We all live in the real
world. We have jobs to do, bills to pay and promises to keep.
Sometimes we get ill, lonely or depressed. We have no control over
the circumstances into which we are born. Some are stinking rich,
some dirt poor, but most of us are somewhere in between.
Given these inescapable
facts of life it is fortunate that we have ways of distracting our
minds from the drudgery of modern living. As writers we have an
invaluable talent to offer a wormhole into another world. Our readers
can escape to another time, another place. It doesn't matter if we
make them laugh or cry. We can give them a fright, arouse their
emotions or just give them something to think about. At the back of
their minds they know that they can close the book, put down the
magazine or switch off the Kindle.
When you've had a series
of rejections or feel you've had a bad review remember that readers
are spending their hard-earned money in exchange for a few minutes of
escapism. After reading your work they will return to the daily grind
having had a moment of respite. They may even tell someone else about
the experience. Think of that when you feel undervalued.
We sell entertainment.
Write something today.
Excellent point, Keith. Providing a few moments of entertainment when a person most needs it is a valuable service, I feel.
ReplyDeleteAnd for those of us in need of escapist entertainment, books and magazines offer great value from money, or can be read for free if we're able to get to a library.
Thanks, Patsy. Just thought I'd try giving out a few words of inspiration.
DeleteWell said. Reading has always been my escape route of choice, so it's an honor to create something that can help others escape, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan.
DeleteLovely words, Keith and so true.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. I've read your stories over the years and I know you can do the laughing/crying stuff.
DeleteThanks for the inspiration, Keith. I will now get off social media, stop procrastinating and write something!
ReplyDeleteProcrastination is the bugbear of all of us writers, Angela. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGood reminder Keith.
ReplyDeleteWe can entertain with our words as the writer, and be entertained as a reader too.
Thanks, Carol. I've been trying to catch up on my reading just lately.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Keith.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy.
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