Oh wah wah. Only in a culture as rich and decadent as ours can people whine about such things. Hello. The fact that it is even remotely possible for thousands of people to contemplate a life as a book writer is an astonishing freak occurrence in the history of the human race. Consider yourself lucky. Though for sure, that freelance tax is insane (note to writers: yeah, keep voting for Democrats).
I wrote three books, all by request of the publisher (and no, I won't pimp them here). They're all junk, but I made my deadlines and I made a few (very few) bucks. I even got some radio time for one of them. Big deal. After five minutes the thrill of having your name on a book goes away. Most of what gets published is crap, my crap included, so who really cares. Real talent generally will out in the end, and for another few your garbage will make you good money, but it usually has to be good, workmanlike garbage (channeling Steven King....). A tiny tiny bit of you will get rich, but going in expecting that is a recipe for misery.
If you're moved to write, then write. Don't expect to make money and don't expect that anyone anywhere will give a darn. My wife at the time didn't even read my freaking books. Though I do believe my mother read them. Thanks mom!!
The best thing about having been published is that people, for some odd reason, are very impressed by it. They just don't know any better.
Oh wah wah. Only in a culture as rich and decadent as ours can people whine about such things. Hello. The fact that it is even remotely possible for thousands of people to contemplate a life as a book writer is an astonishing freak occurrence in the history of the human race. Consider yourself lucky. Though for sure, that freelance tax is insane (note to writers: yeah, keep voting for Democrats).
I wrote three books, all by request of the publisher (and no, I won't pimp them here). They're all junk, but I made my deadlines and I made a few (very few) bucks. I even got some radio time for one of them. Big deal. After five minutes the thrill of having your name on a book goes away. Most of what gets published is crap, my crap included, so who really cares. Real talent generally will out in the end, and for another few your garbage will make you good money, but it usually has to be good, workmanlike garbage (channeling Steven King....). A tiny tiny bit of you will get rich, but going in expecting that is a recipe for misery.
If you're moved to write, then write. Don't expect to make money and don't expect that anyone anywhere will give a darn. My wife at the time didn't even read my freaking books. Though I do believe my mother read them. Thanks mom!!
The best thing about having been published is that people, for some odd reason, are very impressed by it. They just don't know any better.