Summary

The author reflects on being rejected as a writer by a publication for being perceived as a content creator focused on growth and monetization rather than an artist writing from the heart, leading to a contemplation on the distinction between content creators and artists.

Abstract

The author shares a personal experience of being accepted into a publication but then rejected as a writer due to their identity as a content creator with commercial interests. This rejection prompts the author to question the divide between content creators, who are often seen as prioritizing audience growth and monetary gain, and artists, who are perceived as creating work through conscious skill and creative imagination. Despite the author's initial confusion over the labels, they conclude that the distinction is unnecessary and that writers can embody both roles without compromising their integrity or creativity. The author argues that the pursuit of growth and income does not diminish the artistry of writing, citing historical examples of renowned artists who were also compensated for their work.

Opinions

The author acknowledges the pain of personal rejection as a writer despite their work being accepted.
There is a perceived judgment towards writers who are seen as "selling out" by focusing on follower count and earnings.
The author believes that the definitions of content creator and artist are not mutually exclusive and can coexist in a writer.
The author values the opportunity to explore different writing styles and topics through various publications.
Some publications encourage writing that may not be authentic to the author but is designed to cater to a wider audience.
The author feels that writing from the heart may not always yield high viewership but is more fulfilling and natural.
The author is experimenting with finding a balance between writing for themselves and writing for an audience.
The author does not fully identify with either the content creator or artist label, seeing themselves simply as a writer.
The author challenges the notion that being paid for one's work diminishes its artistic value, using historical artists like Michelangelo and Chopin as examples.
The author suggests that the distinction between content creator and artist is artificial and unnecessary, advocating for the acceptance of writers as multifaceted individuals.

The Great Divide: Content Creator Vs. Artist

Can’t we all just be writers?

Today, I got kicked out of a publication.

No, my article wasn’t rejected by the publication. In fact, the two articles I submitted were actually accepted.

I personally as a writer was later rejected.

I can take my stories being rejected. I have surprisingly high resilience to rejection about my work. But it’s a bit more personal when I’m rejected as a writer.

I get it, I truly do — your publication, your rules. If I don’t like it, I can start my own publication with my own rules. And I haven’t done that so I respect the boundaries set forth by each publication.

But that doesn’t stop this rejection of me as a writer from feeling like a kick in the gut.

The basis for my rejection?

That I’m a content creator. That I’m not writing from the heart. That I’m interested in growing my followers and earning money from my writing.

I had published an article joining a 30-day challenge. In this challenge, the goal is to write 30 articles in 30 days and submit them to 30 publications.

I saw this as a great opportunity to improve upon my writing.

A 30-day commitment is long enough to make you uncomfortable, especially for someone like me who has trouble sticking to things. But it’s also short enough to be achievable.

Submitting to 30 publications really forces you to write about different topics and explore different styles of writing. A bit reminiscent of an English teacher handing you a writing assignment, only this isn’t a “What’s the passing grade?” exercise. It’s more of a “How can I grow to be the best possible writer I can be?” experience.

This challenge also brings the added benefit of meeting other writers that are partaking in this challenge, other writers that you cross paths with just because you’re writing more, and different editors that offer you a variety of feedback and suggestions.

Or at least that’s how I saw it.

Soon after this article was published, I received an email from one of the editors I’d been working with. In the email, he outlined that I’m here for the money and my main motivation is to grow my audience and my stats in a content creator approach — all things that he is not interested in for his publication. And he concluded by politely asking that I continue my writing adventure away from his publication.

His conclusion is not unfounded. Part of this writing challenge includes stating your goals for growth in followers and money. I set my goals fairly conservatively at a moderate increase to 200 followers and $15. I’d also disclosed and joked about how I was paid a penny for my thoughts in March.

For the record, I hold no hard feelings against this editor or this publication and will continue supporting their work from the sidelines. Like I said, someone else’s publication, someone else’s vision, someone else’s rules. I respect that.

But while I’m licking my wounds and doing a bit of soul searching, it got me wondering. What’s up with this divide between content creators and artists?

I had to Google what a content creator is. I’m 2.5 weeks into my new identity as a writer, so just embracing the thought that “I’m a writer!” has been a big enough leap for me.

Here are the definitions that I found:

A content creator is “someone who is responsible for the contribution of information to any media and most especially to digital media” according to States of Digital Publishing.
An artist is “a person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination” according to Merriam-Webster.

Honestly, when I read these two definitions, they don’t seem mutually exclusive to me. If someone is writing with “conscious skill” on a “media platform”, are they not both an artist and a content creator?

But clearly, I’ve missed a nuance in the definition of these two identifies.

I get this sense that those that identify as artists scorn content creators. Like there’s judgment for “selling out” in the art of writing in pursuit of followers and money. While on the other hand, content creators don’t help their case by continuing to market their quantifiable achievements like followers and monthly earnings.

So am I a content creator or am I an artist?

Honestly, I’m experimenting. I like to explore with different styles, different publications, and completely different content to see what resonates — both with me as a writer and the reader as the audience.

I’d probably only write about my dog and my love for Costco if I didn’t discover different publications that made me explore myself a bit further.

Sure, some of these are a bit soulless and there’s a hyper-focus on “catchy headlines”, generally in the format of “x tips to ...” or “how I accomplished …” They appear to cater to the audience but they’re a bit flat, at least for me, and they’re not the easiest for me to write.

Other articles I write from my heart, about whatever resonates with me at the time of writing. They don’t appear to get as many views or reads, but they generally flow quickly and effortlessly as I write. However, it is a bit dejecting when no one’s interested in reading them.

I like to experiment with both types of writing, hoping that there’s a middle ground. I’m hoping to discover that middle portion of a Venn diagram between writing that is authentically me and writing that people want to read.

I dodged my own question about content creator vs artist, didn’t I?

I don’t think I’m a content creator because right now, my writing is like a loose hose, flailing around wildly.

I can’t really aim my writing in any particular direction no matter how much I try. If I try to write based on trends or popular topics, I end up staring at a blank page, realizing I have nothing to say about it. I can only write about things that truly resonate with me.

But I also don’t feel like I’m an artist because I’m rather lacking in the “creative imagination” department.

If I was a creative person, you’d find me writing in fiction instead of non-fiction. I’d be busy trying to spin up fantasy worlds in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of Rowling, Tolkien, Goodkind, and Martin. But I can’t and I have come to recognize these limitations.

So what am I then?

Well, why do I have to pick? Is it not enough for me to come to terms with being a writer?

I write, therefore I am a writer. I’m not one-dimensional. My writing shouldn’t have to be either.

A better question perhaps would be, why is there a defining line between content creator and artist?

When I think of the great artists of the painting world, would anyone question the artistry of Michelangelo? Does the fact that the Vatican commissioned Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapels make him less of an artist? Would anyone dare to call Michelango a mere “content creator” because he was paid $78,000 to do the Sistine Chapels?

My all-time favorite composer is Chopin and I don’t think many would challenge his status as a legendary classical pianist from the Romantic era. And yet, he exchanged 24 preludes for approximately $18,000 so that he could pay his rent.

Is there any content creator out there who wouldn’t prefer to write about whatever inspires their heart? Is there any artist out there that wouldn’t mind their art bringing in an extra source of income?

So again, I’ll ask. Is it really necessary to draw a clear line in the sand between content creator and artist? Can’t we all just be writers?