avatarVeronika Kaufmann

Summary

The author expresses frustration with the trend of writers discussing their earnings on Medium, considering it a crass and unproductive distraction from the true value of writing, which is the quality of the work itself.

Abstract

The article titled "I Don’t Care" reflects the author's disdain for the prevalent discussion of income among writers on Medium. The author argues that while financial necessity is understandable, as exemplified by Mario Puzo's motivation for writing "The Godfather," the constant sharing of earnings is both distasteful and a waste of time. The author believes that this focus on monetary gain detracts from what truly matters in writing—the creation of meaningful work. The article suggests that writers should concentrate on honing their craft and producing quality content rather than engaging in comparisons of earnings, which can be demoralizing and unhelpful. To encourage productive writing, the author points readers to a resource for writing prompts, emphasizing that the act of writing is the most crucial aspect of a writer's development.

Opinions

  • The author finds the public discussion of earnings by writers to be crass and unnecessary.
  • It is considered a waste of time to both read and write about how much money other writers make.
  • The author acknowledges the necessity of discussing salaries in the context of negotiating compensation but sees this as distinct from the public display of personal income on platforms like Medium.
  • The author views the trend of sharing earnings as potentially condescending, especially when coming from high-earning writers.
  • It is believed that the quality of a writer's work, not their income, is what distinguishes a good writer from a mediocre one.
  • The author suggests that writers should focus on their craft and engage in writing exercises, such as responding to prompts, instead of fixating on financial success.
  • The article implies that comparing one's earnings to others' is unproductive and can lead to negative comparisons, which are best avoided.

Annoying

I Don’t Care

How much you earn

I ask you honestly, has any author worth their weight in words, ever spoken about how much they earn? Once, I read what Mario Puzo said about one of the reasons for writing The Godfather. He said he was broke and had to write something that would sell. Other than that, no, never.

Here on Medium, you get it all the friggin time. I know. I don’t have to read these posts and I don’t. But they somehow still end up in my feed. I’m telling you again Medium: I don’t care and I don’t want to know because you know what? It’s a waste of time. A waste of time reading and even more so, a waste of time writing about it. Why would I do that? Write about what I earn? Oh, I know some ‘writers’ make good money writing about their earnings. I know. I find it well, crass. And I’m not being a snob.

‘I needed money.’

Or maybe I am being a snob. If you think so, that’s fine with me. For me, talking about money is crass. Now, amongst friends, sure, why not? One goes there occasionally.

How much do you earn?

That’s fine I guess. I’m curious too and when negotiating one’s worth in form of compensation, a salary, it’s good to know what similarly qualified people are making. I get that.

But I still am dismayed that so many writers go there, talking incessantly about their earnings. I understand some see themselves as good samaritans with their writerly PSA, helping their fellow writers but that concern seems misdirected, almost condescending, especially coming from the ones making a lot of money. It’s not hard to figure out if a writer is earning a lot. I don’t need it broadcast in newsletter alerts.

At the end of the day, what separates a good writer from a mediocre one is the work. That work may not be immediately recognized (we have countless examples of famous artists who’ve died starving) and I get that some of us have to earn money writing now as in not dead yet and I gotta pay rent. I understand. But I’ll just repeat myself: at the end of the day, it’s the quality of your work. Your work won’t get better by reading nonsense. And the ‘here’s what I earn’ is, in my opinion, nonsense.

Spend the time doing a prompt. Or writing a chapter of something. Anything. Seriously. Comparing earnings never ends well for the one earning less. So best not to know. Just work. Ass stapled to the chair and friggin write.

Below is a prompt from the Creators Hub. Many more prompts can be found if you search for writing prompts. It’s a good way to flex those writing muscles if you got nothing in you at the moment. Good writers write. That’s all you need to know and do.

Earnings
I Dont Care
Writing Prompts
Illumination
Writers On Medium
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