Yes, so true! I was selling one hour dramas in Canada, then the business tanked for me. I had to get a day job to support us. Producers changed, the tv biz moved along. I find now that when I sell a short story to a science fiction market, it signifies. It is art and it sustains me. I'm still trying to sell the bigger dollar things, but it is very satisfying to sell short stories and poems. They are my Art.
After a decade-ish of doing whatever rando jobs I had to to maximize writing time, I've had to do the responsible thing and take a "job" job again. It's good work (teaching high school English) and I'll be getting up at 4am to get a few hours in every day, but I've been feeling like the lack of rousing commercial success is somehow indicative of my (lack of) value as an artist. So it's lovely to be reminded that the Love will always be there for me in the process.
Hopefully I'll remember to share that with my students. :-)
I've been thinking along these same lines as of late. Where do I put my limited resources and clicks on clock. I know I will never stop creating it's just what do pick. What to pick?
You've been such a great example of this since the day we met. You were always creating, putting projects together, passing on your knowledge and lending your expertise to make shorts with your students in class. I remember being at Shawnee making a short in a day, which goes a long way toward showing them a) it can be done, b) it can be such a satisfying creative experience just to have made something.
So true! Thanks for the reminder (-:
Beautiful - thanks for sharing:)
Good stuff , thank you
Yes, so true! I was selling one hour dramas in Canada, then the business tanked for me. I had to get a day job to support us. Producers changed, the tv biz moved along. I find now that when I sell a short story to a science fiction market, it signifies. It is art and it sustains me. I'm still trying to sell the bigger dollar things, but it is very satisfying to sell short stories and poems. They are my Art.
I'm turning to the short stories more and more for the same reason. And because I like the challenge of trying to get better at something new!
Short stories wonderful. Like going to the brain gym.
Just read this out loud to my partner. It spoke to the moment and nourishes something deep in both of us. Thank you.
I'm so glad to hear that, thank you!
Yes indeed. Loved this!
❤️
Thanks, Mickey. I needed this.
After a decade-ish of doing whatever rando jobs I had to to maximize writing time, I've had to do the responsible thing and take a "job" job again. It's good work (teaching high school English) and I'll be getting up at 4am to get a few hours in every day, but I've been feeling like the lack of rousing commercial success is somehow indicative of my (lack of) value as an artist. So it's lovely to be reminded that the Love will always be there for me in the process.
Hopefully I'll remember to share that with my students. :-)
Cheers!
Hey, Josh! I'm glad that this was a welcome reminder. Your students are lucky to have you!
Loved this Mickey - thanks for parsing it just the right way.
True dat!
I've been thinking along these same lines as of late. Where do I put my limited resources and clicks on clock. I know I will never stop creating it's just what do pick. What to pick?
Thanks, Scott
You've been such a great example of this since the day we met. You were always creating, putting projects together, passing on your knowledge and lending your expertise to make shorts with your students in class. I remember being at Shawnee making a short in a day, which goes a long way toward showing them a) it can be done, b) it can be such a satisfying creative experience just to have made something.