Hey, Swatkat...you've been linked on the Daily Snitch. Muy impressive, my dear.
Yes, I'm quite surprised. And flattered. It's great to have such nice people come to chat, though. *g*
While I agree that there are some useful distinctions between the two words, I suspect that part of the conversation is being driven by the need, of some people, to "be" something they feel gives them some status: i.e., "I'm an Author, not a mere writer." I don't derive my sense of self-identity from writing activities, and so the distinction isn't as earthshakingly important to me.
I think you've nailed the driving force behind that conversation, and the reason why it irritated me to the point of this rant. I confess that it's difficult for me to understand their perspective. All I can see is someone trying to 'be something' by effectively slamming everyone else – regardless of their capabilities and the effort that they put in behind their writing – and that is quite annoying.
In the past, people used to entertain themselves more than they used to (in part because they had to, of course) -- today, everything is a commodity. If you can't sell what you do, then it has little value.
That's so right. Most people will not get that there are some folks out there who don't *want* to sell what they do.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2004-10-15 11:24 am (UTC)Yes, I'm quite surprised. And flattered. It's great to have such nice people come to chat, though. *g*
While I agree that there are some useful distinctions between the two words, I suspect that part of the conversation is being driven by the need, of some people, to "be" something they feel gives them some status: i.e., "I'm an Author, not a mere writer." I don't derive my sense of self-identity from writing activities, and so the distinction isn't as earthshakingly important to me.
I think you've nailed the driving force behind that conversation, and the reason why it irritated me to the point of this rant. I confess that it's difficult for me to understand their perspective. All I can see is someone trying to 'be something' by effectively slamming everyone else – regardless of their capabilities and the effort that they put in behind their writing – and that is quite annoying.
In the past, people used to entertain themselves more than they used to (in part because they had to, of course) -- today, everything is a commodity. If you can't sell what you do, then it has little value.
That's so right. Most people will not get that there are some folks out there who don't *want* to sell what they do.
Swatkat