There are dozens of stereotypes about authors. The most common I've heard can be summed up in this statement: 'don't quit your day job'. The fact that the arts, particularly writing, do not pay well is the initial perception non-authors usually consider. Perhaps this saying has become so tied to writing because writing is an activity requiring significant time investment that generally does not pay off financially. Part of the reason is competition – there's just so much literature in the world. You could be the next William Shakespeare but if your book isn't marketed at least a little it will likely never sell more than a dozen copies.
Visual artists face similar hurtles yet the Information Age offers many avenues for success in their calling. Experiencing a piece of visual art (generally) requires far less time investment than reading a story. While the period it takes to experience art does not always link to financial success, the ability to quickly judge thousands of pieces is suited to a generation used to a visual medium where attention spans are short.
Literary works also have additional competition in the digital era – fanfiction. The desire to continue the journey with favourite character(s) in the same or different context is one I completely understand. I read a good deal of fanfiction and even contribute to several of my favourite fandoms. It is, however, necessary to acknowledge that fanfiction is undoubtedly competition for unique narratives. Every fanfiction I read means I'm not reading one original story. Ultimately, enjoyment of the literary genre is a success, no matter the contents.
As the world and its mediums for storytelling continue evolving, literary works will change along with them. Staying relevant and attracting the attention of potential readers are the biggest challenges for modern authors. There's no magic answer – just the increased importance of marketing in an author's life.
Visual artists face similar hurtles yet the Information Age offers many avenues for success in their calling. Experiencing a piece of visual art (generally) requires far less time investment than reading a story. While the period it takes to experience art does not always link to financial success, the ability to quickly judge thousands of pieces is suited to a generation used to a visual medium where attention spans are short.
Literary works also have additional competition in the digital era – fanfiction. The desire to continue the journey with favourite character(s) in the same or different context is one I completely understand. I read a good deal of fanfiction and even contribute to several of my favourite fandoms. It is, however, necessary to acknowledge that fanfiction is undoubtedly competition for unique narratives. Every fanfiction I read means I'm not reading one original story. Ultimately, enjoyment of the literary genre is a success, no matter the contents.
As the world and its mediums for storytelling continue evolving, literary works will change along with them. Staying relevant and attracting the attention of potential readers are the biggest challenges for modern authors. There's no magic answer – just the increased importance of marketing in an author's life.
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