If your questions are not rhetorical, then I would say: yes, keep putting different irons in the fire. Definitely pursue what's paying off now, but stick some eggs in other baskets (gotta love my cliched metaphors here!) because things keep changing.
For myself, I've stepped back from writing for publication. The industry contracting (always contracting; it seems like it has been in a perpetual End Times for decades now [and ironically some of those decades are now seen as golden eras!]), the ever-shifting and energy-sucking landscape of promotional activities, and the ever-growing sea of available art by so many others made me really wonder: Do I really need to do this? Would anyone miss me if I left this party that has gotten so noisy and crowded and run out of food?
I had the luxury (by design) of not depending on writing for my income. And it's been a relief to leave the party. But I do hope the party continues, and I wish other writers well, and I want writing and reading to thrive. I am an avid reader, and I hope books don't become a rare, niche form of art.
And yet, to be optimistic here: writing does seem to have become more ubiquitous, even if people don't read as many books. People stare at screens all day long. And they're staring at a lot of pictures, sure, but humans also crave story. And even a video may need a script (or at least an outline). Blogs, and then newsletters and podcasts, became new ways for people to absorb stories. TV series still capture people's attention. The form that our stories take, and the way these stories find an audience, seems always to be in flux, but underneath is that enduring longing for story.
Everything you say is true! It is the best of times and the worst times, in so many ways. There is more "writing" and more "opportunity," but it's not the traditional kind. Anyone who wants to make a living writing really needs to appreciate and internalize this, I think.
It's funny how I've been hearing about the collapse of publishing all my career too. The thing is, I think it's kinda true. There have been bright spots -- YA in the 00s, MG in the teens. But I think the general trajectory is that it's getting hard and harder ... unless you consider self-publishing. But that has seen a kind of collapse too!
Things are always changing, and they're changing faster now. Man, you gotta be on your toes!
I find it astonishing that people are even still able to write novels, as in, to sink the enormous bodily effort into it; it seems a neat negation of the idea that 'an audience' (even if only implied) is a prerequisite for literary activity.
It's always a huge leap of faith. But it does feel like a bigger leap these days, since the audience and distribution network is dissolving before our eyes.
What do you suppose is at the heart of the dearth of middle school and YA publication? Is it, I wonder, related to how digital the world is becoming, especially for kids? Do they ever read anything these days? What if the Harry Potter series were just appearing? Do they listen to audiobooks?
I think it's a lot of things: the industry became very insular, with editors publishing books that have a passionate fan base (20-30-something women) but narrow overall appeal, especially to actual kids and teens (IMHO); a collapse in attention spans and "time" due to media devices and social media; a collapse in book media, except TikTok; and too many books in general being published.
I was pondering the same question! What’s telling to me is that the publisher did say that a graphic novel would sell. It makes me wonder if it’s a consequence of attenuated attention spans in Gen Alpha as the result of digital overstimulation (though other generations aren’t exempt from that consequence of our always-online world as well)! That’s my theory, but I could be off-base and am also curious as to what potential explanations could be.
I think that is a huge part of it, yes. Every teacher I know says that kids simply are less able to read and comprehend what they read. We've become a visual society.
I wonder if the loss of reading comprehension could be mainly due to the lack of uninterrupted time to concentrate on anything. Our devices seem to maximize distractability, with their constant pinging notifications and their temptations to multitask.
This makes me sad as I really like your fiction…but in all honesty not as interested in your Substacks.
I much prefer writing fiction too. Unfortunately, no publishers seem to share my enthusiasm. 😂
If your questions are not rhetorical, then I would say: yes, keep putting different irons in the fire. Definitely pursue what's paying off now, but stick some eggs in other baskets (gotta love my cliched metaphors here!) because things keep changing.
For myself, I've stepped back from writing for publication. The industry contracting (always contracting; it seems like it has been in a perpetual End Times for decades now [and ironically some of those decades are now seen as golden eras!]), the ever-shifting and energy-sucking landscape of promotional activities, and the ever-growing sea of available art by so many others made me really wonder: Do I really need to do this? Would anyone miss me if I left this party that has gotten so noisy and crowded and run out of food?
I had the luxury (by design) of not depending on writing for my income. And it's been a relief to leave the party. But I do hope the party continues, and I wish other writers well, and I want writing and reading to thrive. I am an avid reader, and I hope books don't become a rare, niche form of art.
And yet, to be optimistic here: writing does seem to have become more ubiquitous, even if people don't read as many books. People stare at screens all day long. And they're staring at a lot of pictures, sure, but humans also crave story. And even a video may need a script (or at least an outline). Blogs, and then newsletters and podcasts, became new ways for people to absorb stories. TV series still capture people's attention. The form that our stories take, and the way these stories find an audience, seems always to be in flux, but underneath is that enduring longing for story.
Everything you say is true! It is the best of times and the worst times, in so many ways. There is more "writing" and more "opportunity," but it's not the traditional kind. Anyone who wants to make a living writing really needs to appreciate and internalize this, I think.
It's funny how I've been hearing about the collapse of publishing all my career too. The thing is, I think it's kinda true. There have been bright spots -- YA in the 00s, MG in the teens. But I think the general trajectory is that it's getting hard and harder ... unless you consider self-publishing. But that has seen a kind of collapse too!
Things are always changing, and they're changing faster now. Man, you gotta be on your toes!
Good observations, all. Thanks!
I find it astonishing that people are even still able to write novels, as in, to sink the enormous bodily effort into it; it seems a neat negation of the idea that 'an audience' (even if only implied) is a prerequisite for literary activity.
It's always a huge leap of faith. But it does feel like a bigger leap these days, since the audience and distribution network is dissolving before our eyes.
What do you suppose is at the heart of the dearth of middle school and YA publication? Is it, I wonder, related to how digital the world is becoming, especially for kids? Do they ever read anything these days? What if the Harry Potter series were just appearing? Do they listen to audiobooks?
I think it's a lot of things: the industry became very insular, with editors publishing books that have a passionate fan base (20-30-something women) but narrow overall appeal, especially to actual kids and teens (IMHO); a collapse in attention spans and "time" due to media devices and social media; a collapse in book media, except TikTok; and too many books in general being published.
"... too many books in general being published." Truer words were never spoke.
I was pondering the same question! What’s telling to me is that the publisher did say that a graphic novel would sell. It makes me wonder if it’s a consequence of attenuated attention spans in Gen Alpha as the result of digital overstimulation (though other generations aren’t exempt from that consequence of our always-online world as well)! That’s my theory, but I could be off-base and am also curious as to what potential explanations could be.
I think that is a huge part of it, yes. Every teacher I know says that kids simply are less able to read and comprehend what they read. We've become a visual society.
I wonder if the loss of reading comprehension could be mainly due to the lack of uninterrupted time to concentrate on anything. Our devices seem to maximize distractability, with their constant pinging notifications and their temptations to multitask.
This is why I love my kindle paperwhite with no internet connection. I think any time you are "online," you attention is scattered.