Someone is always asking me two things: Why do you write, and sometimes, followed by when are you going to get a real job? For this hub, the first question is most important. Why I write hinges on so many answers I'll list some of the answers I give to people. It can be in humor or in seriousness, or simple sarcasm, but I do answer. Why I answer the way I do depends upon the person, and when they asked in terms of the context of the discussion. Here are some of my more or less regular questions and my answers ( or my better ones)

"So do you make tons of money as a writer?" Gets the best answer of all, "Well I make enough to keep me happy and writing" In other words the best non-answer I can give. As many writers will tell you, if it pays the bills, and gets some form of income to them that's great.

I am this way.

"Why does writing take so long? You've been working pn a boko for a long time." My Answer: "Do you really want to read something that is full of errors both grammatically and factually?" When they answer "No" my responce is "that's why it's taking me longer than 6 months."

"When do you think you'll find a real job?" (this one is my snarky answer, no matter what the context) " I have a real job I am a writer. And yes people read my work." I don't mention how much time it takes to write a blog or a hub. You can go to my blogs to see what I do,Yes they've been up for a while. And yes, I write them myself.

In many ways these sort of questions encourage me, since people are asking them, soemtimes it is about making some money or publishing a book, normally when I'm in that phase my writing thakes a nose dive, but then I realize what I am doing.  Why I write.

The True reason I write?

For the love of writing, yes it's enjoyable for me, and I love it. The important thing is the writing encourages people to learn. Of course I write non-fiction so that might be why I'm so big on writing to share and to learn. I suspect that this will become a book, a lasting legacy.

My other reasons?:

I want to be a published author which means publishing a book or four. Creating a legacy within the writing community, one that I can be proud of and one that my family can be pleased of. A monetary Safety net will also be nice. It's all about...

Creating something special for me, for friends and family, and for my reading audience, which is you! Getting an audience is great, but that also means that I need to be aware that in getting an audience if I lose sight of why I write, is it worth it?

It isn't all about me, it's about you.

So Why do you write?

Do you write from your heart to an eager audience?

or do you write with an end in mind?

or do you plan for money?

Do you write with passion?

Do you plan various books only to stop after a while?

Or is ti something more?

What's you next step?