The idea of the starving artist may be a stereotype at this point, but it’s far from an unfounded one.
I’m lucky in that I’m not technically starving, but there are times I come way too close for comfort. Many of my fellow authors would argue that I’m lucky to be doing THAT well, and I won’t argue with them on that point. I am fortunate to be in the position I’m in and I feel like I’m near the cusp of a real breakthrough in my chosen career, my passion.
Anyone who knows me well will also tell you that I felt the same way last year at this time and the year before that.
*sigh* Such is how our minds wander. Artists rarely get the accolades or payment consummate to the energy and time they spend on their works, yet if we ponder too long on that grim fact, we’re likely to have head-explody … or at least find our creative hearts torn out. Rejection is the monkey our backs, beating us about the brow and pulling out our hair and moth-filled wallets are our constant companions.
Both wear hard on the soul.
So the only way to survive is to force oneself to be hopeful, to be resolute in the course, to keep trying harder to find a spot in the sun. It isn’t easy and it isn’t fun, but those moments when things truly come together and even a small number of people enjoy your works can make all the difference.
So it is that I carry on and hopefully the rest of you out there, no matter your chosen art form, do the same.
Oh, and on a totally pragmatic bit of site news, those financial empties that I’m going through mean that some of the Soundcloud content (several interviews and other podcasts) are temporarily offline. This should be fixed by next month, so just hold on for a bit!
Until next time, good reading, good writing, and good luck! Stiff upper lips, everyone!
J. B. Garner - Musings of a Starving Author 