|
"I have one of two choices — stay in the post office and go crazy ... or stay out here and play at writer and starve. I have decided to starve." -- Charles Bukowski
I have two brothers-in-law. One is a writer/professor and the other is a painter. Neither has made much money from their artistic pursuits, but thank god they don't give up. It does not matter to them that the masses have not embraced their art. What matters is the occasional kind words from strangers, who have been moved by their thoughts or images. Internet publishing enables this on a somewhat larger scale, when a reader can post comments that can be viewed by the author. There is far too much elitism in the world, from over-educated intellects. Not one of them, other than a few T.S. Eliots, could write a Moby Dick. And surely, Harvard educated Eliot would have struggled with that! Those familiar with the writer know what I am talking about.
Thus, keep on trucking, all of you unknown writers. The genesis of a great plot may some day make you money. At least to the movie business, which may adopt your novel for a screenplay. Some of today's most esteemed writers, e.g., Nadine Gordimer, wouldn't know a plot from a plot in the ground. (Only kidding, Nadine). That is not the strength of her writing. Her brilliancy lies in other areas.
|