That is so true in creative endeavors but applies to so many other areas of life as well. Nothing is as is used to be whereby if you e.g. study architecture you will earn a good living as an architect and so on. We did it to ourselves and now (our kids to come as well) need to have the thickest skin ever to be "normal"
I so love this article and the last 2 sentences. This is me! I’m so stubborn I sometimes succeed because I will keep trying to hop that barricade. Also if someone tells me no, the rebel in me arises and is like, hmm but maybe there is a way!
Thanks so much for reading. I am stubborn too. I wish I had thick skin but I don’t. But I think just the act of writing in our age is rebellious. It’s not cool therefore the coolest thing I can think of.
Oh, the negativity game is a tough one. My side hustle has taught me that I'm not everyone's favorite. People have literally turned around and left when they saw me in the room. Ouch! But as you say: "There is an endless supply of people online who are ready to remind aspiring authors of the odds against them (us). I do not know if it is one-in-a-million, but that’s what it feels like..."
Someday, once my book is actually published, I will share the road I took (LOTS of red lights🚦in every direction, as you say...)
Thanks for sharing this. There is encouragement when I think I’m not alone feeling these things. Your book will be published and mine too. Only a matter of when.
This is a great post. I think it's okay to be a little pessimistic or negative sometimes. We can't always be happy and positive—it's an unrealistic expectation we place on ourselves. It's important to process negative emotions, move on, and remind ourselves that better things are ahead. That’s the hardest part, but those who manage to do this are usually the ones who feel most satisfied. This applies not only to artists like us but to everyone.
Thanks so much. You always add a great perspective to everything. I am guilty of pessimism and express it here often. I don’t want to be false, but I run the risk of people not liking what I write. I wish the creative industries were more helpful. Most artists are sensitive anyway and it can feel like being battered by negativity. But we got to keep going like you said.
I think you are mostly right. Blessed be the beginners. The problem is dedicating yourself to something for so long and...at the end having to convince yourself that the mere doing was satisfaction enough. And maybe it is, idk. Maybe the negativity, the refusal to accept the mere doing, because more is wanted from a lifes work is the necessary desire that impels us forward. Idk. Maybe I am missing your point and only writing to myself. I really enjoyed the post. Made me think quite a bit.
Hey JP. I am so glad you connected to the story. I think about what you are saying all the time. I want a bit more than the mere doing. And I wish everything in this world did not seem like an uphill climb. I take some satisfaction in thinking I am writing my story that others can read for a very long time. It’s like I am compiling a book even when no one is interested in making it a book. But my dreams are still out there, and I feel compelled to continue. If I didn’t, I would probably quit. But I hope you feel hope as well. Thanks for writing. As you know, your words here are the things that are so encouraging.
The music industry now offers 360 deals, but you must have a following and do all the work. Independents take risks, but I guess they have to see something. Even the ones with the luxury of full music educations, lessons from childhood and expensive schooling from one online producer/composer told me they are struggling.
For me I have to start producing, I thought maybe demo's for other artists, my age is past recruitment, but I was offered funding from a family member of my best friend to get going, she was a singer, I went to uni instead, it was not ready the technology merger. She wanted a 3 person writing team, me on music. Before I knew I liked poetry and could write lyrics. Person three had insights and the ability to network, sell (exaggerate) like it was nothing, my best friend, I wish we were still in touch, its gone now. fade away!
I realized I might be able to sing - actually I realized I will be able to sing, as I step after a long time out (mental health) to bring my voice slowly back online, and finally do the hard work here on my 6u rack box with the digital software, to mix with the analog.
But I will finish these tasks and do it for myself, as I have no illusions, I struggle to connect with people despite my language being emotion, written or sung, or played. So maybe that's one myth down, I've lost all engagement on here, because emotion and mental health can cause harm, or because Substack are now not prioritizing my work, other authors are hit, so what is going on there, it started 2 months ago. publish weekly or we won't push your content? This is not how it should work, its a punishment.
Its terrible for writers too, I can see it in the way this platform unfolds itself in front of me, I haven't lost subscribers/folllowers but readers, not enough interactions, I am too shy with my own audience maybe to try to get engagement, or my audience is not really interested anymore, sadly. But I can give engagement to others.
I wish you success, and maybe on one front, you can find success. Substack is a resource mentality.
That is so true in creative endeavors but applies to so many other areas of life as well. Nothing is as is used to be whereby if you e.g. study architecture you will earn a good living as an architect and so on. We did it to ourselves and now (our kids to come as well) need to have the thickest skin ever to be "normal"
Great piece!
Thanks so much. You add some insight with your comments here, which is why I love to see comments. You are so right.
Bring the good pieces Strawbridge, we will bring the comments 😉
Good deal.
I so love this article and the last 2 sentences. This is me! I’m so stubborn I sometimes succeed because I will keep trying to hop that barricade. Also if someone tells me no, the rebel in me arises and is like, hmm but maybe there is a way!
-Rebel with a cause.
Thanks so much for reading. I am stubborn too. I wish I had thick skin but I don’t. But I think just the act of writing in our age is rebellious. It’s not cool therefore the coolest thing I can think of.
love this!! I don’t have the thickest skin either which is also why the business/writing besties help a lot!
Oh, the negativity game is a tough one. My side hustle has taught me that I'm not everyone's favorite. People have literally turned around and left when they saw me in the room. Ouch! But as you say: "There is an endless supply of people online who are ready to remind aspiring authors of the odds against them (us). I do not know if it is one-in-a-million, but that’s what it feels like..."
Someday, once my book is actually published, I will share the road I took (LOTS of red lights🚦in every direction, as you say...)
Thanks for sharing this. There is encouragement when I think I’m not alone feeling these things. Your book will be published and mine too. Only a matter of when.
Yes! Sometimes the timelines are out of our control 😢 Not 𝙞𝙛 but 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣!
This is a great post. I think it's okay to be a little pessimistic or negative sometimes. We can't always be happy and positive—it's an unrealistic expectation we place on ourselves. It's important to process negative emotions, move on, and remind ourselves that better things are ahead. That’s the hardest part, but those who manage to do this are usually the ones who feel most satisfied. This applies not only to artists like us but to everyone.
Thanks so much. You always add a great perspective to everything. I am guilty of pessimism and express it here often. I don’t want to be false, but I run the risk of people not liking what I write. I wish the creative industries were more helpful. Most artists are sensitive anyway and it can feel like being battered by negativity. But we got to keep going like you said.
I think you are mostly right. Blessed be the beginners. The problem is dedicating yourself to something for so long and...at the end having to convince yourself that the mere doing was satisfaction enough. And maybe it is, idk. Maybe the negativity, the refusal to accept the mere doing, because more is wanted from a lifes work is the necessary desire that impels us forward. Idk. Maybe I am missing your point and only writing to myself. I really enjoyed the post. Made me think quite a bit.
Hey JP. I am so glad you connected to the story. I think about what you are saying all the time. I want a bit more than the mere doing. And I wish everything in this world did not seem like an uphill climb. I take some satisfaction in thinking I am writing my story that others can read for a very long time. It’s like I am compiling a book even when no one is interested in making it a book. But my dreams are still out there, and I feel compelled to continue. If I didn’t, I would probably quit. But I hope you feel hope as well. Thanks for writing. As you know, your words here are the things that are so encouraging.
The music industry now offers 360 deals, but you must have a following and do all the work. Independents take risks, but I guess they have to see something. Even the ones with the luxury of full music educations, lessons from childhood and expensive schooling from one online producer/composer told me they are struggling.
For me I have to start producing, I thought maybe demo's for other artists, my age is past recruitment, but I was offered funding from a family member of my best friend to get going, she was a singer, I went to uni instead, it was not ready the technology merger. She wanted a 3 person writing team, me on music. Before I knew I liked poetry and could write lyrics. Person three had insights and the ability to network, sell (exaggerate) like it was nothing, my best friend, I wish we were still in touch, its gone now. fade away!
I realized I might be able to sing - actually I realized I will be able to sing, as I step after a long time out (mental health) to bring my voice slowly back online, and finally do the hard work here on my 6u rack box with the digital software, to mix with the analog.
But I will finish these tasks and do it for myself, as I have no illusions, I struggle to connect with people despite my language being emotion, written or sung, or played. So maybe that's one myth down, I've lost all engagement on here, because emotion and mental health can cause harm, or because Substack are now not prioritizing my work, other authors are hit, so what is going on there, it started 2 months ago. publish weekly or we won't push your content? This is not how it should work, its a punishment.
Its terrible for writers too, I can see it in the way this platform unfolds itself in front of me, I haven't lost subscribers/folllowers but readers, not enough interactions, I am too shy with my own audience maybe to try to get engagement, or my audience is not really interested anymore, sadly. But I can give engagement to others.
I wish you success, and maybe on one front, you can find success. Substack is a resource mentality.