A love letter to your inner artist –where is the love…I mean, the creativity?
When we’re all twittering away, chronicling our lives bit by bit, reporting in chunks of calculated data, and wiling away our hours competing for attention, I have two questions: 1) are we getting it?; and, 2) are we losing our creative edge? I mean, really, where is the love…the creativity?
I know there are some die hard creatives who are in their woodsheds minding their manuscripts, writing for their love of the craft, but what about the rest of us? First I have to make a disclaimer that I do understand that we’re still in the experimental stages of new technology, which is tremendously exciting, but I do question how all of this time spent playing there might usurp our original intentions for creating our works of art.
You can ask the question to yourself – are you writing from the passion in your pen or the insecurity of your psyche that craves the limelight. A lot of the first and a bit of the second is not a bad formula, but I fear that when the latter gets the lion’s share of your time, it’s easy to lose your way. Forget why you’re in this arena in the first place.
What I’m about to suggest is a little counterintuitive to all the rhetoric of how to be a successful published (or self-published) author that you’ve heard before — even from me.
If you think that spending too much time in a promotional mindset is cutting into your true purpose to creatively express yourself. If you think your muse is getting perturbed or deflected by your inner businessman or woman, it may be time to take a pause and look at your life.
What is becoming of you? You’ve got 1,110 friends on Facebook, you’ve been twittering 10 times a day, posting on other people’s blogs, you’ve even got fans for your own virtual groups. Congratulations, you’re probably getting noticed. I’m glad. Thrilled, actually. I’m just concerned about the tender heart or burning brain that moved you to write in the first place.
My solution to saving your writer’s soul? Delegate.
If you’re feeling off kilter and neglecting the creative side to your project (even that word sounds too cold for the bookish), find someone to do your virtual bidding. Have them “be you” and show up personally for the really important events. Like chatting with your readers. Speaking to them directly in some way. Keep up the intrigue of the writer’s inner life. Don’t cheapen yourself for the love of book sales. Have someone do it for you.
I could be slayed at my desk job on Monday for suddenly advocating dependence on another over self-reliance but, I’m sorry, I must champion the artist first. As someone who speaks music first, then words, I know that if I don’t personally nurture my muse for the mere love of my craft, my soul goes adrift and I am not happy.
I’ve said it over and again, I’m not billionaire material but I am committed to what makes my heart beat. I can steer you onto the billionaire path, and I do it well, but I’ll never ask you to sell your soul.
This is a love letter to your inner artist.
Big kiss.
World Tai Chi Day in Delray Beach with Master Gary Tong
Could this be why I’m still single? Or, how many birds does it take before you are officially eccentric?
In honor of Moms – birds, cats, speckled newts
As I prepare for my weekly lunch with Midge, my dear old mom (she’s 85), I’m thinking that I should share some good stuff that I’m working with, a little ahead of Mom’s Day.
Now, mind you, all I know about mothering is: 1) that I have one; and, 2) that I do a pretty good job in that role to birds and cats, occasionally a dog and once upon a time some mice and a pair of orange and black speckled newts (who mysteriously disappeared from their plastic container in my childhood home in NJ)
I do forgive my mom (Midge) for hiding the fact that our rescued bluejay who we nursed back to health and called, “Bird,” actually never again enjoyed his life in the wild upon setting him free. Rather, with his little bird toenails painted silver (so we’d recognize him) he sacrificed himself by flying square into the side of our house. Poor little Bird.
I was in my 20′s when my mom broke the bad news. She knew I’d handle it better as an adult and eventually stop being angy at her.
Mom’s are like that.
So, here are some gems from HCI newly gracing the bookstore shelves that start from life inside the womb, to the toddler years, to just the appreciation of moms for offspring of all ages to enjoy and bestow upon their own.
For the adventurous new mom
Thank goodness for Jen Singer!
We love you mom!
And last but not least…
me & the Midge
Facebook, you little old matchmaker you
What has been the most significant or surprising or sweet “encounter” that you’ve made on Facebook? Have you found old friends? Long lost family members? Got a job? Piqued the interest of a journalist?
I’ve been a member of the FB clan for some months and probably the two connections I’ve made that warm my heart cockles the most are reuniting with my favorite friend from elementary school and meeting up with a cousin after a 5 year hiatus. I captured interest of a major magazine reporter and made some new “friends” but it’s the personal side of the social networking contraption that touches me most.
I guess it’s doing the job it was set out to do.
Just leave it to the grown-ups to spoil the party and see it as yet another potential gold mine. Wow! I either sound bitter or stupid saying that but I have to admit, I get a little weary of the “get rich quick” scheming mentality of our culture. I like the good life as much as the next FB’er, I’m just tired of everything in life having to turn into a commercial opportunity.
Don’t get me wrong, I am also participating in this social networking experiment for business purposes. I find it a good way to spread good cheer about the HCI label, to promote the deserving authors who publish there, and to give good books some good plugs. I’ve even been trying to lure more blog readers and fans here through some nearly shameless come ons.
Am I conflicted? A little, maybe, but I’m a big fan of balance so I like to see evidence of that quality when I look around at the world. Even on my internet excursions and my blogging banter.
Lighten up people! Stop taking yourselves so seriously and I will do the same. No matter how many lives we might have (or not), the one we’re in now sails by like nobody’s business.
« Previous Page — Next Page »
