No, I Don’t Want to Write *and* Publish Every day

Reasons why I write (but not publish) every day.

I’ve been writing since I was 7. Started as a daily writing habit in my journal, I began writing short stories and novels at age 9. By the age of 13; I have written 5 different novels in total.

I know what you’re thinking; wow, you must be a famous author!

Well, no, I’m not.

Because here comes the funny part: I rarely published any of my "work". I just really love to write.

Most of the stories I’ve written just perched on my old bookshelf or saved as drafts in my computer files.

Now, the reaction I got from those who knew this little fact about me is divided into two groups. First, the one who said, “How unfortunate!”, the other, who said, “You must’ve loved writing so much!”

Sadly, throughout my life, the second reaction has only come from two people. And unsurprisingly, both of them are also “writers”.

Almost everyone I knew would fall into the first group. They would think that I’ve wasted some years in my youth just for writing, and not publishing my writing is such a shameful act.

Writer Is the One Who Writes, Whether or Not They Publish It

“As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.” — Ernest Hemingway

My friends often ask me, “Why would you write a book/novel if you don’t plan on publishing it?”

I used to answer, “Because I love writing!” but I think this answer sounds too clichéd and cryptic to them that their non-writer brain can’t process it.

So now, after some good reflection on my past, I want to question them on behalf of my defense, “Why should I publish my writing?”

Don't get me wrong, I understand that it’s a courageous act when writers decide to publish their writing. In fact, that's what I am doing right now. However, we need to understand that writing is a totally different activity from publishing.

The scope of writing is very broad. That’s why there is a journalist, ghostwriter, blogger, screenwriter, copywriter, etc. Above all, there is a difference between a “writer” and an “author”.

A writer is a person who engages in the process of writing. If you spend your days writing books, novellas, or short stories — you are a writer. If your writing routine consists of waking up in the morning and jotting down an entry in your journal or outlining your next story — you are a writer.

Meanwhile, an author is someone whose written work has been published. People who write are considered authors when they originate the ideas and content of their written work — and decide to publish them. Therefore, most authors are writers, but not all writers are authors.

I love writing novels because it allows me to run my imagination freely. I don’t see the compulsion to publish them at this moment. And although I haven’t published my novels yet, I already published several collections of my writing.

My friends often call me crazy for doing this, but I am totally okay with it.

Writing Every day Does Not Mean Publishing Every day

Since I joined this platform 2 months ago, I found the same pattern of “writing and publishing” misconception repeated.

There’s a common misunderstanding among the writers here that if we write every day, it means we have to publish every day too. However, I firmly believe this is mistaken.

Writing is a choice, not a necessity. Publishing our writing is also a choice, not a requirement.

If you want to write and publish every day, then cool, good for you. But don’t push other writers to do the same. It all depends on the person, their personal goals, as well as their overall writing practice.

It’s totally fine to encourage other writers to write every day. But telling them to rush their writing to publish each day may discourage new writers who are just learning to write and need a certain amount of time to complete their writing.

They think if they don’t write and publish every day, then they are not a writer.

A writer is the one who writes and genuinely puts in the work in their writing, no matter how long it takes. Be it hours, days, or even weeks.

Write and Publish — or Not, the Choice is Yours

I write every day. I used to do it in my childhood, and I am still doing it nowadays. However, the difference between me and my “past self” is, I’ve decided to publish some of my writing — even if I didn’t do it every day.

If you commit to writing every day — regardless of how many words — writing will quickly become part of who you are and what you do.

“If you write one story, it may be bad; if you write a hundred, you have the odds in your favor.”—Edgar Rice Burroughs

The keyword is “write”. If you want to be a writer; write. Write at your own pace. Enjoy and love the act of writing itself. Whether you publish your writing every day, every week, or not at all — the choice is all yours. At last, remember what Sylvia Plath said,

“Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.”

— Sylvia Plath