I am quoting from James Altucher’s grim, realistic, and transcendent article in TechCrunch, which every reader of this blog should go read, instead. Right now. Seriously, my blog can wait a few minutes.
If you’ve come back to my site, well, thank you.
Why do I think Altucher’s article is so important for writers and artists in particular? Because it says in other words what Neil Gaiman said in a very nice speech last year. Paraphrased, both men ask us to work toward our goals, not away from them. We must take control of our lives, our finances, and our dreams – because nobody else will. We cannot hitch all our dreams to one plan. We must diversify as much as we safely can, and be ready to adapt at a moment’s notice. If the middle class is getting squeezed out by robots and temp workers, it’s up to every individual to find their own ‘value added’ skill or idea that can give them more chances for survival and success.
We are all freelancers now.
Writers and artists take note, this does not mean falling for the next multilevel marketing or vanity publishing ‘opportunity’ you see. Do serious research on companies before you join them: to the point of credit, consumer reports, criminal records, past and current litigation, and bankruptcy checks. Discover as many skeletons in closets as you can. Don’t blindly follow anyone who promises to make your dreams come true, because you will probably only be making their dreams come true.
20 years in the art and writing business have taught me the hard way: when a company spends too much time extolling itself as a ‘family’, that should probably be deciphered as ‘dysfunctional family’. You can still do business with them, but protect yourself, too. Companies who sell your books and art should be sound businesses first, and your friends second. Loyalty goes both ways, but loyalty and friendship cannot excuse poor business decisions or downright slimy behavior.
2013 could be the scariest year many of us have faced – or the most exhilarating. It’s up to us.