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rolanniAs previously mentioned in these pages, Catherynne M. Valente is writing her new novel live on the web. You can, and should, read the first chapter -- go ahead and do it now; I'll be here when you get back.
*redlines a page of Mouse and Dragon*
Back? Good. You'll notice that Cat is asking for donations from those who like what they see. I hope that you'll consider making a donation, if the budget can bear the weight. Even if there isn't any money (and, boy, do I know about how there might not be any money), feel free to follow along with the story -- you don't have to pay to play.
Now, there's another thing going on here besides a good story getting writ. Cat has made no secret of the fact that her decision to serialize is fueled by a lack of money in her budget. You can read about that, too if you're curious. We did kind of the same thing, a year or two ago. We weren't as upfront about our straits as Cat's been, but I doubt we fooled anybody who could connect three dots. What really impressed me about that experiment was the generosity and support -- by which I do not mean "money," though the money was very, very welcome -- that came our way. People are amazing. Our readers are amazing.
Unfortunately, some folks apparently live for the opportunity to make someone else's burden heavier. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Cat find a "real" or "safe" job; that serializing and asking for donations is somehow...unsavory. Childish.
I dunno where some people were raised, myself. I write for money. Most writers do. It's a job -- it happens to be a job I enjoy (mostly, she says, frowning at All That Red on the page) -- and that's a damn good thing, because I don't think I've ever had a day-job as demanding, wearying, and infuriating. I didn't decide to be a writer because I hate to work. I decided to be a writer because I like writing more than any other work I've ever done, and I'm good enough at it that I can make money doing it. More money, I may say, than I make at my nice, "safe" day-job. The reason I stick the day-job is because it pays the health insurance, and at my age and condition, it's just irresponsible to run without health insurance.
Necessity.
We all make decisions based on necessity. We do the best we can, aiming to be self-sufficient and before the world. And yet, sometimes circumstances overtake us despite our best planning. That's called Life.
We're none of us safe, and nobody leaves the game alive. We need each other. We need each other's support, and care.
...end rant...
*redlines a page of Mouse and Dragon*
Back? Good. You'll notice that Cat is asking for donations from those who like what they see. I hope that you'll consider making a donation, if the budget can bear the weight. Even if there isn't any money (and, boy, do I know about how there might not be any money), feel free to follow along with the story -- you don't have to pay to play.
Now, there's another thing going on here besides a good story getting writ. Cat has made no secret of the fact that her decision to serialize is fueled by a lack of money in her budget. You can read about that, too if you're curious. We did kind of the same thing, a year or two ago. We weren't as upfront about our straits as Cat's been, but I doubt we fooled anybody who could connect three dots. What really impressed me about that experiment was the generosity and support -- by which I do not mean "money," though the money was very, very welcome -- that came our way. People are amazing. Our readers are amazing.
Unfortunately, some folks apparently live for the opportunity to make someone else's burden heavier. Some have gone so far as to suggest that Cat find a "real" or "safe" job; that serializing and asking for donations is somehow...unsavory. Childish.
I dunno where some people were raised, myself. I write for money. Most writers do. It's a job -- it happens to be a job I enjoy (mostly, she says, frowning at All That Red on the page) -- and that's a damn good thing, because I don't think I've ever had a day-job as demanding, wearying, and infuriating. I didn't decide to be a writer because I hate to work. I decided to be a writer because I like writing more than any other work I've ever done, and I'm good enough at it that I can make money doing it. More money, I may say, than I make at my nice, "safe" day-job. The reason I stick the day-job is because it pays the health insurance, and at my age and condition, it's just irresponsible to run without health insurance.
Necessity.
We all make decisions based on necessity. We do the best we can, aiming to be self-sufficient and before the world. And yet, sometimes circumstances overtake us despite our best planning. That's called Life.
We're none of us safe, and nobody leaves the game alive. We need each other. We need each other's support, and care.
...end rant...
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 05:08 pm (UTC)::sigh:: Gee, if all it took to get a day job was someone suggesting it, I'm pretty sure the unemployment rate would be a LOT lower!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 05:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 05:26 pm (UTC)What she's doing is great, for so many reasons....
no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 05:29 pm (UTC)She talks about it here: http://yuki-onna.livejournal.com/488927.html
Necessity
Date: 2009-06-17 05:59 pm (UTC)Now that, considering some of the things you've mentioned here about the day job, is dismaying.
I've got Cat's tale bookmarked but haven't decided yet whether to read it or contribute. (No pun intended! Honest!)
But as for her critics they have a necessity too.
They need to get a life.
Re: Necessity
Date: 2009-06-17 09:29 pm (UTC)The single biggest complaint I have about the day-job is that I have to spend too much time when I could -- and want to be -- writing dealing with somebody else's idiotic details.
This category neatly contains human stupidity, overwork, cluelessness and all the other things I gripe about here.
They need to get a life.
Yes. They do.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 06:47 pm (UTC)Some people are called to be healers. Some to be ministers. Some to create the buildings we live in, make the food we eat, and so on. And some people are called to create the worlds that help salve our souls, provoke our thoughts, send us to other universes, and sometimes... just provide us with fun. There are so many things that a writer can give to their readers.
It's a hell of a job. There is editing, meeting deadlines, writing to spec, and so much else involved. Not everyone who tries to make it succeeds. Just like any other job. I'm sure that those who say such things think the very same thing about musicians. Harumph. I defy them to try doing the amount of work involved in either profession.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 07:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 09:59 pm (UTC)Thank you for that.
Sistine pimpery
Date: 2009-06-17 10:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-17 11:49 pm (UTC)Consolation
Date: 2009-06-18 12:34 pm (UTC)