen! sorry for the late reply, dang internet service was out for almost 2 days so basically I lost 2 days on here. So you are still doing some on Musing in hopes that he will pay some day?
Sorry to hear about the internet outages. I hope things stay up and running so you can do some catching up. :)
I'm not really doing Musing with any expectation of compensation. At this point, if it happens, it happens, but I'm not all that into taking another token as reward unless it's somehow tied to STEEM and redeemable that way. I'm already dealing with one undervalued crypto coin, so I don't need to have another. :)
Mainly, I'm checking Musing to see if there's questions I can answer and see if those who are still around can help to keep it going. I'm not really sure at this point what's going to happen to it, but if it can last, I'd like to see it do that.