Is it better to write what I love or focus on what sells? How do you decide?

If you’ve been struggling with whether you should write what you love or focus on what sells, you’re not alone. It’s one of the biggest dilemmas writers face, especially when you’re starting out or trying to make a living from your work. Let’s break it down so you can figure out the best approach for you. 🚀

1. Why Writing What You Love Matters

The Pros

• Keeps You Motivated: When you genuinely love what you’re writing, it’s easier to show up every day, even when the going gets tough. Writing feels less like a chore and more like a passion project.
• Authenticity Shines Through: Your readers will feel the emotional depth and authenticity in your stories when you write from the heart.
• Builds a Loyal Audience: Over time, people who share your niche interests will flock to your books and your own unique take on the niche will make you stand out.

The Cons

• Limited Audience: If your niche is super niche (think “paranormal romance involving sentient plants who solve mysteries”), it might take a long time to find readers.
• Patience is Essential: Building an audience without immediate demand can feel like a slow burn, and success might not come as quickly as you’d hope.
• Burnout Risks: If your books don’t bring financial rewards, you could lose motivation, even if you love the genre.

When This Works Best

• You’re all about creative freedom.
• You’re willing to write purely for personal fulfilment and storytelling.
• You’re in it for the long haul and don’t mind earning slowly.

💡 Example: Say you’re obsessed with historical erotica that combines steamy romance and meticulous period accuracy (think “regency romance with real-world scandals”). That’s probably your happy place—and even though it might not be trending now, your passion could resonate with a small but loyal group of readers.

2. Why Writing to Sell Makes Sense

The Pros

• Steady Cash Flow: When you write books that align with trending niches or popular tropes, readers are already there, waiting. Your chances of making faster sales go way up.
• Builds Market Experience: Aligning your work to appeal to target audiences teaches you valuable marketing and branding skills.
• Funds Passion Projects: Money from high-selling genres can help you fund future projects that speak more to your soul.

The Cons

• Burnout Danger: Writing for money (and not joy) can feel like a grind. Trends shift, and keeping up can be exhausting.
• Lacks Creative Depth: If you don’t love the subject or genre, your storytelling could lose authenticity, which readers might pick up on.
• Trends Are Fleeting: If you rely too heavily on trends and don’t build a distinct voice, you might end up chasing themes that fade quickly.

When This Works Best

• You’re focused on building financial security.
• You’re flexible with your storytelling and enjoy creative challenges.
• You like testing different genres or styles to appeal to larger audiences.

💡 Example: You notice billionaire romance is still a leader, and you’ve got ideas for a fresh twist on the trope. Write your take—after all, readers are actively searching for this type of story. (Pro tip? Use tools like Publisher Rocket to research exactly what they’re searching for.)

3. Finding the Sweet Spot Between Passion and Profit

How to Balance Both

Here’s the thing—you don’t have to choose one path and stick to it forever. There is a middle ground. Here’s how to find it:

• Fusion: Write what you love but tweak it to align with market trends. For example, if you’re into gothic romance, give it a commercial twist by incorporating popular tropes—like vampires or secret billionaire heirs.
• Experimentation: Test the waters by writing one project that’s market-focused and one that’s purely passion-driven. Release them side by side and see what sticks.
• Dual Projects: Alternate between passion projects and commercial work. Your marketable stories can fund your more personal endeavours.

Actionable Tips

1. Research Smartly
   • Check out Amazon’s bestseller lists—what’s trending in your genre?
   • Use tools like Google Trends or keyword search tools to explore which tropes or topics have an audience.
2. Get Real About Goals
   • Do you need income ASAP? Then, market-driven stories might take priority.
   • Are you happy playing the long game? Lean toward your passion.
3. Combine Both
   • Inject your personal voice into market-friendly genres to create a hybrid approach that feels true to you.

💡 Example: Love slow-burn LGBTQ+ romance but want to sell? Incorporate trending tropes like college settings, enemies-to-lovers, or fake dating while keeping your identity shine through.

4. Questions to Help You Decide

Sometimes, the easiest way to figure it out is by asking yourself some tough but necessary questions.

Questions About You

• What motivates you more—creative freedom or seeing sales come through?
• Would you feel satisfied writing stories that sell, even if you aren’t in love with them?
• Are you aiming for a career or contentment as a hobby writer?

Questions About Your Work

• Is your passion project unique and marketable?
• Could you adapt trending tropes or genres without loving the idea less?
• Do you enjoy switching between genres or styles, or is your creativity tied to one niche?

💡 Pro Tip: When in doubt, draft outlines for both a highly marketable idea and a passion-driven story. Which excites you more? Which feels sustainable to write? That’s your answer.

5. Real-Life Examples

1. Starting with the Market

An author who cranked out short, spicy billionaire romances to fund a mortgage but later transitioned to writing the sprawling sci-fi sagas they’d always dreamed of. (It’s like planting a money tree for future freedom.)

2. Passion Drives Profit

An indie writer created a niche in cute paranormal erotica (think “Ghosts Falling in Love” with lots of humour), and it unexpectedly blew up. Turns out, niche passions can spark something big in small audiences!

3. Blending Both Worlds

Someone who mixes their love of slice-of-life character depth with highly commercial genres like YA romance, combining emotional authenticity with popular vivid storytelling.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both paths—writing what you love and writing for sales—come with trade-offs. Success often comes down to experimentation, adaptability, and knowing your long-term goals.

But remember: You don’t have to choose one forever. Passion projects can evolve into profit, and market-driven works can gain creative depth. Stay flexible, and don’t be afraid to pivot when needed!