06-28-2012, 10:04 AM | #46 | |
Wizard
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To be clear Steven,
First I respect you and have no intention to insult or degrade you in anyway. I WRITE because I love too... I PUBLISH and MARKET because I would like some money. If that was not the case I would put them all on Smash for free. I do not. Perhaps you do not mean to but you come across as you write because you want money. There is NOTHING wrong with that, I just do not see that as a realistic expectation to make a living at doing this. I would love to be wrong on this point BTW. And to be clear the proper quote is: Quote:
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06-28-2012, 11:39 AM | #47 | ||
Grand Sorcerer
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Quote:
Quote:
So far, the best actual advice I've heard from anyone was to start writing something popular (though it saddens my heart to think SF isn't popular enough in itself). No, I'm not going to start writing sparkly vampires; but there may be other popular tropes I can handle. Of course, I suppose I could try to supplement my income by doing something I do badly instead... (Shatnerian pause) but why? I'd much rather try to figure out how to get something I like to do, and do well, pay a dividend. But listening to a lot of "not gonna happen" comments doesn't help. |
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06-28-2012, 04:02 PM | #48 |
Wizard
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First, do not give up based on some dorks posting on a forum
It might happen, but if you were in Vegas placing bets you would likely never be on an indy writer to make it big. It DOES happen, and I hope it does happen for you (and me to while we are at it!) I agree it would be cool to quite my day jobs and only be an author full time. As I have stated, I do have money motive too, I just do not expect to get rich. I do get a check (well 2 actually, 1 for UK, 1 for USA) from Amazon every month. You can make SOME money doing it. That seems fairly easy (since I am currently doing that). I guess my point is that it is about setting realistic expectations. Want to make couple-few hundred extra a month? Sure! Go for it. That should be doable for most decent writers. Want to make $100k/year? Eh... I would not place my bets on that. It DOES happen, so nothing wrong with trying. As for advice, I have posted my plan several times, and each time have been told it does not work, it sucks, its stupid, whatever. (I have to look for old posts but I am pretty sure you were among those who said my plan was bad.) So I have stopped mentioning it but I am continuing to follow it. |
06-28-2012, 10:03 PM | #49 | |
cacoethes scribendi
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No one can tell you definitely that it won't happen for you, it might. And yes, you really should try - as you have been - because it (almost) certainly won't happen unless you do try. My previous posts were about expectations rather than hopes. I think most writers hope to find an appreciated audience, I know I do. And money provides a concrete measure of a work's acceptance that simple downloads and even reviews do not. So don't give up, and certainly don't give up hope ... but maybe adjust your expectations a little. |
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06-28-2012, 10:13 PM | #50 | |
Blue Captain
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Lots more people will tell them they aren't good enough and to give up on that and be realistic. What makes one type of entertainer more special snowflake than another? |
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06-29-2012, 07:21 AM | #51 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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06-29-2012, 08:38 AM | #52 | |
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I reiterate: I'm seeking to supplement my existing income; not to make a few dozen million dollars in a few years and retiring to buy a car dealership. The analogy isn't even close. |
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06-29-2012, 08:41 AM | #53 |
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06-29-2012, 08:55 AM | #54 |
Not scared!
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06-29-2012, 09:07 AM | #55 |
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06-29-2012, 10:32 AM | #56 | |
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06-29-2012, 11:06 AM | #57 |
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Let's get back to the original post for a moment, because I'm actually not hearing many responses that address what I consider to be a major question (and because my original comment really wasn't just about getting paid):
Suppose you spent most of a year--maybe more than a year--creating a special piece of art, or a manuscript, etc, that you were convinced the world needed to see, and would be better off having. Now, suppose that, once it was finished, you couldn't get anyone to look at it. No one at all. Therefore no appreciation, no accolades, no "job well done, sir." And it looked like no one was ever going to see it. How would that knowledge impact you? Would you consider your time and effort wasted? If you knew that a future project would achieve the same results (ie, no one would ever see it), would you be as inclined to spend that time and effort to create it? Do you really create only for you, or do you in fact crave a pat on the back, even if it's from only one person, to make your effort worthwhile? |
06-29-2012, 11:41 AM | #58 |
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How many people continue to paint despite their paintings never being displayed anywhere but on their own walls? Art supply stores would dry up if it wasn't for such people.
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06-29-2012, 12:00 PM | #59 |
Grand Sorcerer
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06-29-2012, 12:18 PM | #60 | ||
Feral Underclass
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Quote:
Quote:
I think writing for your own amusement (as a hobby) is really the only way to look at it. If you don't get any entertainment value from it, there's really no point. Vast amounts of money wouldn't change that either. |
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