I'm not talking about criticism, constructive or otherwise. THAT should Always be listened to. No one is perfect so refusing to listen to what other sets of eyes see is simply foolish. Maybe you'll disagree, but you HAVE to listen.
No, what I'm talking about here is Subject. Should a writer turn the path their characters follow to feed what the reader market wants to hear? Or should he rigidly adhere to the story in his head?
Some might think pushing a story along more marketable trails is "selling out". They only want to write what they want to write. Honestly, that's fine, you have to do what you have to do. But I wonder, how fulfilling is that going to be if a person is only writing for themselves? Writing a diary is just fine and fulfilling in its own way...
... but... if you fancy yourself a writer... If no one wants to read what you've put down because you've chosen a subject that draws no interest, that seems like an ego bruiser to me.
This is one place where Artistry and Business collide. You have to work on the vision that touches your imagination and create the message you want to promote... yet... if you fail to find an audience, it's all for naught.
I expect somewhere in there is a balance point... I think... I wonder... and I just keep on writing.
- BK Gore
