The Potboiler
by Ernst Schneidereit
potboiler, n., Informal. a mediocre work of art or literature created merely for financial gain.
As a young classical music radio DJ, I would mildly rail against the many potboilers in the catalogues of famous composers. How unworthy these compositions were! Although satisfying pieces in their own right, they seldom reached the heights of works created for the artist’s own interest.
Ugh — the naiveté of youth.
To understand the potboiler, one needs more than a little experience in creating them because of necessity — as in, without them the pot does not boil. I comprehend the potboiler now, not because I’ve created any great works of literature or art in my spare time, but because I have completed more than enough writing solely “for financial gain.”
Indeed, you have the fourth issue of Arts Are Up! in 2011, and not late 2009, because the potboilers have been calling and I must heed their hail. Without them, the bills will not be paid and more than one writer has earned notoriety for suffering under the tyranny of the unpaid creditor. I am not notorious, but I share the payments due. I now realize the merits of the potboiler. Creating such products is seldom entertaining or captivating. Nevertheless, there are moments when a particular problem is solved, or when a phrase is turned that perfectly meets the need (even if the need is strictly commercial), and that leads to its own joy and twinge of pride.
My favorite piece of personal writing is actually a single headline advertising a concert featuring a young wind instrument ensemble — “No Strings Attached!” While I certainly cannot claim the cliché, I took full credit for finding the right time to apply it. A potboiler indeed!
Thus, my apologies to any artist or writer ever insulted by my inexperience when I was young. Instead of turning up my nose, I lift up my glass. Whether you fill it with beer, wine or another alcohol, it has likely been paid for by some brand of potboiler.