For love or money

The other day, my 10 year old asked me if people write for the money or for fame. That made me consider why I wrote the Star-crossed books. As I mentioned before, they originally were a challenge to my lazy children to write themselves. But once I got into writing them for serious and finishing them... did I want riches or fame? Or, more realistically, a bit of pocket change or recognition?

Well, when I chose to self-publish, I was thinking that I just wanted to get my book out to all my friends so they could read it and, hopefully, like it. Because, really, what's the point of spending years of your life writing and editing if the book is just going to sit on your hard drive? It's a nice mental exercise but it feels a bit wasted. So that's what I did. And many of my friends have read and at least pretending to like Secrets. So, hurray! Goal accomplished.

But, I guess it would be nice to make a little money. I am blessed to have all my needs met and then some. But I feel like I am pouring money into copies of the books to hand out to friends and I know my outflow will exceed my intake. So... a few healthy sales would be nice.

So... I guess the answer is, for both love and money. At least for me. What about the rest of you writers?

Pardee out.

The joke is on me

Two years ago I put up my easel and my paints and engrossed myself in the very entertaining task of writing a novel. Initially it was an effort to inspire my girls to write over the summer, but it took on a life of its own.

Now, here I am, publishing said novel and realizing that I need some bitchin' cover art because the photo I used as the cover is too blah. And as I am searching for art, I am learning that I will need to pay $350-ish for said cover art. So for my 99 cent ebook that I will be lucky to make $20 from, I will need to pay hundreds of dollars for the cover. Twice, because there are two books.

Silly Laurel, you should have stuck with painting!