This feels like a topic that all artists tackle at some point in their personal journeys. Selling out can broadly be described as creating 'art' for monetary reward rather than because the artist is inspired to create. The stigma associated with it is always negative, but to varying degrees of intensity. Some people will be more sympathetic to artists who use their skills to make a living, even if the artist may not believe in the content created. The artist is, after all, practicing and, hopefully, improving their craft. In doing so, they may be better positioned to promote their original work.
Others see any deviance from the muse's desires as a betrayal of an artist's gifts. Ultimately, an artist needs to decide what they're comfortable using their skill for. Personally, I would not use my writing to support a cause or view I do not believe in. I also can't say I'd be comfortable constructing narratives to sell products. I could honestly review a product from personal experience but, to avoid potential bias, would not accept money from the product's company. Even accepting a product for review at no cost can subtly influence an opinion.
My motivation for writing anything other than stories (which are my primary literary passion) is the hope that I can help improve people's lives. An example of this is when, for a short time, I wrote articles for a website called 'Human Answers'. The topics I wrote about mainly concerned the environment and agriculture, two areas in which I have a vested interest. I also wrote about personal fulfillment in connection to, as well as separate from, the those subjects. As I review those articles, I may post some of them here.
What topics are you passionate about? What are the avenues through which you explore your creativity or support for those passions? If a business offered you money to create something for them, would you accept? Would it depend on the project's intention or just the project itself? What are your views on artists, creativity and monetary compensation? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
Others see any deviance from the muse's desires as a betrayal of an artist's gifts. Ultimately, an artist needs to decide what they're comfortable using their skill for. Personally, I would not use my writing to support a cause or view I do not believe in. I also can't say I'd be comfortable constructing narratives to sell products. I could honestly review a product from personal experience but, to avoid potential bias, would not accept money from the product's company. Even accepting a product for review at no cost can subtly influence an opinion.
My motivation for writing anything other than stories (which are my primary literary passion) is the hope that I can help improve people's lives. An example of this is when, for a short time, I wrote articles for a website called 'Human Answers'. The topics I wrote about mainly concerned the environment and agriculture, two areas in which I have a vested interest. I also wrote about personal fulfillment in connection to, as well as separate from, the those subjects. As I review those articles, I may post some of them here.
What topics are you passionate about? What are the avenues through which you explore your creativity or support for those passions? If a business offered you money to create something for them, would you accept? Would it depend on the project's intention or just the project itself? What are your views on artists, creativity and monetary compensation? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving a comment below!
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