Being a writer for hire--a hack--is just about the only reason for being a writer. I am wary of anyone who says he or she writes simply for the art, the experience, the opportunity for expression, or the need to be heard. That kind of sentiment and some small change can get you a senior coffee at McDonald's but little else in the world. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with art for art's sake. But it does not pay the bills, put food on the table, or keep the roof over your head. Now--having said all of that--I admit that I inhabit an environment that is full of the anti-hack writers (academia), and most of those folks write without direct compensation (which is sad) but do so in order to get their names in print (which is a requirement for tenure--which, when you get right down to it, it writing for money, which makes all those academics hacks too. I wonder if I should tell them.) Of course, the irony in all of this is the world of blogging wherein people are writing obsessively and compulsively without compensation. Well, there are some things to think about.
Well, R.T., go ahead and be wary of what I do. After all, I'm plenty wary of what academics do - and I worked for a number of years at university, so I speak from experience.
As to why, let's just say I prefer my independence. Or that I'd rather not have to eat my words.
None of which means I have anything against hacks. But at least I'm willing to give amateurs the benefit of the doubt. There are a good number of amateur musicians where I live who play as well as the professionals; why not writers?
Being a writer for hire--a hack--is just about the only reason for being a writer. I am wary of anyone who says he or she writes simply for the art, the experience, the opportunity for expression, or the need to be heard. That kind of sentiment and some small change can get you a senior coffee at McDonald's but little else in the world. Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with art for art's sake. But it does not pay the bills, put food on the table, or keep the roof over your head. Now--having said all of that--I admit that I inhabit an environment that is full of the anti-hack writers (academia), and most of those folks write without direct compensation (which is sad) but do so in order to get their names in print (which is a requirement for tenure--which, when you get right down to it, it writing for money, which makes all those academics hacks too. I wonder if I should tell them.) Of course, the irony in all of this is the world of blogging wherein people are writing obsessively and compulsively without compensation. Well, there are some things to think about.
ReplyDeleteWell, R.T., go ahead and be wary of what I do. After all, I'm plenty wary of what academics do - and I worked for a number of years at university, so I speak from experience.
ReplyDeleteAs to why, let's just say I prefer my independence. Or that I'd rather not have to eat my words.
None of which means I have anything against hacks. But at least I'm willing to give amateurs the benefit of the doubt. There are a good number of amateur musicians where I live who play as well as the professionals; why not writers?
Perhaps the irony of what I was trying to say was not well presented. I'll let it go at that.
ReplyDeleteWell, you stated the ironies outright, so they couldn't be missed. Perhaps it's my mistake for not taking them in the right spirit.
ReplyDelete