Interesting discussion on the Visual Arts Junction blog

Check out the discussion, Is Writing Replacing Reading?, on the Visual Arts blog. The points made are very interesting. Please join in and give your take on what's happening in the world of publishing today:

http://www.visualartsjunction.com/?p=2933#idc-container

That is interesting Shelagh.
For me, my reading habits have not changed since I started writing.
There are always moments in my day when I need to read.

Shelagh,

It's an interesting discussion and you did a great job getting it started.

As always, I feel like the "odd man out" in these kinds of discussions because companies like Lulu, PublishAmerica and iUniverse have made it relatively easy for everyone to write a book. It's viewed as so democratic and wonderful that nothing's stopping anyone from being a published writer.

Why, I wonder, is writing so quickly grabbed up as a field that requires no training, natural talent, or years of practice? Saying anyone can write a viable book is just as absurd as saying anyone can play a trumpet like Louis Armstrong or anyone can sing like a diva or anyone can be a brain surgeon if they just decided to do it.

When I was younger, I started listening to the recordings of famous organists who specialized in Bach's toccatas and fugues. I always thought it would be cool to walk up to a monster-sized pipe organ, sit down with no effort, and play the fantastic Toccata and Fugue in D minor. It would be a thrill, not to mention the fact it would surprise and impress those standing around who didn't know I could do it.

Writing draws dreams like that, dreams of those who really want to have written more than they want to write. They want to sit there with their own bestselling novel as much as I dreamt of hearing a theatre full of applause for playing classical organ music with absolutely no training and practice.

Malcolm

I agree, Malcolm. It is astonishing. The catch twenty-two is that without thousands of ordinary people pursuing the same dream, POD publishing would not be so accessible and readily available for the few who are talented. Those who have the ability but, for one reason or another, cannot find a publisher, need venues for their work -- and that means thousands of writers have to be encouraged to do the same, otherwise there would be no Lulu, PublishAmerica or iUniverse!

Yes, we not only have that catch-22, but the one of juggling our dreams and our realities.

Malcolm