Yeah. It’s my birthday. On vacation with my son too, which means no party. Not really sure what we’re going to do today. Would feel weird for me to buy a cake for myself, but we’ll see. Enjoy the memes!
I feel like one of the hardest parts of being any type of artist is retaining ones hope in getting noticed. Yes, I know many are going to rush to the comments to say that isn’t the point of making art. Maybe for them, but there is still a big faction who would like some type of recognition. It could be money, compliments, awards, a clap, or even a social media like. Most artists want some type of positive energy in order for them to feel like they are not wasting their time.
This makes sense to me, especially since this can be subconscious. An artist puts part of themselves into their creations. They work hard and use their free time to continue with what is typically a side project. Toiling for years without getting any positive feedback can crush the spirit. It can reach the point where they either quit or produce art with no soul because they are questioning themselves. Not entirely about talent, but about ones priorities.
Hope can be destroyed in an artist pretty easily too. Many think they are helping by taking on the role of ‘creative critic’. That’s in quotes because a person is really just tearing a piece of art apart with no positive feedback. I remember asking a person why they only mentioned the negative they felt towards my stories. They said it was because I could only improve if I knew what I was doing wrong. Figured I would already know the positives, but that isn’t what happened. Young artists especially end up doubting their entire purpose and dream.
People really do overlook the necessity of hope when it comes to building art. I think it’s more so today with social media allowing more criticism, A.I. being used more, and a sense that the audience pool has shrunk. With that last one, I mean there’s a sense that there are fewer people enjoying art outside of the mainstream. Those who can create the biggest social media presence will win the most attention even if they’re product isn’t as good as someone who can’t promote themselves. Kind of makes one wonder how many talented artists have been lost because they simply aren’t good at promoting themselves.
Another threat to hope is that there are many who set out to get others to quit. It’s different from the ‘creative critic’ who believes they are helping. These are people on the Internet whose goal is to hurt others. I’m pretty they’re still called Trolls, but this always feels worse than merely getting someone angry. Getting an artist to quit or at least leave the Internet is what they want. Trigger a fight that embarrasses the artist who comes off as unhinged and unable to take criticism. Not sure what drives a person to do something like this, but the shield of anonymity keeps them safe.
This is why giving an artist hope is so essential. Again, it doesn’t have to be money. It can be anything that makes them feel noticed in a good way. While this might not help them get sales or attention from others, it provides a boost of positive energy and confidence. It helps one avoid creating empty art born from them going through the motions solely because it’s ‘what they do’. I know I’ve had moments like that and have to toss entire chapter sections to try again later.
What do other people think about artists having hope?
It’s that time of year that bunnies lay chocolate eggs filled with jellybeans in the hopes that Jesus returns. Is that right? I really don’t understand most of these symbols.
This past week was a wild one because so much happened. It’s currently Spring Break though, which means resting. Going on a trip next weekend, but I’m taking the laptop to make sure I can do the goal post with a few pics. It’s a father/son trip, so we have a few outings set up. One of them is a surprise for him, so I’m not going to spill the beans in case he looks here. You never know.
I managed to finish the final outline for ‘Phi Beta Files’ last weekend. It was a relief because I knew things were going to get crazy. Still not sure how to fully explain Greek letters in Windemere, but I have a samurai, indoor plumbing, flying vehicles, and other things that aren’t pure medieval fantasy. Windemere may have started as a fantasy world like Middle Earth, but I really started adding onto it at times. So, it’s going to have some places that use magical items to create real world things like refrigerators and communicators. I’ve hinted that there’s a gateway to Earth too, but I’m still not sure if I’m fully invested in that. There are two stories that involve cross-dimensional travelers with one being part of the Great Cataclysm and the other being isolated. Guess I have time to figure stuff out.
Once Spring Break started, I began the outline for Darwin & the Deadland Queen. I couldn’t finish it in one day because we had family over. If the 5-year-old wants to play then you kind of have to. I did finish it yesterday since the original outline didn’t need a lot of tweaking like previous ones. Needed to check an associated story to make sure I didn’t kill off the wrong characters. This volume leads into the secret of the Fate Bracelet too, so I had to make notes about the cliffhanger ending. Frustrating part is that I don’t think it’s going to phase Darwin at all, so he’ll start Darwin & the Nightmare Lord going about his business. The plan there is for him to unwittingly foiling the bad guy’s actions and having no idea what’s going on until Act 2 or 3.
The current project for outlining and preparing is ‘Coven of the Gray’, which I can’t find my original notes for. Long ago, this was a group on Earth who gathered magical items and made sure evil people didn’t get them. It was inspired by ‘Hellboy’ and all these cartoons where heroes had to collect items like ‘Jackie Chan Adventures’ and ‘Shaolin Showdown’. That doesn’t work in Windemere. My current plan is to have the Coven be a group that either disappeared or were killed, which has caused an area to become cursed. The heroes will be searching for a way to undo the curse. I was going to do short stories, but I’m leaning towards duology. First book would be heroes searching for the Coven to revive them then . . . I don’t know if I want them to stop the Coven or the heroes become the Coven or whatever. Covens usually have 13 members, which is why I’m leaning towards them not being the heroes. Maybe a trilogy where they need to find a purification item then revive the Coven and then deal with the fallout?
All of that is for this weekend and next week though. I should be able to figure out the trilogy or duology issue at least. My brain needs distractions too . . . Now on to my goals of the week . . .
Oh, people my have noticed I mentioned court in the title. Without going into any details or explanations, I’m involved in a legal matter. I don’t feel comfortable talking about on a public forum. Still wondering if I should post about it on my ‘friends only’ Facebook page too. It’s tough keeping it secret, but it’s best for me not to talk about it in public until it’s over. Starting off Spring Break with a court appearance wasn’t something I expected back in January, but it is what it is. Needless to say, I’m looking for any distractions when I’m not so exhausted that I can barely crawl out of bed.
I know Passover caused a blip in the topic, but it’s a really personal one. So, there isn’t much else I can say. Can’t give tips to people about getting hobbies because everyone is different. So, let’s enjoy some questions.
This really does come off as a joke, right? Passover shows up on April Fools Day. I had work and my son had school too, so we’re getting home with maybe an hour to get ready for the sedar. Guess that’s just how it is this year, so I’ll roll with it. Enjoy the funnies while I brace myself for a period of no bread, which means no pizza, pasta, bagels, burgers, rice, and everything else.
Legends of Windemere 