A writer should write for themselves. Really???

[Changing_Destiny]

I don't mean to be antagonistic with this post, so sorry if it comes off that way.

On different sites lately I have seen the remark made that content producers should create for themselves and that they shouldn't expect anything in return. Heck, variations of this comment have been made on some sites so often that it might as well be a trope at this point.

So, I have three questions for anyone willing to take a stab at them...

Q1) If one believes that a content producer really should only create for themselves, then would that same person agree that a content producer shouldn't bother with spell checking, punctuation, and other grammar checking? After all proofing and compiling their work into a format suitable for the internet isn't really about the content producer, but it is a courtesy done for the reader.

Q2) If one believes that a content producer shouldn't expect anything in return for the work they have done, then should that person in turn have the right to expect anything in return? I mean to expect a content producer shouldn't expect anything and then to expect them to provide content, proofing, or to curtail to your whims – isn't that hypocritical?

Q3) Is the whole statement, "That content producers should create for themselves and that they shouldn't expect anything in return." a load of bull-dust being waved around by very lazy, and very selfish people as a justification for their actions?

Well thank you for your time.



PS. When we are speaking 'something in return,' we aren't speaking about money – we are talking about, 'Thank you,' or 'I liked this content because...' OR , 'I didn't like this content because...'

[bit]

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[mercury01]

Your first question is pretty disingenuous. I don't think I've met a creative person who didn't take some kind of pride in their work, and that meant striving to improve their craftsmanship skills. Writers try to use their best spelling and grammar because the writer is a reader too. Even if they never show anyone else their writing, they know what kind of work they put into it.

Don’t let your happiness be dependent on the actions of other people.

Ding ding ding.

[Blackbeen]

Yes, REALLY.

[Matt L.]

Greetings,

Let me start out by saying that I really love this forum - The Changing Mirror - because it features stories written by a fair share of my favorite authors and all the new kids out there. Furthermore, this forum gives us the pleasure and artistic license to express ourselves without the political correctness that runs amok on other sites - Dimensions Online the worse offender.
Political correctness has no place in art because it creates barriers, and the people who ask for tolerance are the least tolerant of all.

This site reminds me of Fan 2000's forum where writers entertained each other as friends, swapped ideas and brainstormed.
It had a fun atmosphere.

Being genuinely honest I often think of my audience while churning out material, feedback or not, if only one person reads my work I'm posting it here.

In conclusion, I write the type of fiction that I enjoy, I'm delighted that other people enjoy my imagination as well.

Cheers, Matt

[jefferson]

Yeah, Sometimes writer wants to write for themselves, it will helps to know many things about themselves and people. It will also help to learn new techniques in the writing process.

[jabee2]

Interesting questions!

While creating is personal, good presentation benefits readers. So, some proofreading can be a courtesy.

Expectations can be tricky. If no expectations, asking for specific things might be contradictory.

Opinions vary. Some create for joy, others may misuse the statement. It's a complex online world.