Quote:
Originally Posted by Moejoe
I believe writers should treat money as an afterthought, a surprise when it occurs, a miracle when they can support their life upon that same money.
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So you believe fledgling writers should devote a few hours a week to their craft, their art, and devote the majority of their waking hours to a career that doesn't capture their heart?
I like the idea of writing as a vocation rather than a job--but saying "the money doesn't matter" ignores the fact that money does indeed matter to their ability to continue writing. Money for rent and food and whatnot has to come from somewhere, and by saying "they shouldn't expect it to come from writing" you are also saying "writers should do something they like a lot less than writing to support themselves."
I'm not seeing the good in that approach. I understand it's the situation for most writers, but I don't agree that it's the ideal, that it's what they should strive for.
I don't write for a living. I barely write as a hobby. I have no idea if I could be A Great Novelist or A Great Nonfic Author, and I'm not likely to find out for another decade or two, maybe longer. I treat my writing as a vocation... and as a result, pretty much nobody gets to read it.
Are you better off thereby? Am I? Is my family? My friends on LJ think some of my writing is screamingly funny and should have a wider audience... it's not going to happen, because there's that 9-5 job thing in the way of developing both my craft and my publicity. (I suppose you could say, "if it were
really your vocation, you would find time for it." I suppose that's true. If you agree that the majority of potential writers shouldn't bother to develop their skills, that's a reasonable answer.)