Confession: I Don't Want To Be A Famous Author

Recently, I participated in a tag challenge on the Young Writer’s Workshop Community on the subject of dream goals as an author. As I was typing up my responses to the questions, I stopped to read over my own answers and realized there was so much more behind what I was saying. Why I wrote my response.

All my life, I’ve met other writers. When asked about their dream goals, they’ve always wanted their books to be famous, well-known, well-read.

Which is understandable, right? I wouldn’t want to pour myself into a piece of writing only to have it gather dust in a corner.

But growing up, I’ve never wanted to be a famous author. I kind of just dismissed it, knowing being famous probably wasn’t possible.

But as I was writing up my response—my dream goal for my publishing-in-progress novel—I thought to myself, why do I think this way? Why do I not want my books to be well-known? Why don’t I want to be a famous or well-known author? Do I want my writing to gather dust in a corner?

In this blog post, I’m going to *attempt* to explain why I’d never want to be a famous author. So buckle up. This will be interesting.

Famous for the right reason?

A question that’s always risen in my mind is, if I did want to be a famous author, why?

There are a couple different reasons I’ve seen writers wanting to be famous.

1. To spread the Gospel/reach more readers.

This is probably the most common amongst Christian writers/aspiring authors. Look at some famous songwriters or pastors today. They’re able to reach more people and bring them to Christ because they’re well known.

I believe fame is a tool. You can use it the right way, or you can use it in the wrong way. And if this is the sole reason you’d like to be famous as a writer (or anything else, for that matter), go for it. Keep dreaming.

2. To bring fame to oneself.

Okay, we all knew this was coming. But honestly, it’s true. I can do a quick search on Google and find names of multiple actors and actresses who are famous but obviously lead very ungodly lives. Their goal to be famous shows in everything they do—to bring fame to themselves.

Now, I’m not judging here. But God clearly instructs us in 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

In some cases, God allows people to rise to fame. But what would you do with the fame if you had it? Use it to serve God, or serve yourself?

3. Just because being famous or well-known must be “fun.”

Let’s just say this is a very bad reason, and it’s dangerous because you could fall into all sorts of temptations by having this as your reason. Being famous for the experience is like going to college just because you’re wondering what it feels like. Either way, you waste time and money. Need I say more?

Why is this important?

Just like anything else—why do you do them? Why do you write? Why do you do a hobby you love? Why do you serve God?

Without a reason to back up an action or a dream, it’s just a want. A desire. Something you do. A foggy goal in front of you.

My point is, if you don’t have a reason behind being a well-known or famous author, maybe it’s time to evaluate yourself just as I did myself.

Why don’t I want to be a famous writer?

Okay. With that aside, now for the million-dollar question (not literally XD).

This is a question I’ve wrestled with millions of times before. It’s not that being well known or famous isn’t appealing. It’s not that I have a negative view of it (or people who aspire to be that way, for that matter!).

It’s because, right now, I don’t feel it’s God’s calling for me.

I’m not saying I never want to be famous (though I can’t imagine myself ever famous or well-known anyway XD). Maybe in the future. But I’m not aspiring to be famous because that’s not why I write.

If my writing touches just one person, all this work would be worth it.

Because I’m starting small. Honestly, touching one person with my writing brings me such joy anyway, I don’t need thousands of people to tell me to write a next book—I don’t even need one.

God already touches my writing. He sees it, and I believe it pleases Him. He wants me to write.

And He’s the only one whose opinion matters to me.

Now, I’m not saying I never get hung up on what others think of me. It happens. Quite often, actually. *hides* I’m definitely not perfect. I don’t even think of this most of the time. Most of the time I get so caught up in what people I know think of my writing and of me as a writer.

But God is so patient and kind to bring me back to the reason why I write, the reason I don’t want to be famous.

But then what does success mean for me?

As you read this, you may be thinking, then what does she want? What does the writing future look like for her, if fame isn’t in the picture?

I mentioned earlier on that I don’t want to be famous because I feel it’s not what God’s calling me to aspire to. Now, that’s not saying I don’t ever want to be famous. If God decides that’s how He wants me to reach more people, I’m all for it. But right now, I’m focusing on the small things: building a connection with my readers, serving them, and growing as a writer.

And if fame becomes my ultimate goal--the thing I’m constantly working and waiting for--it’ll take my focus off writing for God and touching readers, and instead become--well, selfish.

My definition of success will vary from yours. But that’s okay, because that’s how God created us. To be uniquely different.

To me, success is following God’s leading and being content with what He has in store for me first. By doing so, I’m serving God, and if I allow that to happen in my writing, I’m serving God with my writing.

That’s my definition of success, because serving God is what matters first.

Now I just want to clarify: I certainly don’t think like this all the time. I don’t always sit down in front of a keyboard and have a pure heart to serve God with my work. More often than not, my writing is clouded by selfishness and darkness and a point I’m trying to prove.

But that’s why I’m writing this to you all. Because this—this is the reason why I write that I constantly need to come back to again and again to remind myself.

In conclusion, friend, if you aspire to be famous, I challenge you to ask yourself why. Are you doing it for one of the three reasons above? Be honest with yourself.

If you don’t aspire to be famous, ask yourself why. This will shape your reason for writing.

And when you’re finished, share with me below. I’m genuinely curious to hear from you!