Times... they are changing. While some of us sit back and shudder in fear at the horrific possibilities for what's to come, others are fearlessly paving the path into the future.
I have blogged before about my decisions in college. I went back to school at 26 with the intention of getting a "real" career education in forensic psychology, but once I was on campus and taking my first writing class, the gloves came off and I fought back against that societal voice that told me I would never be able to sustain myself or my family as writer. I was told that there were only so many great writers in the world and the chances of becoming one of those who makes enough money to survive are slim to none.
The thing is, like many writers, I have known since I was a little girl that if I didn't write, I would die. Not some lame bodily death, not suicide, but a much more dramatic, inner-death. When I entered the workforce at 21 (yeah, I tried desperately to avoid conventional work even then,) I worked nights and came home every night after work and wrote my heart out because I would not allow the shackles of convention to hold me down.
It wasn't until college that I really started to find myself and my voice as a writer. With college came the confidence I needed, the awareness and that extra push to start sending my work out. The internet has reinforced all of that, and while it seems that the conventional literary world is crumbling down around us I see a light at the end of the tunnel.
That light has come in the last couple months, as I've been fortunate to have become acquainted with some incredibly talented and creative people through the internet. As I explored the worlds they created, I realized that those people had taken all they had inside them and pushed it back out into the world where it belonged. Conventions are no longer an option, whether it is in light of publishing or music. They've exhausted all resources available to them to get their work out there, working conventional jobs by day and pushing themselves hard by night to share themselves and their vision with the world.
Because that's what you do when you're creative. You put yourself out there and you shake the world into submission. I know in my heart that we have passed the brink and a new revolution in creativity is rapidly unfolding before us. Old cities of convention crumble beneath new boots, and a new empire rises from the rubble.
For those of you I know who have stepped into the chaos of this strange new world without trepidation (coughJames Melzercough}, your bravery both inspires and compels those us of still standing on the brink. Know that I am right behind you, both as a supporter and a fellow creator, ready to join in and help in the process of building this strange, new world.
It may not be the world we expected to grow up into, or that we dreamed of as children, but I think it'll be better.
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5 comments:
Jenny,
You're right. As a child, I never expected our world to be what it is today. While it's scary for some to see the rapid changes that are occurring, for me it's an adventure. And because of this adventure, and our ever changing world, I've found a wealth of new inspiration that I never dreamed possible.
I, too, took a less conventional path with my life and I don't regret it for one second. I have no doubt in my mind that had I not chosen the path I did, I would not be in this very spot today.
I believe everything that I've experienced has helped to shape my world and make me better at my craft. With each new experience, I gain knowledge.
Since we began talking months ago, I've found additional parts of myself that I never knew existed. Back then, I wouldn't have tried to write a short story because I'm not known for telling a story that's short. Truth be told, I didn't think I had it in me to create a story that could impact people with so few words. However, because of your encouragement, guidance and friendship, I've delved into areas other areas of writing that have really changed my life.
I appreciate all that you've done for me. I'm glad that I have you as a beacon of light to follow when I flounder and am unsure of where to go. There's no one else I'd rather face this journey with. No one can truly understand what this field is like unless they're in it. I'm glad I have a partner in crime to help show me the way and make me the best that I can be.
Love you lady!
~Nikki
A truly inspirational post, Jenny. Makes a person want to stand up and shout. Thank you for writing and sharing.
Helen
http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com
Thanks Nikki. I am so proud of you. You really have come such a long way in the last few months, braving new things regularly, and your confidence in your writing grows more and more every day. You've been a great friend, a constant encouragement and it has been such a pleasure sharing the road with you. :)*HUG*
Thank you, Helen! I am glad that it touched you. Thank you so much for stopping by. :)
While I've always said I was a writer, I didn't start writing until I was in my late twenties...I went out to live some life first, and at some point, I started being serious about it at some point and never looked back...but the one thing you wrote that I can definitely connect with is... if I wasn't writing, I might as well be dead and buried. I would be miserable without it.
David
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