Earlier this year in true non-resolution tradition, I said this year I want to focus more on writing. Because “more” is relative and not measurable but basically writing anything would be more than what I wrote last year.
In an attempt to act as if, I did take some measures to achieve my non-goal. One of them was finding a good podcast about writing. Write Now with Sarah Werner. Her most recent episode is How To Survive Your Day Job.
I won’t give it all away but basically, some people choose to live their creative lives while eating off a 9-5. You don’t want to put the burden of sustaining Sunday brunch and Target runs on your art alone. It can suck the joy out of your art, and some people like stability and actually having time off. Hustling ain’t for everybody.
Sarah goes on to say:
Americans (and maybe other cultures as well — I’m not sure) often suffer from “expectations vs. reality” syndrome. We get an idea of how something “should be”, and are then completely wrecked with disappointment when it turns out that’s not the case.
It ties into Liz Gilbert’s statement about Americans need to always be doing better than the year before. Lines on a chart.
Either way, and no matter what your art may be (even though I hate the term “creative”), you need to find a way to do it. Because it’s your art. And you get to a point where you’re like, “ok well can I even call myself a <insert what they call people who do your art> because I don’t <whatever lame excuse you give yourself that day>.” Impostor syndrome. Like am I not a writer because I get frustrated that every actor, YouTube celeb, and blogger have book deals and I can’t manage the time to type a blog post most days? Does it count as writing if I tally the word count from all my tweets? Especially when I’m live-tweeting?
You don’t have to get paid, or quit your day job, or spend every free moment doing your art to make you an artist. You just have to call your self a writer to be a writer. Does that make you a good one? Probably not. But you just need the confidence of a mediocre white man and you can be anything you want to be.
This is not so much a call for amens and “but you are a good artist”, but moreso a reminder to myself.
If you’re even remotely interested in writing, I do recommend checking out Sarah’s podcast, for tips and encouragement and real advice.
Good stuff, Maynard!
"But you just need the confidence of a mediocre white man and you can be anything you want to be." – that line made me laugh out loud… because it's true. Great post! As a scientist working on becoming a writer I know impostor syndrome all too well. I'm glad I'm not alone lol.