04-03-2008, 10:29 AM | #16 |
Actively passive.
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Inspiration is a myth. A myth is a female moth.
Sir Philip Sidney on "inspiration" - a classic example of the hypocrisy of inspiration: Code:
Loving in truth, and fain in verse my love to show, That she, dear she, might take some pleasure of my pain, Pleasure might cause her read, reading might make her know, Knowledge might pity win, and pity grace obtain - I sought fit words to paint the blackest face of woe, Studying inventions fine, her wits to entertain, Oft turning others' leaves to see if thence would flow Some fresh and fruitful showers upon my sun-burned brain. But words came halting forth, wanting invention's stay; Invention, nature's child, fled step-dame Study's blows, And others' feet still seemed but strangers in my way. Thus, great with child to speak, and helpless in my throes, Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite Fool, said my muse to me, look in thy heart and write. We tend to forget that "art" is "artifice", and thus artificial. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 04-03-2008 at 11:29 AM. |
04-03-2008, 10:33 AM | #17 | |
The Introvert
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That's why there are so many fantasy series that look the same...they are not inspiration they are cliches that attract money. |
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04-03-2008, 11:15 AM | #18 |
Zealot
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It's true that authors don't make much. It's wrong, I think, to assume that we aren't capable of doing ANYTHING else and would continue writing and making our writings available without even the hope of compensation.
The hope of becoming read, of catching on, of becoming the next J. K. Rowling is highly motivating. If it became certain that there was no money to be had no matter how wonderful our works were, why wouldn't we switch to writing screenplays, song lyrics, or something else. Like teenagers with their garage band, there's the joy in the process, but there's also the hope of catching that wonderful wave. Then again, would J. K. Rowling have been able to complete the series if she'd had to spend her days at the welfare office? There's something to be said for compensating authors we love. Rob Preece Publisher, www.BooksForABuck.com |
04-03-2008, 11:22 AM | #19 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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Dale |
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04-03-2008, 12:21 PM | #20 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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BTW: Yes, my wife and I bought a set of encyclopedias when we got married (1985) from a door-to-door salesman. Thought it would be good for future kids as I had access to a set when I was a kid. Little did we know about the internet then. I would hate to be an Encyclopedia salesman today. BOb |
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04-03-2008, 12:23 PM | #21 |
Lexicographer
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Being paid for writing
Why is writing a book any different than writing software? The latter is now mostly done for free (except the boring stuff), and I bet many (most?) writers make very good use of freeware...
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04-03-2008, 12:29 PM | #22 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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Software is not "mostly" free. There is software that you can "use" for free, but it is paid for by advertising $, do the developers are getting paid. Examples might be google, flicker, digg, gmail, yahoo mail, etc. This is why you don't see alot of "line of business" (boring) software out there for free. I write LOB software, and get paid to do it with the sales/support revenue from that software. I don't think writting a book so that you can enjoy it yourself is quite the same thing. BOb |
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04-03-2008, 12:35 PM | #23 | |
non-believer
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Everyone has to do something to make money to live. It's entirely appropriate that people expect to be paid for their time, effort, skill, and knowledge. That applies to book authors, software authors, and to everyone no matter what they do. If they choose to give away their work (known in some circles as volunteering), be thankful! The difference is in the attitude that things are owed to you and an accompanying lack of appreciation vs. being aware that someone is doing something nice for you that they have no obligation to do and appreciating it. Last edited by cmbs; 04-03-2008 at 12:40 PM. |
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04-03-2008, 12:36 PM | #24 | |
eBook Enthusiast
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Check out the job adverts in "Computer Weekly" or any other IT trade rag. I work mainly in web site programming and database stuff - primarily SQL Server with a bit of Oracle. You won't find too many people doing that kind of stuff "for free". |
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04-03-2008, 12:36 PM | #25 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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04-03-2008, 12:39 PM | #26 |
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I wonder what a support contract would be for a book. If you pay me this sum of money character X will not die. They characters will travel to Stockholm if you pay for this contract...
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04-03-2008, 12:39 PM | #27 |
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The fact that many IT Pro's also write "fun stuff" for free, doesn't mean that they don't also get paid for doing their "day job".
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04-03-2008, 12:41 PM | #28 | |
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And there are enough blogs out there that demonstrate that feeling and inspiration is far from enough to create good writing. |
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04-03-2008, 01:12 PM | #29 | |
Gadget Geek
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04-03-2008, 02:04 PM | #30 | |
curmudgeon
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And, even beyond that, open-source projects are nowhere near being the majority of software not even close! Or even the majority of software that is "not boring" (whether for the author or the user). Open source represents less than 1% of the software being written.* I regret to say that your facts are uncoordinated. Xenophon * I can probably turn up some references, with a bit of work. |
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e-books, guardian, piracy, times online |
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