[hippokrene]

Or 'never be published again' for those of us who have been.

This question completely ignores self-publishing, but I still think it's a good one.

For me, the answer would be 'no.'

For me, a story is a form of communication. There are things I write purely for myself, such as my journals, and there are things I write just 'to write,' such as my poetry.

My stories though, I want to share. I write them for others. I want to entertain others, to give them the same pleasure and respite I find when I crack open a book. I have always been an avid daydreamer, and I spend hours a week working on my ‘craft’ so I can learn to capture that and distil it on the page for others to drink up.

I have heard and read from many writers who think its best if writing is something that you do for yourself. Because you love the process or because you just can’t help yourself. That real writers should go ‘yes!’ to the question, because you should love writing for writing’s sake.

I understand that viewpoint, but I find it sad.

There are dozens of things more pleasurable than writing, though there aren’t as many things as satisfying as having written.

[Ranke Lidyek]

Yes, having written is great until the having it actually read part.

I think, for the most part, few of us have a true shot at being published. Unfortunately, I realized it a bit late in the game. Now that I do, I find I haven't written in some time. I also find myself a bit flagging in energy and optimism.

I do think I'll be finishing other novels in the end. Just have to drink from the well of self-delusion a few more times.

Can't stare at the mountain; just have to climb.

[BrightStar]

I didn't start writing because I wanted, or intended to be published. I wrote because my character had a story to tell, and I was the one he chose to tell it.

If I knew I wasn't going to be published, then there are still ways of getting my work out to an audiance. I'd consider self-publication (if I had the money) or even just putting my work online.

If I knew I would not be published, then I would assume that there had to be a reason for this. If it was because my work was not good enough, then I would work on trying to improve it until it was.

When I think about my story being sucessful, then I imagine thousands, if not millions of fans all around the world being able to enjoy the world and characters I created. I don't really think much on how much money I would make. Therefore, I doubt the issue of not making any money from my work would put me off.

If you meant your question to mean that I'd not be published at all, in any way, shape, or form, then I'd possibly have a harder time continuing. Initially, I wrote to tell my character's story, but I need to feel that I have/will have an audiance in order to tell that story to, or else it would be pointless for me to write.

Though, I may still end up writing it anyways, just because I'd still want to know what happens next. (Yes, I actually don't know how my story is going to end! I'm still waiting for my main character to tell me.)

[BloodStreak]

I would still write but I would (hopefully!) sell my ideas to a writer who would go on to write a good novel or novella with them.

[Dawnstorm]

I have heard and read from many writers who think its best if writing is something that you do for yourself. Because you love the process or because you just can’t help yourself. That real writers should go ‘yes!’ to the question, because you should love writing for writing’s sake.

Well, my answer is "Yes." So I'm a real writer, now? :rolleyes:

Actually, for me it's so much about writing that I'm sometimes wondering whether I should be bothering with the submission game at all. Is it even worth the nerves and money?

I've heard that real writers want to share their writings, and not submitting is just a form of being afraid. If you're not overcoming your fears, you don't qualify for the badge.

So I'm not a real writer after all? Oh, well... :cool:

[Hereford Eye]

There was a time I wanted to be published. Took an entire year off from the real world. Subnitted here, there, and everywhere. Didn't sell a thing.
Went back to work. Teamed with the Lady in the Shire and self-published a book of short stories. It's out of print now but I still have a bunch of copies.
Decided to self-publish some stories and have two books on Lulu. They're not selling but, then, I'm not pushing them either.
And I'm fairly certain I'm not going to get published. Since I know I am not sumitting anythng to publishers and/or agents, it's as close as it gets to certainty that I'm not going to be published.
I keep writing.
Because there are still a handful of folk out there that get interested in my stories.
And because there is no better feeling than finding a story and telling it.
And, at my age, I don't have to prove anything. People ask me what I do in retirement I answer that I write.
It's what I do.

[Tristis]

I write down the stories that roll through my head regardless of effort on my part. I write them down in part to keep track of them, because they sometimes connect and some are a "history" to others. I have thousands of bits and pieces on loose-leaf stored in file-cabinets. I have shelves full of second, third and fourth draft versions in binders. I read them often. They're primarily there for me.

Do I want to be published? Yes, absolutely. I think my stories could entertain others just as much as myself. I would love to call myself an author one day. But even if that were not going to happen, I would write stories.

I think that I would write stories even if it were illegal to do so.

Publication is validation for me. That's probably the sad part (rather than writing). I'm afraid I need to have a stamp of approval on my vision from an editor, a director (for the plays) or some other "professional" in order to see the stories as being more than just recorded daydreams.

For this reason, I can't self publish. Not yet. I don't look down on it for anybody else, but for me, some gatekeeper needs to assure me I belong on the grounds…at least once.

[Expendable]

There's a lot to be said about writing for personal enjoyment. And with printers and a little know-how, it's not that hard for someone to make their own books. Gotta love samizdat.

[Neyska]

I will always write. It is the core of who I am and I thrive on it. I love to create worlds and follow characters through their adventures. I have been published (stories - no novels, but I haven't tried that yet) and I can't say I don't like getting paid for my work, but it isn't necessary. I write because it is what I do. I will keep trying to get published though, probably until the day I drop dead. Never pays to give up when trying is so easy. :D

[kater]

Yes but I think it would be far less regular, currently I see plenty of tunnels with lights at the end of many of them so I haven't been discouraged to the point where I'm resigned to it not happening, yet :)