Quote:
Originally Posted by lemon lime
I've been following this discussion through multiple threads, and I don't feel this idea has been pushed. I have seen accusations that it is being pushed, and I honestly don't understand why.
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Note, I am not suggesting there is this feeling across MR in general. However, I too have followed this discussion through multiple threads and I've seen this idea pushed quite blatantly by some.
On many occassions the idea that if one is writing "for the money" then one is doing for the wrong reasons has been put forward. The connotation here is that if one isn't writing simply for the pure joy of writing then somehow they are less worthy and noble. That they are somehow cheapening or defiling the creative process. Furthermore the idea is that one simply can't be creating good writing if one is only doing it for the money.
Disparaging comparisons to Dan Brown and other authors have been made multiple times when referring to writers who want or expect to make a living from their writing. The connotation here being that only mass marketed pulp fiction that follows a derivative, "cookie cutter" plot type writing has a chance of making one a living from writing. By extrapolation we are supposed to gather that anyone who wants to make a living writing must go down that path.
Lastly, on numerous occassions the idea that if you want to make money you should go get another job and if you want the happiness of creation then writing is for you has been put forward. The simple "either/or" wording of such statements is used to convey the idea that the two are mutually exclusive, that one can't want to create great writing and also make money.
So that's why I say there seems to be that feeling.
Cheers,
PKFFW