Friday

All Writers Are Capitalist

Before you crack my skull, let me flesh this out. There are basically two categories we fall in. There are those of us who claim to write for the love and opportunity to share to the masses. We will forever write and share, ever hopeful that someone will read our stuff. We give it away for free or post a meager price for our precious piece. 

Then, there are a few of us that will write, promote, and hope to have a minute of success when our work is finally complete. We want the almighty coin. We will work and sell hard for our precious masterpiece.  

I spend way too much time reading post regarding either one of these categories. I do not mean to get political and I'm not criticizing one way or the other. I'm not even sure what the opposite of a capitalist is. Its not socialism or communism by definition. 
Are all writers capitalist?

I have a hard time believing we are not all producing for potential profit. I know there is the argument about writing for ourselves and for the love of it. However, what If I told you your work was really good and there was a market for it? I want to share your masterpiece with the world and give you the profits; You would take it.

That's capitalism in its simplest form - for those readers outside capitalist America. (Private-Individual Ownership of an item with the means to produce and profit)
We may claim we are not in it just for the money, but honey, if someone showed us the dollar - we are in. If you are still not convinced...

Let's say your item is free. You want attention and readers because you are in a writing group and you are informing people of your gift. Let's say I set up a page to sell writing to the masses. With your permission, I offer your work on my sight. Its your work, your name, all credit to you. I have the suave of a salesman. I start making money on your product that credits you. Your proclimation was once, "I just want to write from the heart, not make money." My guess is, you wouldnt stand by and watch me make money off your work. You would want a piece of the action. Well, my friends...you are a capitalist. Why does it matter?
Cause I'm calling BS on the old lines about writing for the love of it and not wanting to make money. Get real with yourselves. It's ok for writers to be capitalist. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

We Need Mentors

I have a life mentor. He is not a writing mentor, but he can still dispense great wisdom in many areas. I used to mentor students in middle ...