(no subject)

[bubosquared]

I don't think I'll ever understand the "I'm not writing this for publication, so I'm not gonna work as hard on this as I would on a story that I'd get paid for" attitude. You're putting it out on the Net. That is publication. What the fuck kind of writer writes for money?

Comments

[darthneko.livejournal.com]

What the fuck kind of writer writes for money?

Really really BAD ones! (see: A. Rice, M. Lackey, A. McCaffrey, etc...)

[bubosquared.livejournal.com]

But: S. King (his short stories, non fiction and fantasy series), P.Z. Brite, ...

[sunshinegirl.livejournal.com]

*agrees*

That always pisses me off too. Generally my reaction is: Well, if you can't put your best effort into writing a story, why should I put my best effort into reading it?

[bubosquared.livejournal.com]

Exactly. :)

[arkane156.livejournal.com]

Well...

On the one hand, I can relate to that. I mean, I'm probably never going to write War and Peace if I'm not getting paid for it. Because I'm just that much of a hack.

But on the other hand...

The ones that get me are the "writers" who barely make a minimum effort, but turn around and throw tantrums if anyone suggests they aren't the second coming of Anais Nin. It's like they think they aren't obligated to write decently, but the rest of us *are* obligated to love their work. Which makes no fucking sense to me. I mean, if you cooked for a hobby, would you serve your guests undercooked, over-seasoned meat and then bitch when they didn't want to eat it?

Hey, if people don't want to spellcheck, or write in coherent sentences, fine. It's a free country. But if they absolutely can't deal with the fact that not doing those things is going to cost them readers, then maybe they'd be happier finding a new hobby.

[orangekoi.livejournal.com]

All of which is why I've learned to stay away from fanfic MLs. 'C&C is welcome,' generally means, "Tell me how much you love me! Please?! I need food for my dying ego!" Any real, constructive criticism is met with indignance and ranting as incoherent and inarticulate as the work you're critiquing.

Regardless of how many times they transposed vowels or used the word "practically" three times in a single paragraph, the implication that their straight-off-the-conveyor-belt weepy fluff isn't Doctor Zhivago evokes outrage from both the writer and the list members who replied with, "Oh my God I love it!! Very nice I think they were wonderful pleeeaz write more!"

[bubosquared.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, because We Mustn't Discourage The Writers! As a writer, I'd like to flip that attitude the finger. Wankers. Writers are not gods.

[lordlucan.livejournal.com]

By the same token, most peoples' motivation for doing their job is getting paid. I've always thought that an artist of any kind who says "I don't care about the money" is a liar and a wanker. It's why I go busking at nights. It's not for the music it's because I want to fucking eat! If writing (or whatever your chosen art form is) is your job, then you are doing it for the money
Nothing wrong with being honest and admitting it.

But, I do agree with what you said about people not putting the effort in if there's no money in it. In all the arts you do have to work for free a lot at the beginning, and it's a good idea to continue to do so from time to time when you eventually do start getting paid. You just have to do the best job you can.

[bubosquared.livejournal.com]

I've yet to make a signle, solitary penny from my writing. One day I may publish for money, but the writing will always be because there's these voices in my head that won't shut up, no matter how many times I beat my head against a variety of solid objects.

But yeah, that was my point. :) The "It's just fanfic" attitude has always irked me. Whatever the nature/genre/tone of your story, you should always put the same amount of effort into telling it. "It's just lt;whatever>" shows a real disregard for your own story as well as for the audience of said story.

Re:

[lordlucan.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I see your point. I guess it's the same with my music - my head is full of music that I have this desperate desire to translate into sound, otherwise it's pointless. The money side of it is just because music is the only thing I'm really any good at, so I can't see myself earning a living any other way.

Busking, however, is just for the money.

[bubosquared.livejournal.com]

*nod* I write for myself, but I publish for money (hypothetically) and attention (online -- though most of the attention is just in my head ^_^).

Busking?

Re:

[lordlucan.livejournal.com]

Busking = stret performance. I play flutes and stuff for coins (sometimes notes) thrown by members of the general public