I've always told my students that in a capitalist society, where every act and every person is monetized, and the propulsive force is to consume, to create is a revolutionary act.
I attended a gathering of writers a local bookstore hosted last week and met a woman who has written three books, none published. She hasn’t even tried to publish them, because self-doubt, but also, because, as she says, that’s not why she writes.
I was a maker in the early days of Etsy and was selling my handmade goods at local craft shows and after several years I took a hard look at myself and realized I wasn’t enjoying the creation part of my art anymore - it was all about “how can I monetize this?”
What I’m trying to say is you and Vanessa are 100% correct. Making/creating/writing *are* all valuable just for the act of it. ❤️ And that Miller person sounds deeply unhappy.
Thanks so much for your comment, Laurie. When I first became a writer, a friend of my parents (who wasn't a writer) told me to study the top five books on the best-seller list and try to replicate they did—which meant making a product, a widget, out of writing. I always say that if I wanted to make a product, I would have gone into business, but I don't really want to make a product. I want to express something, even if I'm the only one who cares about.
I admire the woman you met at the bookstore (although I hope she overcomes her self-doubt), and I admire you for recognizing the role of the creative spirit and how monetization can affect that. It's certainly a balancing act, and something to reckon with, if you want to publish and sell your art.
Wow, I cannot express how much this resonated for me! There’s such an elegant truth here. Just create. Create because it’s worthy just to create. Maybe you sell it, maybe you don’t, but you and the world around you will be better for doing it.
I love it when two of my worlds collide! I’ve been a huge Vanessa Zoltan fan since I discovered the Harry Potter and the sacred text podcast about 6 or 7 years ago! So glad you have both been in touch and I hope you’ll go on one of her podcasts another day 😍
I've always told my students that in a capitalist society, where every act and every person is monetized, and the propulsive force is to consume, to create is a revolutionary act.
That's so great you tell them that, Nina. I think we humble (or often too humble) writers need to elevate our stories to that level.
I attended a gathering of writers a local bookstore hosted last week and met a woman who has written three books, none published. She hasn’t even tried to publish them, because self-doubt, but also, because, as she says, that’s not why she writes.
I was a maker in the early days of Etsy and was selling my handmade goods at local craft shows and after several years I took a hard look at myself and realized I wasn’t enjoying the creation part of my art anymore - it was all about “how can I monetize this?”
What I’m trying to say is you and Vanessa are 100% correct. Making/creating/writing *are* all valuable just for the act of it. ❤️ And that Miller person sounds deeply unhappy.
Thanks so much for your comment, Laurie. When I first became a writer, a friend of my parents (who wasn't a writer) told me to study the top five books on the best-seller list and try to replicate they did—which meant making a product, a widget, out of writing. I always say that if I wanted to make a product, I would have gone into business, but I don't really want to make a product. I want to express something, even if I'm the only one who cares about.
I admire the woman you met at the bookstore (although I hope she overcomes her self-doubt), and I admire you for recognizing the role of the creative spirit and how monetization can affect that. It's certainly a balancing act, and something to reckon with, if you want to publish and sell your art.
Wow, I cannot express how much this resonated for me! There’s such an elegant truth here. Just create. Create because it’s worthy just to create. Maybe you sell it, maybe you don’t, but you and the world around you will be better for doing it.
Thank you for this, Grant!
I love it when two of my worlds collide! I’ve been a huge Vanessa Zoltan fan since I discovered the Harry Potter and the sacred text podcast about 6 or 7 years ago! So glad you have both been in touch and I hope you’ll go on one of her podcasts another day 😍
I loved meeting her! She's brilliant, wise, funny, and generous—and sacred!
Thank you for sharing, absolutely agree!!