I know that it's hard making a writer or an artist. But I am not comfortable with the notion that art or writing -- and disseminating it -- should only be the province of those who get paid for it. Which is the point I took away from Hendrix's rant.
I can't speak for science fiction -- I don't read it, and only buy it in book form for others. But I do read a lot of non-fiction writing of various sorts on the net.
My LiveJournal is rambling about my life. My other blog is not -- it is, as Serene mentioned, unpaid volunteer writing. I've never been published, and probably could not be, so what I do may well fall outside the purview of Hendrix's rant, I don't know. Many of the blogs I read are performing unpaid journalism. Dave Niewert's Orcinus performs a valuable public service in keeping people abreast of continuing developments in the anti-immigration movement, among other things, for example. He also has ads for his books on his site. He operates basically on PayPal contributions. According to Hendix's rant, that's wrong. But reading Orcinus or any one of the political/news blogs I read doesn't mean I don't also read the Mercury News and the St. Petersburg Times, and watch the eleven o'clock news (once in a while -- I usually read my news).
I could never get hired to write a traditional newspaper column. I won't lie and say it wouldn't be nice to reach lots of readers -- someday I may actually get around to doing the sort of groundwork one needs to do to have a very popular blog. (Not to mention reestablishing a regular blogging schedule: ) ) In any case, the Internet allows people who have something to say a place to speak, and a place to practice their craft.
I have a feeling that this is a place we'll just have to disagree on, and that's okay.
I don't have poached eggs, but I do have a pot of red beans and rice cooking, even though those won't be done until tonight : )
no subject
I can't speak for science fiction -- I don't read it, and only buy it in book form for others. But I do read a lot of non-fiction writing of various sorts on the net.
My LiveJournal is rambling about my life. My other blog is not -- it is, as Serene mentioned, unpaid volunteer writing. I've never been published, and probably could not be, so what I do may well fall outside the purview of Hendrix's rant, I don't know. Many of the blogs I read are performing unpaid journalism. Dave Niewert's Orcinus performs a valuable public service in keeping people abreast of continuing developments in the anti-immigration movement, among other things, for example. He also has ads for his books on his site. He operates basically on PayPal contributions. According to Hendix's rant, that's wrong. But reading Orcinus or any one of the political/news blogs I read doesn't mean I don't also read the Mercury News and the St. Petersburg Times, and watch the eleven o'clock news (once in a while -- I usually read my news).
I could never get hired to write a traditional newspaper column. I won't lie and say it wouldn't be nice to reach lots of readers -- someday I may actually get around to doing the sort of groundwork one needs to do to have a very popular blog. (Not to mention reestablishing a regular blogging schedule: ) ) In any case, the Internet allows people who have something to say a place to speak, and a place to practice their craft.
I have a feeling that this is a place we'll just have to disagree on, and that's okay.
I don't have poached eggs, but I do have a pot of red beans and rice cooking, even though those won't be done until tonight : )