Is monetary success the sign of a good writer?

[Ken K. Chartrand]

This is just a starter question I threw out there to see what other writers etcetera thiink about when they produce works. Is it for the money or the fame or what?

[Lori]

No...it's all about the message!

[Ray Osborne]

Thanks for posting the first discussion topic.

Back to your question.

Not to me. But it helps.

I once heard someone say follow your passion and the money will follow. I believe that. My passion is historical
research, I'm like a history detective and I enjoy finding new tidbits of information. I also enjoy sharing the information
with both readers and an audience.

Also knowing that my book (my co-creation) may have a shelf life that may exceed my own lifetime is an added bonus.

I'm a mystic too so that is filtered through my perception of my journey in historical writing. Kinda hard to explain as it is
something that has a inner knowing, if you know what I mean.

-RKO

[Carol Troestler]

Ray,

I agree. I love putting pieces of a period or historical event together in true but new ways.

Carol

[Janet Elaine Smith]

If it is, we are probably all in deep doo-doo. To me, a reply from a reader who has reaped some benefit from the words I have penned is the higest payment I can get.

[Judy Rosella Edwards]

Not for money or fame, altho a paycheck helps!

I do it because I find history intriguing. I love fitting the pieces together.

Fortunately, what sells best is trends. I find editors are not as interested in one topic, researched to bits and pieces. They're far more interested in a trend across multiple cultures, peoples, time-periods, events....

Judy

[Christopher Hoare]

To cast a few sour grapes, I'd suggest a scan through the best sellers list would say good writing has nothing to do with monetary success. However, to paraphrase someone else's quote -- bad writing with a good story may succeed, but no good writing can save a bad story.

Perhaps it is enough to say that a good writer touches his or her readers, and that is in itself a success.

Chris H.