Valuing our work

[David Campbell]

This follows on from the ‘Publish and be damned!’ thread, with the central message that we should not be afraid to put a monetary value on our work. There is often a reluctance to do so, perhaps based on a belief that our writing has intrinsic value and that linking it with money somehow cheapens our efforts. But why should poetry be any different to other fields of endeavour?

If a skilled carpenter produces a high-quality piece of furniture he or she might keep it in the workshop for personal satisfaction, but it is far more likely that it would either be put on display for appreciation by family and friends or sold. Anyone looking at it wouldn’t hesitate to ascribe a monetary value beyond its inherent beauty and utility. That would simply be the norm.

But our writing seems to be treated differently. There can be an expectation that the pleasure of creating a poem is enough, and that if asked to share our work and/or expertise, we’ll do it for nothing. If money is raised there’s a surprised reaction, almost as if to say: “Oh, but you’re just a writer! We thought we were doing you a favour, not the other way around.”

I’m quite happy to donate time and energy in some circumstances, but I’d like to feel that it’s my choice to do so, that it’s clearly understood that this is not a situation that can simply be assumed because writing is involved. Perhaps this attitude is based on some notion (and this is directly related to the publication thread) that we can sit down and knock out a poem in an hour or so whenever necessary. In other words, it’s not ‘work’ as such, but somewhat akin to going for a stroll in the park. So we’re jolly lucky if someone else shows sufficient interest to want to hear about it…right?

That might seem extreme, but it happens, and I know others have encountered that attitude as well, particularly in the performance field (which, for some, is their livelihood). We need to be careful to ensure that a balance is struck between the desire to showcase our work in some format (to see it published, for example) and the possibility that the whole craft will be devalued if we make it too freely available at every opportunity.

In the other thread, Heather objected to those competitions that used her poems for their gain, for example by publishing anthologies and then expecting contributing poets to purchase a copy. Fair comment. That’s simply profiting from her work. Unfortunately, the market is usually so small that royalties are impossible, but at the very least such competitions should always supply a complimentary copy to contributors, with extra copies available for purchase.

On a personal note, I have only given permission for some of my winning poems to be published on this site, following Brenda’s hard work in doing all the collecting. Why? Because I want to bring out another book and there’d be little point if all the poems were already ‘out there’. It’s a case of walking the admittedly difficult line between making a contribution and maintaining a degree of self-interest. And we face that challenge whether we’re contemplating publication or debating whether to charge a fee for presenting at a workshop or performing at a festival.

Each of us will, of course, make our own decisions. Whatever they are, we need to keep the overall picture in mind and not hesitate to defend and promote the value of our writing, both in terms of the poems themselves, and as artists who have every right to earn an income (no matter how small) from what we do.

Cheers
David

[Rimeriter]

"Hear". "Hear".

[Neville Briggs]

.
Perhaps this attitude is based on some notion ...that we can sit down and knock out a poem in an hour or so whenever necessary. In other words, it’s not ‘work’ as such,

This could well be David. And this is why I whinge about seemingly pedantic things on this site.
How are we to convince people of the value; instrinsic or monetry or whatever, of our
' craft work ' , if we don't make it a matter of honour to always do our best to present the most carefully constructed pieces, even down to the minutiae of correcting typos and spelling.

I heard an interesting anecdote about the American writer Mark twain, who was asked by a journal to do a piece of writing of two pages in two days.
He replied.

No can do 2 pages 2 days.
Can do 30 pages 2 days,
Need 30 days do 2 pages.

Do they understand that ? Importantly, DO WE UNDERSTAND THAT ???

[David Campbell]

As a paid-up member of the Pedants' Club I'm with you all the way, Neville.

David

[Terry]

G/day David,
I certainly have no objection for poets earning some financial reward for their work.

I suppose it depends on your degree of involvement; to me it's just a hobby and an enjoyable one at that and I'm probably too lazy to do the hard yards needed to successfully make anything out of it. I have recently had a book published, but more for friends and relatives than with any hope of making a profit, but good luck to those who do make a financial success of it.

Regards

Terry