That's a horrible exchange rate, if you ask me. Has anyone thought to check the ticker in the last few centuries to see if it's gotten any closer to par? It is way past time for writers to come up with their own system of "art currency"; one that fairly reflects the real worth of words. (For a brief and perhaps inaccurate [considering the source] history lesson on this expression, visit Wikipedia)
First, let us talk about value of writers, because words are only as good as the writer who wields them. There is a presumption Out There that because most people use writing to a certain extent in their every day lives (memos, e-mails, crank letters to the editor), that anyone can write, that it’s an easier dream to attain. An artist, though, is seen as having a great talent that cannot be duplicated. This isn't to say that we don't appreciate our authors, but if you ask around, I'm willing to bet that a lot more people have a dream of being a writer than an artist. This, by virtue of the fact that they say to themselves, "I know English, I'm well read, I have that story my Great Aunt Flo used to tell me about that fishing trip to Poughkeepsie. I bet I could write that down and become a Writer!" So pretty much any schmo with a laptop can sit down one day and claim to be a writer, while those same schmos know that they would not be able to sit down at an easel and be an artist.
Ah, but what goes into being a writer? Most would say that you are a writer when you are published, which is partly true, because for most people, unless you are independently wealthy or are a "starving artist", you are a writer slash something. (some are lucky enough, like me, to be a writer slash writer, but I digress). Being a writer/something comes with the knowledge that although writing is a serious goal, it could be seen by some right now as a hobby that you do in your spare time. I am of the opinion, however, that an unpublished writer is no less of one than a painter who has never held a gallery showing is considered less of an artist. Either way, stories and art are being produced. Whether people read or see them are inconsequential. But that doesn't mean that just anyone can be a writer...
So if you don't have to be published, what do you need to be a writer? In my mind, writing takes a few things: a sound knowledge of grammar; a knack for storytelling and having a story worth telling; an ability to paint a picture with words; the commitment to telling the truth; a history of reading a broad range of material; the dedication to finishing something you started, no matter how long it takes. Some of these can be learned and others will evolve over time, but they are all things that people need to have a rudimentary sense of in order to be a writer. In this way, a writer needs just as much talent and training and has to work just as hard as an artist for his or her craft.
Now that we know the merit of a good writer, how much are words worth?
Consider this sentence:
"The woman, numb and trembling, collapsed over her broken child, the
blood soaking her blouse."
Tragic, no? Tugs at the heartstrings, don't it? Did you shed a tear or two? You know you did. You can see the pain of a mother as she clutches at her child; the shock, the feeling of helplessness, of fear. You wonder what happened to bring this about and you wonder what comes next. This, my friends, is why words are worth any number of pictures. With these 15 words, you are transported to your own imagination, you are caught up in a story and you are invested emotionally in an intense situation. A photo may be able to capture this image, but with words, you can truly feel like you are there. (And just so you don't worry, the blood turned out to be ketchup; he was playing a prank on his mother. Watched too many episodes of Punk'd. He got grounded for two weeks, missed playing in the playoffs at little league. Didn't get a trophy. Very sad. Kids today)
So the next time you are at a gallery and you hear someone say that a picture is worth 1 000 words, you turn around and say, "You might be able to describe a picture in 1 000 words, but
1 000 words can paint a picture more vivid than any on canvas."
I've just checked the ticker, we're finally at par.
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