Comments on: Today’s speakers http://sandblox.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/todays-speakers/ <3 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 05:29:37 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: mrpibb http://sandblox.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/todays-speakers/#comment-37 mrpibb Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:08:03 +0000 http://sandblox.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/todays-speakers/#comment-37 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. 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.

]]> By: BW http://sandblox.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/todays-speakers/#comment-35 BW Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:39:47 +0000 http://sandblox.wordpress.com/2007/12/12/todays-speakers/#comment-35 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. 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.

]]>