Monday 9 March 2009

Working for free

Sometimes I think I'm crazy. All the work I do for nothing. Nada. No reward at all. Except the occasionally bit of laughable abuse. How many hours have I put into the website, blog and book? It doesn't bear thinking about. But working for free does have one huge advantage: you can do whatever you want.

I only write about what I want to. I have no employer, publisher or editor peering over my shoulder, tutting at the unmarketability of my output. Or telling me what to write. It's an incredibly liberating feeling, being your own man*.

That's what's great about the modern electronic world. Everyone has that opportunity. To speak from the heart, without mediation. Though much of what we write may bore the trolleys of all but a handful of the population. I'm not exactly mainstream myself. (My prediction to Mike "I'll sell loads of copies of 'Mild!' - ten easily." may have been a touch optimistic.) Freedom of thought and the freedom to express your thoughts is a beautiful thing.

I'm going to continue writing for free. Because it gives me a satisfaction no sum of money could equal. And to continue writing what I choose. Ditto. No-one will tell me what to write.

*Or woman.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought you worked for Beer...

Ron Pattinson said...

I didn't say I couldn't be bought for beer . . .

Mark Dredge said...

If it makes you feel better I love what you write and I read it every day. I've learnt a huge amount about beer thanks to your blog and find the history fascinating. Keep it up!!

Oblivious said...

How many copies of mild did you sell?

Ron Pattinson said...

Oblivious, that's commercially confidential information.

Matt said...

I just want to second Mark's comments, so much people accept as fact about beer history (IPA, mild and porter to name three examples) or don't even question and so few people - just you and Zythophile as far as I can see - doing something about it.

Unknown said...

I read what you write, the numbers make my eyes glaze over, but I still read them.

Anonymous said...

I admit it! I bought a copy of Mild! So that's one, at least.

I read your blog everyday too. sometimes several times per day, but then, I'm a sad old git.

Sometimes it's nice to have some facts based on primary sources rather than third-hand opinion and speculation. Keep up the good work.

Bill said...

Hey, I bought your book. That's not nada. For nada I want a refund.


But I jest.

Anonymous said...

I want to third Mark's thoughts and second Matt's. I don't always comprehend it all, but I am very thankful it is here to educate me in the ways of beer.

Ben