Writing for Money or Love

Being a part of the web content writing community for over 2 years now, the journey has been interesting to say the least.

I have met some very interesting people; people I would never have met had I not joined this online community. The friendships I have made have helped to keep me going as I travel down this path in my life.

Since February of this year there have been many changes online as fellow writers know. Ehow which was once a guaranteed source of monthly income is no more. Google has changed many things which have affected different writing sites and therefore the income we depend upon.

What keeps me going on this rollercoaster ride of trying to earn money through my writing are two things. One is that I don't give up that easily and because I need to write I keep on doing it.

The other reason I haven't thrown in the towel is because of my dear friend Dena. Although Dena passed on several months ago, right before all these changes took place, she continues to inspire me to push ahead.

Dena was a kind and loving soul and probably the best friend I have had in a long time. We challenged each other to write and she always encouraged me to push myself as a writer. She helped me to believe in myself when I had doubts and it wasn't until after she was gone that I realized how she encouraged so many others.

She truly was a unique soul and a gift to many.

We had more than a writing friendship; we talked about our lives. She had dreams and goals and had she lived, I know she would have found bigger success as a writer. She had a unique voice that was welcoming to all. She never bragged or made you feel like she was talking down to you. Maybe it was her Southern charm.

All I know is when I have a bad day writing and I feel like just giving up, I hear Dena's voice urging me to not give up. Even today, months after she left us here, I still can hear her voice.

I want to succeed because Dena did not get the chance. I am doing this for both of us; we always urged each other on to better ourselves as writers. The quality of our work was important.

We knew of others who basically copied & pasted and saw their income rise. They aren't writers.

Dena and I were passionate about what we wrote about. Dena about her gardening, cooking and alternative health. For me, mental health issues, parenting and relationships are just a few topics that mean a lot to me. Of course, get me angry about an injustice in the world and I will shout about it from the rooftops.

Dena would be like that too. Politics was something she felt strongly about; oh and football. She loved her Titans and would take a break when her team was playing.

We both needed to earn money through our writing but we mostly wrote for the love of it.

When I have days where I get discouraged because I cannot pay my bills even though I write as often as I can, I remember that writers who get rich off their writing are few.

Then I hear Dena's voice encouraging me to keep on writing. "You're doing just fine" I hear her say in the Southern twang of hers. I smile to myself and I relax a bit.

I am just going to be me and do what I love. Money isn't everything.