More on Why We Write: Authors’ incomes collapse to ‘abject’ levels

Wish I had a beauty like this again. Photo copyright shordzi (Flickr)

Wish I had a beauty like this again. Photo copyright shordzi (Flickr)

Here’s more on why we write – cause like hell, it can’t be for the money. At least not for most creative writers.

This Guardian (UK) story talks about the dismal situation for novelists in the UK — and I’m sure it’s the same here or possibly worse. I have the assumption that the UK has more readers of things English, which is probably just a prejudice I have that their accent makes them smarter, thus more likely to be readers. I’m probably terribly wrong, and they’re all spending many leisure hours at the pub or the match or whatever it is they do over there when it’s raining.

Though the one thing we know they’re not doing is paying writers. So it’s sad, really, like most creative endeavors, from a monetary standpoint. And likely, getting worse than it’s been for some time.

I suppose the day may come when writers and artists will again look for wealthy patrons, maybe people like App developers in San Francisco, or hedge fund managers on Wall Street, though I suspect that works better for visual artists than for novelists. But who knows — you could auction off the right to have your name be used as a superhero protagonist in a novel series — which could mean immortality or it could mean absolutely nothing.

And that I think is why we persist, at some level. Because “it” could always happen. Your next book, story, part, song, etc., could be the one that takes the world by storm. Money and fame will follow.

But probably it won’t.

So we write because we either enjoy it or because it’s all we know how to do and can’t not write. I suspect that’s the truth for the vast majority of people who choose that lonely, often isolating existence, staring down that empty page.

If you feel like helping me earn some small income:

Booster capsules and Mast Mood oil are so effective that they are often turned to right away for a number of off-label uses. cheap viagra overnight Kamagra medications are available in the form of flavored viagra discount online jelly for people with reservations about taking medications for sexual ailments. Just do not go for heritageihc.com viagra properien any supplement without consulting your doctor. This is an US base company. levitra generic canada

If you enjoyed this article, Get email updates (It’s Free)

Share