For Love or Money

Well, that was unexpected. For all of you outside of Pennsylvania, I should explain that I’m on the Pittsburgh side of our state, Philadelphia being on the other side. So it’s not my team that went to the Super Bowl. But, along with many of you, I did not see that coming. And now with Valentine’s Day coming up this week, I feel like this could be a week of surprises since love happens when you least expect it.

Here’s a secret about me: I don’t always like surprises. Actually, surprises are fine, it’s my reaction to them that leaves me scratching my head. Case in point: Last November I was selling my books at an author event when a new friend stopped by my table and told me that she had the idea for a series of children’s books. She’s been thinking about it for years now and thinks she might start writing it. [I love this stuff. I really do; this isn’t the surprise part. I haven’t even heard her idea but I’m completely on board. She needs to write this.] And then she asks me, “Will I make a bunch of money from it?”

And, here’s the surprise, my bonehead immediate answer to her is, “No.”

I could tell I shocked her and I was about to explain myself but a small crowd entered the scene and I suddenly needed to sell some books. So we never got back to the conversation, and for my part, I feel terrible. I feel like there’s a parenthesis hanging out there without his mate. This:(  but no:). All frowns, no smiles.

Anyway, of course she’ll make some money. For all I know, she’s the next J.K. Rowling or Beatrice Potter. She could be sitting on a goldmine. All I really wanted to tell her--and anyone in her situation--is that she should write her book for love, then all the other pieces will fall into place.

Yes, there are tons and tons of books out there written by people who just want to make money. And they do. But there are others, like me, like my friend, who want to tell a good story. Trust me, you don’t think about something for years if it’s lousy.

It’s easy to get caught up in the thought of money and then you judge your success by it, and then that dictates whether you ever write again or not. But when the spark is in you, the push to create is the driving force. That’s when you create art for art’s sake, not money’s. The art itself is your success story; money is just a bonus.

For my friend, I want her to write her children’s series. For one thing, I want to read it. For another, I want her to know the feeling that she’s created something amazing. And that means she has to write it, regardless of all the things that might try to get in the way.

Let me ask you this: If your money dries up while you’re still writing your story (or while you’re starting your own business, or planning a trip, etc.), what do you do? If your North Star is money, you go where it leads you, trotting after sources of funding. If your North Star is the story, the business, the plan, etc., that you’re creating, you’ll create it.

Does it have to be either/or? Get ready for this answer: Nope. You can create for love and money. Half the internet is poised right now to sell you their how-to program on that very subject. But even without their help, love and money can absolutely be the target, and you can hit it.

They say love happens when you least expect it. Keep your eye on the prize this week, on your own North Star, and let surprising things come to you.