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The Radical Individualist's avatar

It's a conundrum. People tend to pay to have their beliefs reinforced, rather than to have them challenged. You can make good money preaching to the choir. Not so much with being an observer of essential truths.

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J. Daniel Sawyer's avatar

True.

Annoyingly so.

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Brandy's avatar

I really enjoyed this. What you are explaining is exactly why I fought so hard to get my son into a live-in liberal arts high school for creative writing only for him to stop writing at age 20. He can't (won't) write for an audience. I think he still writes for himself, but that's it. He doesn't even let me read. He felt boxed in and then suffocated, and as I'm sure you are aware, writers tend to have some mental struggles. Anxiety happens to be his. I can't imagine how hard it must be, but it is really a testament to your creativity that you are very good at your work. I don't mind disagreeing and still reading so you don't ever have to worry about me on that front.

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J. Daniel Sawyer's avatar

Always a pleasure to see you here in the comments, Brandy :-)

If your son needs encouragement in an audience direction, and is a fiction writer, my book Becoming an Every Day Novelist might be helpful for him.

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Brandy's avatar

Oh wow. Yes. Will be getting that today. Thank you. I'll slip it in with some protein drinks or something. Thank you!

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J. Daniel Sawyer's avatar

Hope he enjoys! :-)

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