Labor “Consent” Of Non-fiction Writers ——A Case Study On Truman Story

In recent years,non-fiction writing has emerged in the field of journalism,and a number of non-fiction writing platforms have flourished.This is not only a stylistic innovation in the field of journalism,but also a change in the mechanism of real production.In addition to the professionalized and professional journalist groups,a large number of popular writers have been included in the production of nonfiction writing.Taking the Truman story,a relatively mature non-fiction writing platform in China,as an example,this paper focuses on how mass writers' labor "consent" to the platform is achieved.Drawing on the theoretical framework of labor processes,this paper uses field observations and in-depth interviews with writers on the platform to answer the following questions: What are the labor practices of non-fiction writers? What factors shape writers' labor "consent" to the platform? What labor dilemmas do writers face and how do they respond to them? On this basis,the study further discuss how the current mechanism of non-fiction production affects the production of real content and the development of non-fiction writing.The study found that writers' "consent" to the platform is not only generated during the practice of non-fiction writing,but also mobilized by their interests,ideals,financial interests,and the brand influence of the platform before entering the platform.In the process of interacting with the platform,writers' recognition of the platform's professionalism,the unstable writing environment,and the lack of personal awareness further contribute to writers' voluntary or passive "consent",while atomistic writers who are not connected to each other find it difficult to form a joint force to resist this situation.The labor dilemma faced by writers affects the achievement of "consent".Platforms mobilize writers to write their own stories,to record and present a realistic picture of the world.However,under commercialization,writers are restricted by the platforms in terms of topic and text,and the continuous non-fiction writing requires writers to bear the cost and revenue risks in advance,which leads writers to be trapped in a labor dilemma and question the labor process.As a result,writers have developed subjective strategies such as withdrawing from the platform,switching to other writing platforms,or actively negotiating with the platform,the first two of which also imply the destruction of "consent".Under such circumstances,it is difficult for the platform to cultivate a group of regular writers,and it is stuck in an operational dilemma.Therefore,the ability to break the labor dilemma faced by writers is crucial to the development of nonfiction writing.