Question: Why is it like this !?
It easier for a musician once they become famous to make money, why not the same for writers !? Were consider "the starving artist"!? Yea you get published and you could write all you want, but people are quicker to listen to music that by my terms "sucks" I mean seriously look at rappers are considered to be poetic, and I mean the music is terrible!. I use to believe heavily in rap, when it use to be good!. Now its just completely terrible!. But I guess listening to music, doesn't require the use of your brain as much as picking up a book, and having an adventure with your imagination through words!. I mean the only people I basically listen to now is Slipknot and yea its a lot of screaming, but if you sat down and read the lyrics!. They are very poetic, with much meaning!. So my question is why do you think musicians as well as writers, and once they have success its quicker for a musician (lyricist) to make money, over a really talented writer !?Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Because writers aren't really in the spotlight, we're more 'behind the scenes'!. I mean, you don't see posters of J!.K!. Rowling, Stephen King, or Anne Rice when you go to Wal-Mart, do you!? They're not on the covers of Elle, Rolling Stone, or Cosmopolitan!. They don't host TRL!. They sit at their desks and work their tails off and mail the fruit of their labor to a big company that'll give them 5% percent of the profit for something that's 100% their creation- why do you think there was a huge writers strike!? 'Cause it's BS!Www@QuestionHome@Com
You just completely lost focuse and started talking about how rap sucks! If you've actually listen you ppl like jay-z you would see that a lot of his music has meaning as well! So why don't you sit down and LISTEN to his lyrics b/c you can actually understand what he's saying! LOL whats the point of music you can't understand!?Www@QuestionHome@Com
I know what you mean!.
I think it has to do with time issues!. A writer might spend years working on a book, then not see it in stores until AFTER he/she's publisher puts it in print, which could be one to two years!.
Musicians, however, (especially rappers, although this is just my opinion) can create albums in as little as two to three months and have it released shortly thereafter!.
You also must take into account the sales of the two industries!. Most people will not, or do not read, and would rather listen to music, which an unlimited supply can be obtained!. iPods also account for much of the boost in music vs!. books!.
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Couple of things!. First, it's not easier for musicians, the majority of them, even some of the "famous" ones are not earning nearly as much money as you think!. In fact, many of them are still "in the hole" with their labels!. Second, sheer marketing is what seems to count more than the music itself, especially in rap which has definitely taken a turn for the worst!. Fans of todays rap are not so much listening to the music as they are buying into all the marketing and hype!. Which brings me to the next point!. A lot of rappers diversify into other industries besides the music because music alone does not generate the income it used to!. Yesterdays hip hop artists did not have to concern themselves with running clothing or drink companies so more time was spent on the art itself!.
I know a member of Slipknot and for any musician touring is where the money comes from!. They, like any other group or rapper are a business and they put themselves through grueling tours in order to maximize income!.
Writers, do not get to do "tours" in front of large stadiums of people across North America or Europe!. Novelist, the few who make a ton of money, the Grisham's and the Stephen King's are very prolific writers, they just churn the books out and the books are SIMPLE!. They are popcorn or fluff, easy and quick to read and so they sell!. Music you can listen to in a car, reading you can not do unless you are stationary with few if any distractions!. Music, you can listen to while running or working out, it becomes background noise whether it's Slipknot or Lil Wayne!. You are not picking up a book or carrying it around the gym with you to get yourself pumped up for the next set, or next lap in the pool or on the track!. So there's your pattern, there are simply inherent differences in how a musicians work and a writers work is used or enjoyed by the audience that make a great deal of difference in income!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
One of the reasons is that musicians are performing artists, this means, a big part of their profit (indeed, most of it for those musicians who are just mildly famous, and even some of the more famous) comes from their concerts!.!.!. I don't think there's much profit out of readings!.
On the other hand, musicians have a larger exposure!. Most people this days hear radio of some sort, and therefore, they have exposure to new artists!. Normally, people buy new authors' books because someone recommended them, or because they are good readers, and look for reviews, etc!.
Finally, even the mildest production of a new musician usually sells 10,000 copies or more!. It is estimated that the first book of a new author sells 5,000 copies or less!. Yeah, people listen to music more than they read books!Www@QuestionHome@Com