Okay, quite a few of you know I'm an older fart and have had a bit of a writing career etc. in audio drama and dabbled in other things. I'm here because I've switched to novels and that's new to me so I'm here to learn.
I read a lot of what many of you younger writers and artists post and ... it hurts my heart to see you despair about where you're going or if your work seems to be stalled, or is it worth it, and a thousand other self-doubt moments.
I won't tell you that this is part and parcel of a creative field, you already know that. What I will tell you, however, is: Please don't despair.
I've been down that deep, dark hole and thought nothing will ever happen. Frankly, I still feel that way sometimes. But (and this is for me) I look back an I realize I HAVE done things. I HAVE gone places.
But this is the problem, while I was doing things and while I was going places, I didn't realize it. I was so focused on what I thought it should be I forgot to enjoy some of what was happening.
What you're working on today, and this is my opinion, shouldn't be the end to end all, it should be the stepping stone to the next piece, and the next and the next.
I know you've been told this before and you probably already know this but please, please don't despair. I've seen too many fine artists, writers, singers, etc. give up because they were too focused on thinking that what they were doing wasn't enough.
You're human. You're a human who is talented. You have talents you haven't yet touched and will only be brought out when you're ready to handle them. Sometimes our subconscious knows what we can and can't handle and somehow manages to make us wait until we're ready.
A friend of mine today, (in his early 30's) one of the composers on one of my audio dramas, an exceptional musician and a fine teacher said this:: As a young musician I always took solace in the fact that one of the all time metal greats, Ronnie James Dio didn't get a real break until he was in his 30's and didn't become known for his own material in his 40's."
Please endeavor to learn to trust yourself and your talents. Strive to banish nay-sayers and above all, don't despair. Being a creative person is a path filled with dark holes and stretches of light so brilliant it takes your breath away.
Believe it or not, we older creatives love you all and wish we could make things easier for you and are thrilled to see what you come up with in your time in this world.
Write/draw hard , Write/draw true.