I told a friend that my dream would be to make a career out of writing. His response was, "And be another starving artist, why?" I find i get this response a lot from people who've never even read what i've written. Like writing as a career option is along the same lines as champion shuffleboard player. My grandparents spent the better part of a weekend trying to explain to me why writing just wasn't a lucritive career for a young man. From what i've seen and read book sales and magazine sales are still declining. Why all the direspect for writers?
people say the same thing to me. i would love to be a free lance researcher and writter. ive had a few paid gigs but its a hard buisness to break into and im aba certified and its still freaking hard. i went to a writters conference last year that helped just in the fact that i met some contacts. i just finished a huge project and submitted it to apa so well see.
That is such an aggravating attitude, unfortunately shared by 90% of the western population. A career's worth is valued by dollar bills. Maybe you could calmly tell these people: "Thanks for the advice, but I'm not after money. I'd rather have fulfillment." Why all the disrespect for writers? Here's my theory... writers, artists & musicians have always been disparaged by society simply because they enjoy their work. Most people can't stand it when someone else actually enjoys their work. Call it jealousy, frustration, impotence or whatever. Human nature.
"From what i've seen and read book sales and magazine sales are still declining." Because the population is being dumbed down, primed to sit and watch television all day long.
The market isn't dying, it's simply changing. I've been talking to a lot of people lately who do website content, and make, if not a fortune, at least a living at it. I can post some links, if anyone is interested.
Maybe that's just in America, over here (the UK) the book industry is thriving. It's getting trendy to be in book clubs or something. There was something on the news about it recently. Totally agree with Spaceduck I'm going to have a crack at being a professional writer, just couldn't imagine doing another job. Sure as hell won't make a go of it by listening to critism and crap.
Even writers with several midlists books often have to work part time. There are a lot of reasons for this but given that fiction writing success is uncertain and rarely profitable I would suggest that you develop other skills to augment your income. (e.g. technical writing, editing, other non-creatiuve writing skills)
an energy exchange...if people value your work they'll want to give something back towhat they reciebed..so you'll sell books/ make money. it also depends on what energy exchange your going to go for.... you could be an advertiser and make lots of money by subliminally brainwashing people into buying your clients product.... or you could write about thing that you value...and ,aybe only a small percetage of the population will value that..and maybe you will only make a small living...but at least it will be a living....
One word. "Sensationalism!" Plaster people lives all over the screen. Real people HATE that kind of journalism.
All the comments on this thread are excellent. I'm glad I feel the same way. Shane, I noticed that you're 20 and I know that sometimes negative criticism hurts more early on in life, because that is when you normally need the most support and understanding. The important message here to you and to others in your position is to not disparage. Continue to do what you like and enjoy your life. Painters paint, singers sing and writers write. That's the way it goes. Some people choose to lead what they regard a normal life. Good for them. If they want to look down on anyone who wants to try something different that is alright, too. The saddest thing about it isn't what they think of you, but their own lack of self-belief and their conviction that everyone else in their social circle should be content with their lot, just like them. Learn to disengage from taking these boring tossers too seriously and if possible avoid them before their gloom becomes contagious. As you'll become older, you'll reserve a special little filing section in your balls, just for these kind of social lepers. PS. I'm sure the ladies must have a similar section where they write these kind of people
Readin' Rightin' Rithmatic. If you have all these you can have the world. Artists have been suffering for milleniums. It's all about getting the point across, about making what you have attractive to someone else so they'll give you what you need and so want. So simple and yet so ..... wha? ..... fill in the space and you could be the next winner!
