“Write for Yourself” — And Why It’s Time to Rethink That Advice

🖋️ DAR
ILLUMINATION
Published in
3 min read6 days ago

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Writing for yourself is cool and all, but this advice is so unhelpful to those trying to survive. Here are 4 places to start writing for money!

“Write for Yourself” — The Harmful Advice Keeping Writers in the Shadows The advice to “write for yourself” is often touted as the ultimate mantra for writers, but it can do more harm than good. While the intention might be to encourage passion and authenticity, in reality, this advice can make writers feel ashamed of wanting to earn a living from their craft. It suggests that writing for money is somehow less pure, leading many to hide their ambitions and creativity out of fear of judgment. T
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

“Write for Yourself” — The Harmful Advice Keeping Writers in the Shadows

The advice to “write for yourself” is often touted as the ultimate mantra for writers, but it can do more harm than good.

While the intention might be to encourage passion and authenticity, in reality, this advice can make writers feel ashamed of wanting to earn a living from their craft.

It suggests that writing for money is somehow less pure, leading many to hide their ambitions and creativity out of fear of judgment.

This mentality contributes to why so many writers are reclusive. The pressure to keep writing as a purely personal endeavor isolates them, discouraging them from sharing their work or seeking the recognition and compensation they deserve.

The truth is, writing for yourself alone is not sustainable if you want to reach an audience and make a meaningful impact.

Why Writing for Money Isn’t Shameful (And Where to

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🖋️ DAR
ILLUMINATION

DA Rasmussen ("Destiny") is an American novelist with an irrevocable passion to write.