writing for the sake of it or writing for money
By mimpi
@mimpi1911 (25464)
India
February 21, 2007 6:08am CST
i am an ardent reader who could not but trace a sudden deterioration in literature quality. i read a lot of old writing stuffs from various authors and genres and recently finding a stark difference between the star quality even, in a piece by an anonymous writer of yester years and today's so called renowned authors. it has, indeed, shown a steep graph of decline in quality.
well, literature certainly reflects the society and today we are into infidelity, criminal activites and crooked thoughts and values. it's but obvious that this would get reflected in literary pieces aswell. but, does that mean at the sake of its class??
Is literature no more a work of excellence and more a mean to mint money??
pls share your thoughts.
3 people like this
14 responses
@Candee (530)
• India
14 Apr 08
I think if you are writing as profession then money is a factor and you know what money can help excite us from dormancy, in many cases writers can come out of writer's block if they get enough incentive. Personally speaking I feel, the value of good stuffs never get unnoticed. It might take time but some day or the other it will be recognised.
great topic!
1 person likes this
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
31 Mar 08
I think if we can focus our energies entirely on writing, money will come by itself. But money should not be the purpose of writing which is a creative process; rather it can be taken more in the sense of an incentive and a form of appreciation, so that you can write only for the pleasure of it.
From the facts you have presented, I get that you are more a fiction reader than non-fiction. I'm an avid reader of non fiction books, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the lofty ideas and quality writing incorporated. I strongly recommend you to read more books of non-fiction.
The best way is to find a genre that interests you and start digging deeper into it. Also the books you choose can make a difference, I normally research about a book on web before buying. I search for reviews on the book and read what they have to say. Also I try to gather facts about the book from wikipedia, and also a wee bit from myLot.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
11 Apr 08
"Good Dad Bad Dad' sounds awesome. Wish to read it sometime. I have finished reading 'The seven habits....have started 'Notes to myself" - just loving it.
What about you? How is your affair with books going?
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
2 Apr 08
Thanks for your response.
Currently I am reading Steve Covey's 'The Seven habits of Highly Effective People.' It has been an amazing read so far. I am into a lot on non-fiction reading as well. I would suggest you to read "God Delusion", in case you haven't as yet. I thought it was much hyped but once I finished reading through the pages I understood what it takes to be a Richards Dawkins.
Happy reading.
1 person likes this
@I_LUV_U (2519)
• India
9 Apr 08
Hi Mimpi,
Thanks for acquainting me with "God delusion". I read a brief account of it on the web and it sure sounds interesting. I will certainly read it once I finish the books at hand. Any other books you would like me read?
And yea, I have very much read Stephen Covey's "The 7 habits of highly effective people". The book is very profound, it offers radical solutions to most of the problems we face today and not quick-fixes or techniques. It is neatly presented with interesting anecdotes at regular intervals. A worthy read!
Presently, I am half way through Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad Poor Dad". It explains why and how the rich mostly get richer but poor remain poor. According to the author, the rich teach their children differently from the poor. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is the story of Robert kiyosaki (the author) who had the privilege of being with two dads, one rich and one poor. One taught him to work for money, whereas the other, to make money work for him. Throughout the book, Robert makes a comparison between his two dads and their perceptions of money and how they used to react differently to similar situations. As far, it has been a savoury read. However, I will have to complete it to rate and write a detailed, fairly accurate review of it.:-)
Happy reading too!
@ssh123 (31071)
• India
7 Dec 07
When I joined mylot in Aug. 2006, I thought I will be writing for money. But later I engrossed so much in the discussions and responses, I almost forgot about money and now I concentrate only on writing. Money is secondary or not even taken into consideration. This is as far as Mylot is considered. In case of others sites, of course it is obvious it is for money.
@ssh123 (31071)
• India
11 Dec 07
Thanks for good comments and special thanks for good compliments. I accept it.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
11 Dec 07
Dear Sada,
I think where writing is a passion we cannot but have to let it out just of the sake of it. Money gets secondary and optional. For ppl who write as a profession, I feel, it's good for them for when we get paid for something we love doing - it's great.
However, I would like to write for the sake of writing. This shreds us of many liabilities and baggages that comes intrinsicly with it. Mylot is a beautiful place where more than money, I think, networking and BRs act as greater incentives for me.
Thanks.
CONGRATULATIONS on your 17000.
2 people like this
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
4 Aug 08
There is no doubt a deterioration in the literature that we come across today. However I like to be an optimist Mimpi, and I'm sure that there a lot of people who still write for the sake of doing it and are really good. They only get overshadowed by the one's driven by money and fame. They will get recognised one day.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
4 Aug 08
I wish to believe the same way. Let's hope for the better.
Thanks alok.
@saivenkaat802003 (4823)
• India
2 Aug 08
To be short and precise.. i not call myself as an avid reader.. in fact i have stopped reading any kind of books..
But during my college days.. i could read all books whatever i lay my hand upon, excepting my subjects..and in way i liked the writings of Shelley, Keats, and Wordsworth..and the odes of Shakespear, and plays of him i read with immense satisfaction..
When the money has turned out to be the centre stage.. of any thing in our life.. then expecting writings, and master pieces is hardly advisable..
@Breath (1297)
• United States
25 Apr 08
I write to enlighten my soul...If i never make a penny fro my writing I would die broke and happy just to have been read and enjoyed...Writing is a persons own outlook,mind and dreams...As the world changes people changes...sometimes those changes are not good and can get carried over into the writing...Peopel do not take the time to understand the writen word and the power it brings to the mind that reads and accepts.We have to be careful in what we write because it too takes part into changing the readers views and thoughts.I always think before I speak or write.Words are waves we send to the shore of our readers minds...
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
26 Apr 08
You just spoke my ind. Do not ever change Ressie. You are what you speak, what you think and how you feel...
1 person likes this
@preetshweety (1046)
• India
21 Feb 07
Literature for me , is very personal. I have grown with them. My dad likes Bengali literature very much n Mom Hindi literature. I like both English n Hindi. I have read many novels, writings, poems. Rabindranath Tagore was gud, then I found Harivansh rai bachhan, . I like John Keats n Shakespeare. Reading all of them n now reading this age writers, make a lot of difference. There is a deterioration in quality of litt. Literature is d mirror of d society so I think that literature should always b for d uplifment and welfare of d society.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
11 Dec 07
Hi sweety,
John Keats, Shelley, Byron and ofcourse Shakespeare have been my favorite and I just love their ageless creations. I have heard a lot of Harirai Bachhan, Madhushala is a very thought provoking poetry. I wish to read more of Hindi literature, beside bengali.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
@kalav56 (11464)
• India
14 Apr 08
I agree with you though one cannot make a a sweeping general statement because there are still good writers who write with absolute clarity of thought and expression.
However, on the lighter side I do find people taking liberties with the language and new coinages and seek the escape route of English being the most adaptable language.
We Indians , as an eminent personality once pointed out, get our prepositions muddled, drop and include an article every now and then and take liberties.
However, i find in many cases, that there are many foreigners joining the club because they are unsure of their tenses and participleS.
The literary pieces of old masters , justifiably classified as classics will have a perennial appeal to us and that is why writers like P G Wodehouse are fancied throughout the world till date.
We would find the profoundness of a Milton or Shakespeare relevant to any date.
Their quality is such that it is only natural.
We are living in different times where the tastes have changed and the readers are also not probably so erudite as our forefathers.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
14 Apr 08
This was such an elevating read! You have explained it so very well. I agree to you and feel that with each passing generation our literature has also changed and what many times we feel is not appealing could be very well a gap. It's advisable to accept the change in order to move forward.
Thanks for enriching this discussion.
1 person likes this
@simplyjemz (188)
• Philippines
16 Apr 08
literature is art. if you will just write for the sake of money..you will not come up with a masterpiece. for me..i really wanna write..but i think its not my talent. though my instructor said..its just how you manage and convince yourself..you just need practice and dedication if you really wanna write..but be sure you give justice to your piece. and of course, you will need a lot of time..you must concentrate..you must give yourself to it!
being a writer..you must possess qualities/characteristics for the whole nation. literature is a tool for instruction, information and entertainment. by reading them, we can find and heal ourselves. a writer unveils his/her deepest thoughts, aspirations, pains, and joys and can paint life as it is or how he imagines it to be. thus, literature provides a way of interpreting the world and transforming the world. that is why..when you write, you have to consider a lot of things...not just for the sake of writing.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
19 Apr 08
This is very well juxtaposed and I mostly agree to your view point. Thanks for enriching this discussion.
1 person likes this
@bluewings (3857)
•
21 Feb 07
Literature has always been a mirror to the society and I don't think the quality of literary works has gone down.However,marketing has become more relevant than ever before in every discipline and written works are no exceptions.That being the case,more works that perhaps should never have made there way into a local magazine are being aggressively promoted and published .It's not a surprise,thus,that we find many books that make us feel like suing the author to have the audacity of getting his crap published.I have a habit of buying recommended works and most of the times when I didn't,I have repented.As for glamourizing of infidelity,criminanity etc I concur with you in that it's only a reflection of the order of ou society.
@Farside604 (870)
• Canada
30 Mar 08
I completly agree with you. I have not found a book that could even come close to the classic works of eras past. I must again agree that literature is a reflection of a society. I think that today society has become too shallow and as put by F. Scot Fitzgerald we abandon nobler casuese for the pursuit of material wealth. Today alot of the books have little to no meaning and the quality of writing is infact declining.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
2 Apr 08
Great input friend. I totally agree with your view point.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
@Remando (175)
•
18 Apr 08
At a time when I face unemployment (I have been unable to find a job for three months now) I faced a very hard decision.
Not wanting to waste my time, I decided to finally start concentrating on prose, rather than my first (and luckily published) passion of poetry.
I had two basic plots already lined out, one was of the chick lit variety and another is a very surreal, dark, un-genred idea that would be a great gamble to write.
I chose the second. I realised that writing for the sake of money (ie the chick lit one would have a big readership and therefore more likely to be published) was not in my heart, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
So, although jobless and writing a novel I doubt would ever get published, there is still that slim hope and I will go for my dreams, and live for my art rather than living from my art.
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
26 Apr 08
Remando,
you have elevated this discussion to a great extent. I really appreciate your righteousness and trust me only a few are there who still follow their heart and not perturbed by the false exuberance.
I am sure you will go places and your writing would be recognised and applauded. And your friend will be there with you till then...
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