Oh boy, yes, those adverts! There was a government website and me and my artist daughter filled them in for a laugh to see what jobs we thought suitable for. One of mine was truck driver. Overall they were ludicrous.
I’ve found in recent months that I was losing paid subscribers given money is becoming tighter all round…so I’ve set all my posts as free for the first seven days, with only paid subscribers being able to rummage in the archive. But given the archive contains a couple of years worth of writing (and a generous dollop of instructions for things to make using cloth and plant dyes) I think that’s reasonable. It means folks who are skint can at least read stories when they’re fresh…and saves me from seeing a stream of “unsubscribing cos broke” emails. About 10% of my readers do still support me though, for which I am very grateful.
Is it? I had no idea to be honest. The total number of subscribers is only about 3000, so I’m not really a high flyer…but I enjoy writing and it’s lovely to have an audience.
Every so often, I see people saying that artists shouldn't be paid because we enjoy doing our thing. Yes, I might enjoy writing, but do I enjoy spending hours and hours and hours going through structural edits? No. And why shouldn't I be rewarded for the time it takes to write the thing in the first place, for the ideas and the skill, and the joy and emotional journeys that the novel takes people on? This is why I'm paid. Anyone who thinks artitsts shouldn't be paid isn't an artist and doesn't value art, because they have no idea what goes into: 1. becoming an artist and 2. Living as one.
Lots of people enjoy their work and still get paid for it. It’s funny how people treat art as if it’s inessential when it is actually vital to the human spirit.
Oh Ros, it’s hard isn’t it, and I think many people here do understand, as many of us are in the same boat. Art is essential and taken for granted in our culture. It’s deeply frustrating but we can experiment. It’s hard to know whether to focus on free of paid. Your offering sounds good and maybe that’s the way - guiding readers via the posts to other ‘products’. The starving artist trope is nonsense, everyone needs to eat!
If only we could all be paid what we deserve! I’m writing for free on here too after being a professional writer for over 20 years. But I want the connection it’s creating with people and I love what I’m writing. But, yes, please, my well over 2000 free subscribers, pay me through a subscription or tip if you’re getting value from it! I’m homeless, don’t you know?! 💙
'...locked in a loop of regurgitated spew' - now that's a memorable quote if ever there was one. I'll bet you got enormous satisfaction from writing it, Ros! If I were not a paying subscriber already, this post would definitely have won me over :-)
Ros. This...was...right on the (lack of) money. Beautiful piece I am gonna share because, THIS is what we do when we can't afford another subscription! (maybe we could trade...gifted paid for gifted paid?!) Love your work.
I agree with Andre Malraux and Max Weber that art is the real history of nations, evidenced by the presence of artistic pursuit throughout recorded history. What art affords us, from generation to generation, is incalculable and, in my view, absolutely essential. So yes, artists should be paid enough to earn at least a modest living.
As theatrical artists during our first decade together, my wife and I earned sufficient income as actors, singers, dancers, production designers, and producers to cover our living expenses. After our first of two children arrived, we made the decision to pursue careers with benefits -- she as executive director of a nonprofit corporation advocating for people with disabilities, me as a writer, judge, marketing director, and educator in the wine business. We were able to still perform once every few years.
We're both retired now, but support theatre and the arts as best we can. Part of that support is being paid subscribers to Ros Barber's marvelous "How to Evolve." We urge you to join us!
It's more important than ever before to support the arts, especially in the current climate in the US, where the regime has launched an all-out assault on education in general, and the arts in particular. History will not be kind.
I do try to do my best to support artists, buying mostly new books and from indie shops where I can, for instance. I see how my daughter, an introverted art graduate, struggles to get herself out there (her Etsy shop is silverpersephoneart if you'll allow me to give her a plug). Although we desperately need good engineers etc - STEM isn't all bad - art in all forms is a balm for the mind, a spur for the imagination, something to escape into....
BTW - you can't not love Mary Poppins a film with a joke that cracks me up every time I see it.
'I know a man with a wooden leg called Smith.' 'What's the other one called?'
Hi Ros, I voted 3, because we are all of us artists. Creativity is our birthright and everyone should be producing art as much as we can. It's part of life. Those who dedicate themselves to it entirely should not feel any shame around being paid for their time and effort, of course, and if what we do resonates with people and they see something in it for them, they will put their hands in their pockets. But generally, it won't be because the artist says, 'hey, what I'm doing is good, I have skill and I'm putting hours and weeks and years of my life into this! You should pay me!' It will be because that piece of art has something to teach us or delights us in some way. Have you read Your Music and People, by Derek Sivers?
Hi Shoni, I appreciate this. And of course what you say at the end there is true … but people who feel those things about what an artist creates won’t necessarily pay when it’s given for free. I guess here is where I find out whether my work here really has any value!
And though I agree that creativity is our birthright, I don’t agree that we’re all artists. Someone very close to me in my family says “I don’t have an artistic bone in my body” and two of my four offspring don’t make any kind of art (and we are an artistic family). In the wider world there are plenty of people who don’t make any kind of art either. Then, I suppose we are down to how our art touches others. I have taught creative writing for close to 30 years. Most of what’s written is of primary interest only to the artist. And that’s okay.
But in my own writing (and the writing I value most) the writer aims for a deeper connection to the reader, creating shifts in feeling and thinking. This is the value of art I am discussing here, beyond the value of art as self-expression.
I guess I'm thinking of creativity in general. My husband would never call himself artistic, but I see the buzz he gets when he creates a menu design on Canva for his restaurant, or when he organises the furniture in the perfect 'feng shui' configuration. I call it a 'creativity high', which I actively chase in my own work. When it happens, I sometimes find I'm physically stronger for a time. Last night, for eg, I wrote a piece that pushed my limits of expression, and then when I was walking the dog afterwards, I found I could do more swings on the bars in the park than normal, even though I've been less regular with it than usual (the swinging, not the writing).
So yeah, bit of a tangent there, the value that others get from the work is another thing entirely. I tend to ask myself the question "what's in it for them?" It may be purely entertainment, but why is something entertaining? Either because it evokes strong feelings or because it improves the reader's life somehow (or a bit of both).
Why do I pay you? Maybe part is because I know you lost your job and I feel for you. But another part is certainly that I see that you write well and that you offer teaching of the craft and I want to learn from you how to better my own art. So you're both entertaining me with your writing, and promising to improve my life by teaching me how you do it.
I really don't know if one of those things is easier than the other, or more valuable in monetary terms. I certainly haven't cracked the code!
I just spent the best of 3 months solid bringing out 2 albums of music. A friend, who should know better, said "Julie hasn't got a job" wtf??? I'm also a stay at home mother and work around the kids, when my youngest (who has special needs and is not sleeping currently) is at the childminders. If someone wants to say I should not be paid they know where to go
Great piece, Ros. Since you asked, I love Dick Van Dyke. The Dick Van Dyke show is one of the best sitcoms of all time. And what’s not to love about Mary Poppins, guvnor? Anyone who disagrees can go fly a kite.
👏🏻
I’m reminded of those awful adverts during Covid about ballet dancers retraining to be nurses 🤯while we all craved art and creativity from our homes.
My son is a musician and mix engineer and I’ve always encouraged him because I did what I ‘ought’ initially and was very miserable.
Thanks for being here.
Thanks, Jacqui! I so appreciate your support.
Oh boy, yes, those adverts! There was a government website and me and my artist daughter filled them in for a laugh to see what jobs we thought suitable for. One of mine was truck driver. Overall they were ludicrous.
That ad made me feel physically sick!
I’ve found in recent months that I was losing paid subscribers given money is becoming tighter all round…so I’ve set all my posts as free for the first seven days, with only paid subscribers being able to rummage in the archive. But given the archive contains a couple of years worth of writing (and a generous dollop of instructions for things to make using cloth and plant dyes) I think that’s reasonable. It means folks who are skint can at least read stories when they’re fresh…and saves me from seeing a stream of “unsubscribing cos broke” emails. About 10% of my readers do still support me though, for which I am very grateful.
That’s such a high ratio India, well done!
Is it? I had no idea to be honest. The total number of subscribers is only about 3000, so I’m not really a high flyer…but I enjoy writing and it’s lovely to have an audience.
Every so often, I see people saying that artists shouldn't be paid because we enjoy doing our thing. Yes, I might enjoy writing, but do I enjoy spending hours and hours and hours going through structural edits? No. And why shouldn't I be rewarded for the time it takes to write the thing in the first place, for the ideas and the skill, and the joy and emotional journeys that the novel takes people on? This is why I'm paid. Anyone who thinks artitsts shouldn't be paid isn't an artist and doesn't value art, because they have no idea what goes into: 1. becoming an artist and 2. Living as one.
Lots of people enjoy their work and still get paid for it. It’s funny how people treat art as if it’s inessential when it is actually vital to the human spirit.
Exactly.
Oh Ros, it’s hard isn’t it, and I think many people here do understand, as many of us are in the same boat. Art is essential and taken for granted in our culture. It’s deeply frustrating but we can experiment. It’s hard to know whether to focus on free of paid. Your offering sounds good and maybe that’s the way - guiding readers via the posts to other ‘products’. The starving artist trope is nonsense, everyone needs to eat!
If only we could all be paid what we deserve! I’m writing for free on here too after being a professional writer for over 20 years. But I want the connection it’s creating with people and I love what I’m writing. But, yes, please, my well over 2000 free subscribers, pay me through a subscription or tip if you’re getting value from it! I’m homeless, don’t you know?! 💙
'...locked in a loop of regurgitated spew' - now that's a memorable quote if ever there was one. I'll bet you got enormous satisfaction from writing it, Ros! If I were not a paying subscriber already, this post would definitely have won me over :-)
I love your style - I'm signed up to get more. And I restacked your wonderful paragraph in praise of art making us human. Couldn't agree more.
And yes I do think this is a most creative and fabulous begging bowl - well done you. Looking forward to what comes next!
My job is done, then (until next week 😘)
Do not want to be punched and yes, liked this post! PAY THE ARTISTS 🧚♀️ 💶
Ros. This...was...right on the (lack of) money. Beautiful piece I am gonna share because, THIS is what we do when we can't afford another subscription! (maybe we could trade...gifted paid for gifted paid?!) Love your work.
Thank you for sharing, Lisa, exactly, this all we poor bloody writers can afford as payment sometimes!
I agree with Andre Malraux and Max Weber that art is the real history of nations, evidenced by the presence of artistic pursuit throughout recorded history. What art affords us, from generation to generation, is incalculable and, in my view, absolutely essential. So yes, artists should be paid enough to earn at least a modest living.
As theatrical artists during our first decade together, my wife and I earned sufficient income as actors, singers, dancers, production designers, and producers to cover our living expenses. After our first of two children arrived, we made the decision to pursue careers with benefits -- she as executive director of a nonprofit corporation advocating for people with disabilities, me as a writer, judge, marketing director, and educator in the wine business. We were able to still perform once every few years.
We're both retired now, but support theatre and the arts as best we can. Part of that support is being paid subscribers to Ros Barber's marvelous "How to Evolve." We urge you to join us!
I so appreciate your support, John, as you know. 💜 And your support of the arts more generally, too.
It's more important than ever before to support the arts, especially in the current climate in the US, where the regime has launched an all-out assault on education in general, and the arts in particular. History will not be kind.
I do try to do my best to support artists, buying mostly new books and from indie shops where I can, for instance. I see how my daughter, an introverted art graduate, struggles to get herself out there (her Etsy shop is silverpersephoneart if you'll allow me to give her a plug). Although we desperately need good engineers etc - STEM isn't all bad - art in all forms is a balm for the mind, a spur for the imagination, something to escape into....
BTW - you can't not love Mary Poppins a film with a joke that cracks me up every time I see it.
'I know a man with a wooden leg called Smith.' 'What's the other one called?'
Hi Ros, I voted 3, because we are all of us artists. Creativity is our birthright and everyone should be producing art as much as we can. It's part of life. Those who dedicate themselves to it entirely should not feel any shame around being paid for their time and effort, of course, and if what we do resonates with people and they see something in it for them, they will put their hands in their pockets. But generally, it won't be because the artist says, 'hey, what I'm doing is good, I have skill and I'm putting hours and weeks and years of my life into this! You should pay me!' It will be because that piece of art has something to teach us or delights us in some way. Have you read Your Music and People, by Derek Sivers?
Hi Shoni, I appreciate this. And of course what you say at the end there is true … but people who feel those things about what an artist creates won’t necessarily pay when it’s given for free. I guess here is where I find out whether my work here really has any value!
And though I agree that creativity is our birthright, I don’t agree that we’re all artists. Someone very close to me in my family says “I don’t have an artistic bone in my body” and two of my four offspring don’t make any kind of art (and we are an artistic family). In the wider world there are plenty of people who don’t make any kind of art either. Then, I suppose we are down to how our art touches others. I have taught creative writing for close to 30 years. Most of what’s written is of primary interest only to the artist. And that’s okay.
But in my own writing (and the writing I value most) the writer aims for a deeper connection to the reader, creating shifts in feeling and thinking. This is the value of art I am discussing here, beyond the value of art as self-expression.
I guess I'm thinking of creativity in general. My husband would never call himself artistic, but I see the buzz he gets when he creates a menu design on Canva for his restaurant, or when he organises the furniture in the perfect 'feng shui' configuration. I call it a 'creativity high', which I actively chase in my own work. When it happens, I sometimes find I'm physically stronger for a time. Last night, for eg, I wrote a piece that pushed my limits of expression, and then when I was walking the dog afterwards, I found I could do more swings on the bars in the park than normal, even though I've been less regular with it than usual (the swinging, not the writing).
So yeah, bit of a tangent there, the value that others get from the work is another thing entirely. I tend to ask myself the question "what's in it for them?" It may be purely entertainment, but why is something entertaining? Either because it evokes strong feelings or because it improves the reader's life somehow (or a bit of both).
Why do I pay you? Maybe part is because I know you lost your job and I feel for you. But another part is certainly that I see that you write well and that you offer teaching of the craft and I want to learn from you how to better my own art. So you're both entertaining me with your writing, and promising to improve my life by teaching me how you do it.
I really don't know if one of those things is easier than the other, or more valuable in monetary terms. I certainly haven't cracked the code!
I just spent the best of 3 months solid bringing out 2 albums of music. A friend, who should know better, said "Julie hasn't got a job" wtf??? I'm also a stay at home mother and work around the kids, when my youngest (who has special needs and is not sleeping currently) is at the childminders. If someone wants to say I should not be paid they know where to go
Great piece, Ros. Since you asked, I love Dick Van Dyke. The Dick Van Dyke show is one of the best sitcoms of all time. And what’s not to love about Mary Poppins, guvnor? Anyone who disagrees can go fly a kite.
*Upgrades to paid* xx
💜💜💜💜
Loved the voiceover and the piece. 🫶🏻🤩
Thank you! I had fun doing both 😁