Melanie Benjamin wrote about "for the love of writing' in the Huffington Post. Here's part of what she wrote:
"Why are we all in such a rush to be published? With NaNoWriMo [Nantional Novel Writing Month--in which people try to write a full novel of at least 50,000 words in one month] currently going on, it's a question I ask myself a lot.
Just when did writing for the pure pleasure of it fade away? Does every artist sit down to paint a beautiful sunset thinking, "Oh, boy, I just can't wait until this thing sells and is hanging on some cafeteria wall"?
Somehow, I don't think so -- although perhaps I'm being naïve. Yet so many writers these days, it seems to me, write joylessly; they join writers groups, participate in NaNoWriMo, all with the goal of writing quickly. Finishing that book ASAP so it can be published. Publication is the goal, the one and only point when a writer can sit back and allow himself a sense of accomplishment.
But is that necessary? Is that even right?"
It's a question I have pondered as well, from time to time. I make most of my living from selling what I write, so I can't claim to write for the pure joy of it. But there are a couple of things, including a full-length screenplay, that I've written just because I knew I'd enjoy it. I haven't even shown that script to anybody, nor am I particularly keen to do so. I know film is a collaborative medium and if somebody wants to buy it, the first thing they'll want is changes. I didn't write that one to change it or to try to make a lot of money for it, it was just fun to do. I'm not saying I'll never put it out there into the marketplace, just that writing it without worrying about whether or not it would sell was really enjoyable.
Which is what writing is supposed to be.