Have you ever doubted whether you had the talent to make it as a writer? Have you wondered whether your writing was good enough to be successful? Did you ever fear that your work would be dismissed as irrelevant?
Even the greatest writers have faced these doubts at one time or another. What is it that keeps them writing? How are they able to overcome these fears?
Perhaps it’s because they’ve discovered the most important question all successful writers need to answer first.
In the winter of 1903, 19-year-old aspiring poet Franz Xaver Kappus was confronted with this question. A student at the Theresian Military Academy in Austria, Kappus wrote poetry in his spare time while wrestling with uncertainty over his future career in the army.
He considered dropping out of school, but how could he be sure his writing dreams weren’t just a passing whim?
One day, Kappus found out that Rainer Maria Rilke, a famous poet he admired, had attended the same academy in the 1880s. Suffering from ill-health, Rilke had ultimately ended up abandoning a military career in favor of writing.
Kappus decided to write to Rilke with the hope that the poet could tell him if his poems showed any promise. To Kappus’s delight, Rilke replied. The poet posed a question that Kappus could answer to help him decide whether he should continue at the academy or pursue his writing dreams.
If you are struggling with self-doubt like Kappus did, read on for Rilke’s simple method for determining if you have what it takes to become a writer.
The Rilke Test: One Question Every Writer Should Answer
“I want to thank you for the great confidence you have placed in me,” Rilke wrote to Kappus in his letter dated February 17, 1903.
Hesitant to critique Kappus’s poems, Rilke made only a few observations and noted that Kappus was on the way to developing a unique style, “…may I just tell you that your verses have no style of their own, although they do have silent and hidden beginnings of something personal.”
However, he warned Kappus against looking for outside opinions of his work. That method would not help him overcome his self-doubt.
You ask whether your verses are any good. You ask me. You have asked others before this. You send them to magazines. You compare them with other poems, and you are upset when certain editors reject your work. Now (since you have said you want my advice) I beg you to stop doing that sort of thing. You are looking outside, and that is what you should most avoid right now. No one can advise or help you – no one.
Instead, Rilke suggested that Kappus try the following test:
There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write?
Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple ‘I must’, then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.
Essentially, Rilke told Kappus that his success or failure as a writer depended on the reason why he wrote.
Are you chasing fame and fortune or do you write for the sheer joy of putting words on paper?
Rilke was ahead of his time at pinpointing the inexplicable, internal “I must” as the most powerful motivating force for achieving long-term goals.
Psychologists today label this internal desire an intrinsic motivation.
Why Do You Write? Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivations
In the field of psychology, motivations are generally divided into two categories: intrinsic (internal) and extrinsic (external).
This study offers this definition of intrinsic motivation:
Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards.
Contrast that to extrinsic motivation:
Extrinsic motivation is a construct that pertains whenever an activity is done in order to attain some separable outcome. Extrinsic motivation thus contrasts with intrinsic motivation, which refers to doing an activity simply for the enjoyment of the activity itself, rather than its instrumental value.
Extrinsic motivation is not as powerful as intrinsic motivation because while external rewards and pressures might motivate you for a time, they usually lose their force when obstacles arise and the going gets tough.
For example, imagine you decide to write a book because you think it will look good on your resume or you have heard that publishing an eBook is a quick way to make some extra cash.
These are extrinsic motivations because you are writing for the reward that you will receive, but not truly out of a love for the writing craft. In other words, if you took the extrinsic motivations away, you would probably have no desire to complete the project.
An intrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is one that is within you. If you are intrinsically motivated, it means that you find pleasure in working towards your goal. Your passion drives you forward.
While extrinsic motivations can carry you through the short run, the intrinsic motivation is the steady motor that will help you power onward when you keep receiving rejection slips or someone leaves a harsh review of your work or the plot twists in your short stories keep falling flat.
When that happens and you feel like giving up, ask yourself if you love what you’re doing? If you gave up on writing, would you regret it for the rest of your life?
If you answer yes to those questions, then ignore the bitter words of self-doubt that rise up in your soul. Reevaluate your why. Don’t worry about chasing fame or fortune or the approval of others.
Write because you must.
What Happened to Kappus?
Towards the end of his letter, Rilke acknowledged that Kappus might discover he lacked the intrinsic motivation to become a writer,
But after this descent into yourself and into your solitude, perhaps you will have to renounce becoming a poet (if, as I have said, one feels one could live without writing, then one shouldn’t write at all). Nevertheless, even then, this self searching that I ask of you will not have been for nothing. Your life will still find its own paths from there, and that they may be good, rich, and wide is what I wish for you, more than I can say.
In the end, it seemed that Kappus decided the writing life was not for him. Though he continued corresponding with Rilke up until 1908, he ultimately chose to stay at the academy.
However, in 1929, he collected ten of Rilke’s letters in a volume called Letters to a Young Poet (affiliate link). The title of the book seems to suggest that though Kappus had chosen a career in the army, he still considered himself a poet. And indeed his youthful dream of becoming a writer continued to pursue him.
Though he served as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian army for fifteen years, after WWI he returned to writing. He worked as an editor at several newspapers, wrote a number of novels and short stories, and even adapted several of his novels as screenplays.
Unlike Rilke, who had once praised Mussolini, Kappus was strongly anti-fascist. Following WWII, he helped found the Free Democratic Party in Germany which promoted a classical liberal ideology and free-market policies. Kappus’s last written work explored aspects of the anti-fascist resistance.
Ultimately, Kappus could not outrun his intrinsic desire to be a writer. Though he tried to abandon it, it stayed with him all his life.
The Takeaway
The next time you are struggling along on your writing journey, pause for a moment and consider Rilke’s question. It is the most important question for a writer to answer.
Do you write because you love it? Because you must?
Would you continue to write even if it was guaranteed that you would never receive fame or fortune or the approval of the world?
If you answer ‘yes’, then your passion will carry you forward.
You will put in the hours to edit your work and hone your skills even if there is no monetary reward.
You will have fun spinning stories and creating worlds and characters.
You will feel compelled to share the experiences you have lived.
And you will find fulfillment in the joy of getting your message down on paper and touching the hearts of others with your words.
Why do you write? If you enjoyed this post, leave a comment below and share the post with someone you would like to inspire.
Hamish says
That question is one I have often asked myself but didn’t know I was. After reading your explanation here I searched within myself and came relatively quickly to the answer that I love writing, the entire process from start to finish. Though I’ve not yet mastered the art of finishing things, when I write, or edit, or share stories I feel more alive than any other time. (Writing songs is included in this group of things as well.)
Thank you for sharing such compelling words, and encouraging us writers to examine our ‘why’. Peace to you and your loved ones Nicole.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you for your comment, Hamish! I’m glad you enjoyed this piece, and I wish you much success with your writing. 🙂
James D Stone says
Hi Nicole,
I’m a new follower. Your blogs and newsletters have been so helpful and inspiring. Thanks to my 11th-grade Literature teacher, who kept me after class one day and encouraged me to continue writing, I am most definitely intrinsically motivated. I am now in my late 50’s and have continued to write in some capacity ever since. I have been very modestly published in a few magazines for free but now am pursuing the idea of writing for pay into retirement and beyond. Hence, my following you and your sites.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi James,
Thank you! I’m so glad you’ve found my newsletters and articles helpful. I wish you much success with your new career in writing. God bless.
Sarah Waldock says
I suspect that there are those of us who have got to the point of making a slim living from writing who balance writing what we must, and writing the things which are commercially popular. And yet … if I stopped enjoying writing, even the things more commercially popular, I think I’d give it up as a career and pursue only what I wanted to write.
David says
I write to know what I am, to make connections I don’t make except by reflecting while writing. Ideas, memories, imagination, unanswered questions all combine to offer more completed stories than life seemed to give before writing them. To slow down my headlong living and write deepens my mind, I find.
Shruti says
To answer Rilke’s question, I would not die if I stop writing. But I will be choked. And I think that’s what he asked. Near death-like feeling.
Thank you for sharing this article, Nicole. You are my Rilke (I hope I become Kappus)
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Shruti! Wow, I am honored to be called your Rilke. I am so happy the article inspired you.
Rod Griffiths says
I agree it is a tough question as to whether I should call myself a writer. For me it came down to this — many people say that everyone has a book in them, but I’ve never heard anyone say that everyone has two books in them, so when I finished the second book I decided that it was time to call myself a writer. (Side Effect – Rod Griffiths; Aimless Fear – Rod Griffiths)
Cynthia says
I love Rilke’s ‘Letters to a young poet’, I always thought my ‘why’ for writing was purely for connecting (intrinsic motivation) but I find the more I write the better I understand myself and the more I share the more I learn. This sweet cycle keeps that fire for writing burning.
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Cynthia! Thanks for your comment. 🙂 His letters are so thought-provoking, aren’t they? Love how you describe your writing cycle. I too find the more I share, the more I learn.
Rachel says
Thanks for this post. Wish I’d found your blog before completing my Writer’s Boot Camp kit. Lots of great advice here.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Rachel! So glad you are finding it helpful. Your Writer’s Boot Camp kit sounds really cool.
MaryEllen Miller says
I write to share ideas. If I didn’t write I would probably move to speaking. Both are related to sharing ideas.
Nicole Bianchi says
So true, Mary Ellen! Many great writers have been orators. Thanks for your comment. 🙂
Resh Susan says
This is interesting Nicole. I dont know if all writers look within themselves or write for others as well. If the harsh realities of rent and food took care of themselves, we would be pretty happy with life.
Also, one can often understand when a writer has written from the depths of his/her heart. Right? There is an edge to that kind of writing
Nicole Bianchi says
Hi, Resh! 🙂 Thanks for your comment! Yes, I believe you are right, though writing has never been the most lucrative career, so maybe it still requires a certain love and fortitude?
Absolutely agree with you about how that kind of writing has a special quality to it. You can feel the writer is baring his soul to you. I can’t remember the exact quote, but in his book “Zen in the Art of Writing”, Bradbury talks about how readers will forgive any faults in a story you write if you write the characters with depth and feeling.
Claudia LeBaron Islas says
This is great reminder to begin asking the deepest questions to ourselves and not to others, and to stay strong and loyal to our heart’s desires when the outside forces are not acting the way we wish them to.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you, Claudia! Beautifully said. 🙂 Love how you put it!
Lynne says
Excellent question, Nicole. Your love for writing is contagious. I’m always inspired by your posts. Thanks! 🙂
Michelle monet says
YES LYnne. She does have such a zest and love for writing. It just emanates from her writings. Its so inspirational to rad her blog. Love it! Writing can be such a lonely process. Lately even though I just published my first book I feel this deep sense of weird sadness. Vulnerability, Braveness? BUT today I must connect with the ‘why’ I am writing. That is the key to me too.
Nicole Bianchi says
Aww, you are so sweet, Michelle! 😀 It means so much to me to know that you enjoy reading my blog. It is so true that writing can be lonely. Knowing that there are other writers like you who are benefiting from my articles makes all those long hours of writing and editing worth it. 😉
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you for your kind words! So happy to hear you find them inspiring. 🙂
Martha says
What a great post! I was never into writing until I started my blog for product reviews and within a few months my topics expanded and while I’m far from someone that knows the correct way of writing, I do enjoy it immensely. I especially like writing my quirker little poems.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Martha! That’s wonderful that your blog helped you discover a new passion for writing. All the best with your writing journey! 🙂
Nerdy Creator says
I agree. Why you write is important? Even though I do love writing, sometimes I may forget what I write in the first place and why I love writing. Thank you for the reminder! 🙂
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks for your comment! It’s so true that it is easy to forget why we write in the first place. Glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂
Michelle monet says
YES!!!!! To stay connected to the “WHY” we write I think is key. It can NOT be for money.heheh. I just published my 3rd book and I’m so darn proud. I’m moving on to book 4 and 5 now. My goal is to not look back, just forward to my next creative endeavor.
http://www.michellemonet.com
V.J. Maheu says
So much of that applies to art as well, I think to any creativity.
Nicole Bianchi says
Yes, definitely agree! 😀 It’s a good test for any creative.
Jeanine says
Lovely post! My writing is part of what I do for a living, but if I were independently wealthy, I’d still want to write. I do love sharing my thoughts & my heart in my writing!
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you so much, Jeanine! 🙂 Love your spin on Rilke’s question. If I was independently wealthy (I wish!), I’d keep writing too!
Michelle monet says
Love that Jeanine. It IS all about ‘sharing’ isnt it?
Shawnyce Cano says
This was beautifully written. I’ve been writing since I was about 11 years old. I once wrote (in all but these exact words): “I shall die before I give up the pen.” My sentiments remain. I read a short e-book earlier today titled “The Writer’s Manifesto.” It was sweet and to the point but offered the same advice: look inside. I’m definitely going to carry this with me, and to my future students as well (future teacher, here).
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you so much, Shawnyce! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love that you’ve been writing since you were a child. What profound words you wrote! It’s always wonderful when you can identify your calling so early in life. I too have been writing stories for nearly as long as I can remember. All the best with your teaching career!
Michelle monet says
Nicole. This piece spoke to my soul! Soooo perfect to me. I must write! Period . To me it is like breathing, of course I would love to have worldly rewards but honestly I would write anyway for the sheer joy of it. Thanks so much for this wonderful article.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michelle! I am so happy to hear it spoke to you. 🙂 I read Rilke’s letter earlier this January, and it’s stayed with me all of this time. I felt I had to share it. It’s so inspiring.
Nadia King says
Thought provoking and interesting post Nicole. I write because it makes me happy. I also seek publication. But ultimately, I guess I write for me.
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks, Nadia! 🙂 I want to be published too, and I think that is a fantastic motivator because it really makes me seek to improve my writing and learn more about the craft, but what carries me through the long run is definitely my love for writing. 😀
Michelle monet says
Nicole. This piece spoke to my soul! Soooo perfect to me. I must write! Period . To me it is like breathing, of course I would love to have worldly rewards but honestly I would write anyway for the sheer joy of it. Thanks so much for this wonderful article.
Aram Boyd says
I’m not sure I would die if forbidden to write, but I would quickly move to another creative pursuit. I have a strong need to express myself creatively. That’s why your Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic argument really resonates with me. Yes, I want all the external rewards, but I write, play music and speak because of the inner need to create and make the most of the talent and opportunity given to me.
Thanks Nicole for a great and thoughtful piece of writing!
Nicole Bianchi says
Thanks for your comment, Aram! Rilke’s test is a little extreme in that point, but I like what you said about how you would move to another creative pursuit if you were forbidden to write. I think the external rewards definitely help us focus on improving our work and trying to hone our skills. But it’s important not to work exclusively for those rewards or we’ll end up diluting our message or just quitting when the going gets tough. Glad you enjoyed the article! And thanks again for adding your thoughts!