Comments on: a conference on nature writing

By: Robin at Bumblebee

Robin at Bumblebee — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:18:22 +0000

Hummm. Making a living at writing? I suppose it all comes down to motivation. If money is the motivation, yes, there are certainly easier and more reliable ways to make money.

I suppose you could argue I make my money at writing, if you count report writing as writing. The garden and other writing I do is just for fun and self-fulfillment. I need to remind myself that I can write about something other than x percent of people said this and x percent of people do that. (Snore.)

As for satisfaction? That’s hard to measure, eh?

Robin at Bumblebee

i guess they probably meant “nature writing” – but even at that there are an awful lot of people who obviously make money doing it.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:58:28 +0000

Now, I’m a writer (nature, creative nonfiction / memoir, poetry), and sure, you don’t necessarily make a living off of it, but you sure can. Once you write a good book. I know people who make $1,000 minimum for a 45 minute reading, not including paid room and board (I know people who make much, much more). And then writers conferences are cash cows. Teaching, though very hard work, pays great. But all of these things take AWAY from writing, which for me IS my raison d’etre, hands down. It is perfect, though, when gardening / nature and writing work into one another, balanced, right. But boy I’m jealous you saw Robert Pyle–he’s very big! Lucky dog!

I think Robert Pyle said something to the effect that he could make a living at just writing if he made some compromises. I guess Joe Nick Patoski does.

I liked Robert Pyle. Actually I was glad to get to see all of these writers.

By: Mimi

Mimi — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:49:58 +0000

I was there too. I am a student at UNT and found you through Susan Wittig Albert’s blog. I didn’t write up a blog post about it though. I haven’t had time. I enjoyed myself very much and it sounded like you did too, a little anyway.

oh yes, it was well worth it.