Where do you draw your stylistic line?

[latinrevenant]

The only sensible ends of literature are, first, the pleasurable toil of writing¹; second, the gratification of one's family and friends²; and lastly, the solid cash³.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

[/b] The author's writes for himself and his own gratification. When he writes, his audience is not in mind—nor does he much care what someone else's opinion is on his writing. His style, his "stylistic line" is drawn without much consideration of his audience, since his writing's end doesn't concern an audience.

2. Most likely, the author considers his audience (family and friends, in this example), but also writes for his own enjoyment, in his own particular way—which may be altered or influenced by what his audience believes.

3. The author writes soley for the fiscal gain, and does whatever his audience will pay for. Twilight is published.[/ul]
I've taken the quote's parameters to their extreme to set up a general spectrum of where an author draws his line. If anyone has any additions to these "ends of literature" feel more than free to post them, taking note that everything in between these three is already implied.

Right now, my line is between #1 and #2, closer to #1. I think my dealings with #3 (in terms of changing my style for money) will be as minimal as possible, and will probably come about when (WHEN, GRAAGGHH, WHEN) I get published and have to consult with an editor.

For me, writing is an art, and I do it because I thoroughly enjoy it. The fact that an audience sometimes tells me they enjoy it is kind of a side-effect as opposed to a conscious end, but it definately suppliments what I wish to accomplish with writing, as well. So, while I write because I enjoy it and love the art—I also want to inspire people, make them think.

also, upon re-reading this a little over three-hundred times as I do before I post, I think I come off as a douche

do i come off as a douche?