Loved and appreciated the honesty of this piece and all the quirkiness that abounds throughout. (Coleridge and that GoFundMe analogy was esp hilarious ...) I think Poe would be thrilled that you are interpreting his life this way. Also? Too many literary types are labelled "insane" when it may just have been a completely understandable response to the extremely tragic cards they were dealt in life. Regardless - thank you!
SUE! Agreed, it's tragic that so many people who break under the weight of their awful circumstances then get labeled nuts. Anyway, glad to see you here - and thanks for the kind words. #internetfriends
Even when you’re cataloguing the (many!) difficulties of creating art, and telling the hard truths, it still comes across as empathetic and encouraging. This was a joy to read.
A good thing about writing is that it hangs around, so here I am, reading and appreciating your post 13 months after it was written. As an art, writing's more like sculpture than dance. Another good thing is that going up against difficult odds inspires others, which is a way to help out. Yet another good thing is that writing is too much fun to give up anyway (at least for those of us with this particularly weird idea of fun). If Seneca is right about finding one thing each day that makes you smarter, wiser, better, writing is a good way to do it. Write on, I say, write on!
Almost a year late to this one, but it is so, so brilliant.
I openly admit the only reason I have the opportunity to write at this point in my life is because I was lucky in Corporate America and, more importantly, married super well. As a full-time stay-at-home-dad and wannabe novelist I'd have no path forward without my wife's financial support (not sure she's happy about this).
The irony is: I could make a lot more money in the corporate world, but then I'd have no chance to write and do the things I really enjoy. Such is the game.
Also, I too loathe the terms "late-stage capitalism" and all its derivatives.
this is so fascinating!! thank you for doing all of the math for us and also just being an incredibly talented and hilarious writer! glad you shared this on study hall :)
You're right, B D. It's a fortunate position to be in to have the 'day' money and an outlet for publishing, too. Maybe it's not what you (we?) always dreamed of, but likewise, it's also not the darkest, worst-case scenario. Would love to hear what you think of the book--and/or your reread of Poe--as and when! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
A nice response. I appreciate it & your words. I will go over your book. I need all the help I can garner. I have a 2,700 word Poe-themed short story set in modern Baltimore. I hope you'd enjoy it. May I send it to you?
Yes, I think it is common for artists and writers to make almost nothing on their work until *after* they are dead *and can no longer enjoy it.) Or even become known.
Great article and experience. The money Poe's novel made is not significant. What is significant is the psychic writing about Richard Parker. You may want to read my prequel on this website. I also wrote the sequel to my favorite poem. I started writing that on February 2, 2006. It took me 3 days and I did not know the significance of February 2nd in Poe family history at the time.
Loved and appreciated the honesty of this piece and all the quirkiness that abounds throughout. (Coleridge and that GoFundMe analogy was esp hilarious ...) I think Poe would be thrilled that you are interpreting his life this way. Also? Too many literary types are labelled "insane" when it may just have been a completely understandable response to the extremely tragic cards they were dealt in life. Regardless - thank you!
SUE! Agreed, it's tragic that so many people who break under the weight of their awful circumstances then get labeled nuts. Anyway, glad to see you here - and thanks for the kind words. #internetfriends
Even when you’re cataloguing the (many!) difficulties of creating art, and telling the hard truths, it still comes across as empathetic and encouraging. This was a joy to read.
Terrell, that is such a nice thing to say - thank you thank you! Glad you enjoyed reading.
Cat, you give me inspiration to write, but keep my day job, :(
Glad you're inspired at least on the one front - I so wish I could report something both true AND different, though of course YMMV.
Done. This is so much exactly what I've been thinking.
Glad to hear it, Marj. Thanks for reading.
A good thing about writing is that it hangs around, so here I am, reading and appreciating your post 13 months after it was written. As an art, writing's more like sculpture than dance. Another good thing is that going up against difficult odds inspires others, which is a way to help out. Yet another good thing is that writing is too much fun to give up anyway (at least for those of us with this particularly weird idea of fun). If Seneca is right about finding one thing each day that makes you smarter, wiser, better, writing is a good way to do it. Write on, I say, write on!
Almost a year late to this one, but it is so, so brilliant.
I openly admit the only reason I have the opportunity to write at this point in my life is because I was lucky in Corporate America and, more importantly, married super well. As a full-time stay-at-home-dad and wannabe novelist I'd have no path forward without my wife's financial support (not sure she's happy about this).
The irony is: I could make a lot more money in the corporate world, but then I'd have no chance to write and do the things I really enjoy. Such is the game.
Also, I too loathe the terms "late-stage capitalism" and all its derivatives.
Hello, excuse me, you forgot the $125 you paid me to line-edit your proposal!! My contribution!! Very proud!!
Oooh, good point, Jacqui! Thanks again!!
this is so fascinating!! thank you for doing all of the math for us and also just being an incredibly talented and hilarious writer! glad you shared this on study hall :)
Interesting! And all this time I've been reading proposals and helping writers when I could have been charging them. More fool is me.
I can say firsthand that your help is definitely good enough to charge for, though I'm sure you're aware. :)
Six & a third novels in and you've corroborated all I've learned in a dozen years. Thnx.
Fortunately, I've got 'day' money to supplement the MEAGER $$ from articles/essays/short stories published now and again.
Poe's "Nevermore" may not apply - I'll need to read your take on him and annotate his collected works on my shelf.
With appreciation,
Mac
You're right, B D. It's a fortunate position to be in to have the 'day' money and an outlet for publishing, too. Maybe it's not what you (we?) always dreamed of, but likewise, it's also not the darkest, worst-case scenario. Would love to hear what you think of the book--and/or your reread of Poe--as and when! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
A nice response. I appreciate it & your words. I will go over your book. I need all the help I can garner. I have a 2,700 word Poe-themed short story set in modern Baltimore. I hope you'd enjoy it. May I send it to you?
B D "Mac" MacCullough
Please do! catbaabmuguira@gmail.com
Yes, I think it is common for artists and writers to make almost nothing on their work until *after* they are dead *and can no longer enjoy it.) Or even become known.
It's maddening. Also strange.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece!
Glad to hear it. Thanks for reading!
Valuable article :)
Thanks for the kind words 😀
Great article and experience. The money Poe's novel made is not significant. What is significant is the psychic writing about Richard Parker. You may want to read my prequel on this website. I also wrote the sequel to my favorite poem. I started writing that on February 2, 2006. It took me 3 days and I did not know the significance of February 2nd in Poe family history at the time.