We’re doing it for the money

Sometimes in the course of looking at book projects, you may end up considering a project that you think is lowering your standards. And what the heck? Maybe it is. Ask yourself how much money and opportunity this book is and if this is something that could actually damage your reputation. If it’s simply a matter of you don’t care much for the subject or the publisher’s style but the money’s good, then you should go with it. Here’s why.

As you’re whacking out books, one after another, bear in mind that what we’re doing isn’t really Great Art. Oh, very occasionally, you’ll get a nonfiction book that is going to last on the shelf for some years and if you’re very, very lucky, you’ll have one that lasts for your career. But what we’re writing won’t last for decades as a rule. Shucks, most of us are lucky if our writing lasts on the shelves a year. Do your job, enjoy your job, be professional about the stuff you’re turning out, but don’t ever kid yourself that this is usually a Work for the Ages. If you keep this in mind, you’ll probably be able to be more flexible. (There are pleasant exceptions to this observation, but they’re few and very far between.)

A couple hundred years ago, Dr. Johnson said “No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money.” Some things just don’t change: we are doing this for the money. It should be fun whenever possible, but if it pays the bills, that’s the best part of all.

One Response to “We’re doing it for the money”

  1. To my knowledge, the prarimy reasons for DMK’s defeat in spite of good governance are,1. Power Cut2. Inclusion of PMK and VC might triggered other community voters like (BCs) Mudaliyars, Udayars, Yadavas, Chettiyar etc to vote against DMK.3. Not giving tickets to new faces, this has resulted in intra party revelries and the people thought why the same people only contesting for ages. Relatives of MLAs occupied Local Body posts and people and party men thought only few relative family benefited. 4. No Control on district and local level party functionaries. This has triggered anger over party candidates. Example Veerapandi Arumugam, MKK Raja etc..5. More Seats given to alliance parties beyond their capacity.6. Back stabbing on Eelam Tamil’s issue and became as slave/puppet of congress. 7. Wide projection by Medias as Monopolization in film industry by MK’s family.8. Not done counter campaign to defend DMK’s stand on 2G and Price raise etc. DMK only concentrated on saying the achievements. TN people, is always interested in counter attacks and highlighting one’s negatives. This is not done properly

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