Sep 2017
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Oct 2017
Oct 2017
jammythebirb
Oct '17

There are so many things I'd like to do. Really, I'd love to get my stories read by as many people as I can, and have it mean something to them. I want to finish what I start, and create an entire world out of multiple comics and stories set over a period of many years. Someday, I'd love to get something published properly, and make a living from my art/writing, although I'm not sure how feasible that is. It's good to have dreams, even if it can be disheartening when things don't go as well as you'd like.

Eleven_MA
Oct '17

This is actually an interesting question in my case.

I always admired people who shared their work with others free of charge: Artists, webcomic authors, fanart and fanfiction creators, modders, patchers, small-time freeware programmers, free-to-play game developers, content translators for free project, etc. I found it very inspiring that some people would put their time and work into making something valuable and giving it to others. When I began writing, I wanted to do the exact same thing: Put my all into creating the best original story I can, then give it to the readers just for the sake of their enjoyment.

It took me much too long to realise that free-of-charge content is usually rooted in an established market. Fanart, fanfiction and mods are based on popular titles and their fanbase; freeware software is usually utility tools that help dealing with common issues (usually caused by the sloppy work of the big-time developers); free-to-play games are often a part of a marketing campaign for the studio. The grand majority of the free-of-charge creators I admired so much didn't have to build their audience from the scratch. It was already there, they only had to carve a niche.

This made me realise my goal was simply unrealistic. While it's certainly possible to break through with original content, it's a teeth-and-nail fight for every pageview. That, in turn, went against what I wished for. Having to beg others to accept something meant as a gift made that 'gift' feel worthless.

Admittably, I was also stuck in the past. The environment changed a lot in the last decade or so. Back in the day, offering your work for free was admired more. "They didn't have to do this. They could have used that time and effort for themselves. Yet here they are, giving something and demanding nothing in return. That's something to appreciate." Things changed a lot since then. Free-of-charge content became much more common, the market got saturated and the creators have to fight to get noticed. That's not something I could conquer with determination and persistence. The world moved on. I got left behind.

Right now, I'm not sure what I want to be when it comes to writing. I had to scrap my initial goals, but I don't really feel passionate about anything else. I don't want to become published, famous, admired, praised or anything like that, and pursuing it would only drain me. In a way I have nothing to feel determined about, writing-wise. I guess I'll just write into a drawer for now?

Sorry for the wall of text. I just felt it gives a bit of a different perspective to the topic.

Shanny8
Oct '17

THIS. That's why I'm trying to be patient as hell...

This too. I AM one of those who work another job, but I feel I've come to an understanding of practicality- the job that I work but I'm not fond of pays the bills, provides benefits(like health/medical ins- which I def NEED at this point & time in my life), and provides me with extra wherewithal to pursue my comics ambitions(buy digital/traditional supplies, print books, go to/table at conventions, throw money at comic kickstarter projects that I like- even throw money at other creators' printed comics that I like). Not the best situation, but I try to make the best of it.

Eleven_MA
Oct '17
Mr_B

This so much. Coming from East Europe, I think I know exactly what you're talking about. All that's missing is parents and grandparents asking 'why don't you have a (stable) job?' as though it was something you simply pick in a store. Like it was back in their days.

Anyway, it also brings something that my mother tells me to mind: "What you do for a living and what you do for personal fulfilment may or may not be the same thing". There is a story of a certain famous poet from my country. He had a tremendous impact on our literature, both in his life and after death.

He was a banking clerk for a living.

He published under a pseudonym. None of his poet colleagues knew his true name or indentity, and no one in his small town realised that he was a poet. He spent his life living in a small flat, going to work then returning home and writing. No one ever gave him a second glance... Until he died and his landlady had to clear out his flat. To her surprise, she found an astounding collection of never-published poems, some of them very emotional and private. The kind of stuff he'd never share with an audience when he was alive.

He didn't earn a living through his art. In fact, he picked a boring, unengaging job just so he could concentrate on doing what he truly loved. I don't know if he was happy with this arrangement, but he never changed it. Looking at the results of his work I'd say it did pay off, too.

I find that story is all more relevant in our times, when being an amateur artist is easier than ever. The tools of trade and supplies are no longer prohibitively expensive, it's possible to earn a living and still devote yourself to something else and given the amount of sources available, an amateur can maintain a very high level of art. I think it boils down to what @shazzbaa mentioned. We don't have to be professional artists to make art anymore. We're in an unique position to eat the cake and have the cake :slight_smile:

joe_galindez
Oct '17

I respect that. But on the other hand some of us aren't good at anything except maybe baking cakes.

sandpaperdaisy
Oct '17
BlackRoses_RedRavens

Shoot, this isn't a weird thing to say or want to do, this is cool. I hope you help a lot of folks have a better experience with this day to day stuff! It always makes me sad whenever I realize that something that's not a hassle for me (buying/finding self-care products for me) can be fraught with all sorts of challenges and emotions for someone else who doesn't share my circumstances. I'd like everybody to have an easier experience!

sandpaperdaisy
Oct '17
dawgofdawgness

I realize it's probably a humorous example and I have no idea if this will be uplifting or not, but the most awesome/most successful local artist I know is in fact a janitor. Dude's had shows in New York, has his own studio, sells his original paintings, the whole enchilada. And he seems genuinely happy. I think he's simply supplementing the "feast or famine" nature of freelance work with an easy (mentally) job that keeps his dreams going smoothly. And MAN does he create frequent, amazing work.

He's willing to put in some time doing a mundane job to always keep him in paints, and as a result he's got a known, huge body of work that he can proudly look back on. I don't think the random job stuff we have to do matters a bit if it gets us our dreams. And whatever the job, an honest job is an honorable, admirable thing to do if a boring one. Ultimately, a "job" means you're helping someone.

eworks01
Oct '17

I've spent the last 5 years working on a bachalor's degree, so I want to actually use it and work as an interpreter for at least a few years. My college experience had some ups and downs, but for the most part it was a really good experience. I think what I benefited the most from it was maturing and regaining excitement for creative pursuits.

I want to write and illustrate children books that I'll self publish.
I want to dust off my old projects and complete them better than how I first wrote them 13 years ago. Completing them is big goal.
I have multiple mediums and styles I want to work in, but mostly I WANT to write and be happy with what I've created. I'd be delighted if it made enough money to live off of, but mainly the time, focus, and drive to create until it's done.

I may have to go back to working fast food like I did before college, but I'm okay with that.

Moxxi
Oct '17

I already am what I've been meaning to be. A paid government worker who creates webcomic pages on a weekly basis!

Testaccount
Oct '17
Eleven_MA

Thanks for responding to me, and your thoughts were interesting to read. I was actually talking to my writing friend about this today.

Those were such true words!. Many people are trying to get noticed these days, and it feels almost impossible to break through the crowd. When I'm online, I often like I'm in a sea of bodies, waving my manuscript up in the air while the writing gods decide who to choose. It's a struggle, and I've had many ups and downs walking this road.

However, it's a path I plan to keep on walking until I finally realize my destination isn't in the distance.

I hope one day you find that spark with writing again.

Shanny8
Oct '17
Eleven_MA

Mmmm...cake. I had some today- delish.