Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Say you play guitar, or piano. You practice daily, and even though you aren't very good, people will still ask you to play something. They (probably) won't laugh, and they will say things like "that's pretty good" or "we should play together sometime". At a party, you can say you play the piano, and people won't immediately ask, "Oh, have you recorded anything?"
Say you paint, or sculpt. You practice daily, and even though you aren't very good, people will still ask to see your paintings or sculptures. They (probably) won't laugh, and they will say things like "that's pretty good" or "can I have that one?" At a party, you can happily say you paint, and people won't immediately ask, "Oh, have you sold anything?"
Say you write. You practice daily, and even though you are pretty good, people won't ask to see your writing. They (probably) won't laugh, but sometimes they do, so generally you don't tell anyone. At a party, if you reluctantly say you write, people will immediately ask, "Oh, have you published anything?"
Writing is a creative pursuit like any other. Why is it less legitimate if you aren't getting paid for it? How come you aren't a "real writer" until you get something published?
The above thoughts came to me a couple of years ago, in my first writing class. They were most liberating!
Consider this analogy:
I play guitar, and play for and with people sometimes, but I don't ever expect to record anything. That doesn't stop me from playing.
When I learn a new song on my guitar, I don't consider the time spent learning it wasted.
As I learn new songs on my guitar, I tend to forget old ones. Sometimes I start working on a new song, but then I lose interest. But the ones that suit me and I really like, I will learn well and will keep playing.
This means:
(1) I can write purely for the fun of it. I don't have to get anything published, ever, if I don't want to. There is nothing wrong with this.
However, it's the nature of writers that we eventually want people to read what we write, so I will probably want to get something published eventually. But even if I never do, the joy of writing is enough to make the pursuit worthwhile.
(2) there is nothing wrong with piles of discarded writing and rejected manuscripts. It's not wasted time! It's all practice, like learning to paint or play an instrument.
It's better, really, because you can always salvage something from old bits of writing. You can't do that with used paint or musical notes.
(3) I must not expect everything I write will be good enough for other people to read. Some of it will languish on my hard drive until doomsday.
I may look at it, play with it, salvage bits of it for other stories, but some of my stories will never become more than explored ideas.
Thinking this way has made my writing obsession easier to live with. :roll:
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Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
I never thought of it that way before. However, I have had a different experience from you. When I tell people I'm a writer, they never laugh, and they always ask what I've published. It is only after I tell them what sorts of novels I've published that they begin to laugh.
So, if you want a good laugh at my expense, go here:
http://www.beelinebooks.com/books.cfm?StartRow=291
My pen name is Cliff Erikson.
To err is human. I am not human.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
I can imagine: "Is any of this based on real experiences??" "Need anything proofread??" "Is Honey Pott her real name??" "Can I meet her??"
Soo... is there good money in it?
I'm not a complete idiot -- some parts are missing.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Well, I can't claim the lesbian scenes are based on personal experience.
I wish I could meet some of the models who have appeared on the covers of my books.
Unfortunately, the money stinks, which is why I stopped writing for them.
To err is human. I am not human.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
I didn't check out your site but I remember you once mentioned what you have published.
Once upon a time, a few years ago. I used to fret about all the time I spent at the keyboard with nothing but piles of disks, paper and rejection letters to show for it. then I figured out that my husband spends just as many, if not more, hours at a computer playing games and ends up with nothing to show for it. More recently I've discovered that even though I haven't published any fiction, writing it has improved my on-the-job skills. I'm a news reporter/feature writer/photographer for a newspaper. This spring I placed third in Canada for an excellence in environmental writing award. Not bad when you consider our office is in a rural Alberta town of about 2,000 people and the first and second place papers are in Ontario cities with tens of thousands of people.
I still want to get some fiction published, though. I did a story on some artists a few months ago and knew exactly how they felt when they said they were happy to have public art contracts to buy groceries and pay the bills, but were trying to make time for personal art, whether it sold or not.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
It's much harder to sell fiction, no doubt about it. Much of the blame can be placed on the glut of fiction writers. There are relatively few markets for science fiction, horror, and fantasy short stories. Indeed, I think there are more writers of these kinds of tales than there are readers. How many of us subscribe to Azimov's, Analog, or any other speculative fiction magazine? Probably only a handful.
The Internet, of course, has created new markets for writers. After a story of mine has made the rounds and been rejected by all of the print publishers, I'll turn to the Webzines and usually find a home for it. The pay is minimal (the most I've ever made is $25) or nonexistent, but I'd rather get some exposure than none at all.
To err is human. I am not human.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
The difference I think is between saying: "I write for a hobby or a pasttime," and announcing at said party that "I am a writer." If you say one of your hobbies is writing people are less likely to ask if you have had anything published, although some people probably still will. If you say you are a Writer, then people will ALWAYS ask what/if you've had anything published. If someone asks me what I do, I won't be telling them I'm a writer. At least until I have something published in print somewhere, and have been paid more than a nominal fee for it.
The point about peoples perceptions though, is well taken. Let's face it though, 90% of the people who do write, want to be then next JK Rowling (or at least want to be able to make a modest living from writing). Which of us that writes, wouldn't want to!!!
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Well said, Herbie. The truth is I never tell people I'm a writer unless I'm drunk and starving for attention.
When people ask what you do and you tell them you're a writer, they naturally assume that is what you do for a living.
To err is human. I am not human.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
I'm of a different mind set. I see no ignominy in telling people I write. However, you do have to have thick skin to then tell them you've yet to be seriously published, so if you're not willing to tell them that, I guess I can see from where others are coming. It's a tricky issue, but if I'm going to write, and attempt to do it seriously, I'm going to admit to myself I am a writer, and put that face to the world. With my current job position, (seasonal NPS park ranger) I get asked all the time what I do with my other six months, so I tell them...
----
Life is a lot like caving: Most of the time you grope around in the dark.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Ah but that as you say puts you in a slightly different position Chris. The people you talk to, probably see your work as a Park Ranger, as something noble and that in writing in your 'off' time and trying to get published you're doing something that is probably just as noble.
Again, from my experience, the more successful you are at the job you do, the more likely people are to think you're some kind of crackpot if you tell them you write in your spare time and that it's your ambition to make it your full time occupation. Even more so, if you tell them you write science-fiction or fantasy.
I do envy you your job though.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Perhaps you are correct Herbie. The uniform may add to that sense of nobility, and therefore take me more seriously at that time. But at the same time, when I'm not working for the park service or in uniform, I still tell people what I'm doing, that I'm a writer, whether to my detriment or to the person who asked.
However you do bring up a good point about the scifi-fantasy point and I think I'll start a new topic about it.
----
Life is a lot like caving: Most of the time you grope around in the dark.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
Interesting, what some people infer from the words, "I'm a writer."
After my son was born I left my job to stay home with him, at least until he started preschool. That was also about the time I started writing again, after nearly a five-year hiatus.
I got three reactions: The Usual: "Oh? What do you write? Have you been published?
The Semi-Tactful: "Oh, how interesting." (Translation: "You're unemployed.")
The Post-Feminist: "When you're not busy with your son, of course." (Translation: "Staying home with your kid is a perfectly valid choice. Stop feeling like you need to defend it!")
It did, however, get better reactions than "I'm currently staying home with our son." That kills cocktail party conversations faster than a bug in your Cosmopolitan.
/<rant
Pohl's Law: A sufficiently advanced form of technology is indistinguishable from magic. Programmer's Corollary: A sufficiently rigged demo is indistinguishable from magic.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
So saying you are a writer gets more respect than saying you take care of a child.
Hmm... what does that say about our society?
I'm not a complete idiot -- some parts are missing.
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
[quote]Once upon a time, a few years ago. I used to fret about all the time I spent at the keyboard with nothing but piles of disks, paper and rejection letters to show for it. then I figured out that my husband spends just as many, if not more, hours at a computer playing games and ends up with nothing to show for it.[/quote]
Yes, and when I think of all the time my wife wastes sleeping...I must be in it for pure personal amusement.[/quote]
Re:Why is writing viewed differently than other hobbies?
<<So saying you are a writer gets more respect than saying you take care of a child.
Hmm... what does that say about our society?>>
Not much, I'm afraid.
My sister and brother-in-law both work with kids (teaching and volunteering w/youth groups, respectively), and they put up with more B.S. for less money than most of us could tolerate. I admire the hell out of them.
Pohl's Law: A sufficiently advanced form of technology is indistinguishable from magic. Programmer's Corollary: A sufficiently rigged demo is indistinguishable from magic.