I thought this was an interesting quote. Even though I don’t think a writer’s purpose should be to earn money, earning money is a form of success in our society. And being able to be paid for what you love to do, so you can do more of it, is a lovely thought. Not sure if these are the ‘only sensible ends of literature’ but… it made me think for a moment so I thought I’d share. What do you think about Nathaniel Hawthorne’s quote?
– Ermisenda
Ermilia 
Very true earnings should be secondary in this art
I can’t imagine someone being motivated to go through the writing, editing, and polishing process if you were just in it for the money. It’d sure be a waste of time, energy, and tears.
I think he had his tongue in his cheek. 🙂
😛
My view is he had it right~ But No.2 and No.3 are possibly in the wrong order~If you can get solid cash for you efforts ~ Bravo!
Haha. For some writers their friends and family will never support them. Mmm… I wish to one day be a writer who gets some SOLID cash for my writing efforts. All in due time, eh? 🙂
Eminently sensible I should think.
Very. 🙂
May I refer you to Samuel Johnson. ‘No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money.’ Not sure what that does for Anglo-American relations.
I think money (or the dream of money) can often be an ultimate driving force to nudge us into developing our skills and finishing novels. But if that was the only reason someone wrote… well… they’re a blockhead. There are much smarter investments of your time and efforts than years of writing with no promise of success. 😛