Today’s speakers
The speakers today were very interesting. I enjoyed hearing their persepectives of creative writing and the descriptions of their courses. However, I felt they were very discouraging for those who are majoring in Writing Arts, in saying that if you consider yourself a creative writer most likely you won’t get a job. This doesn’t really apply to me because I’m elementary ed major and writing arts. The speakers made me more aware of the struggle writers have to make a living. I didn’t realize that if you publish a few good books that you necessarily wouldn’t be recognized in the world of writers.
December 12, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Yes, I agree that the discussion was quite sobering, but I think that it is important for everyone to understand. Writers, if you think about it throughout history, and for the most part had professions that paid the bills and allowed them to write. TS Eliot and Wallace Stevens were bankers, for example, and most poets and novel writers today are teachers. The reality is, of course, that one writes so-called creatively when they can, but must work in order to live. That is why so many novelists and poets are freelance writers, or journalists, or teachers, or bankers, or whatever. Until you are lucky enough to get the big break, have a best seller than is turned into a movie, you write creatively for the sake of writing, not in order to put food on the table.
The life of a writer is a good one, as they are doing something that brings them great pleasure. Just like in all walks of life, you work hard to be able to have time to do the things that bring you pleasure. Writing is no different.
December 13, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I learned this harsh lesson early on in my career in writing, which is why I have plans on getting a master’s in something not writing. I like to look at writing as a hobby with potential to pay off. Plus it’s soooo much fun to write.