Quote of the Day: Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. Galatians 6:4-5 The Message
Love this quote, and it seems like a good one to use on another round of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group which happens on the first Wednesday of every month, created and supported by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Please, click over to his blog to connect with other insecure writers, or join the club. It’s a chance to commiserate with other creatives.
While on our Wild West motorcycle ride this summer, I felt drawn to the dead trees. Big, old trees stand out, stark and bare, amongst the greenery. The smaller branches that held the leaves are gone, the bark stripped and the core polished smooth from the wind. The trunk still looks so strong and the branches angle out and around. Nothing hides its inner beauty. I mentioned this in a post in October, and my sister Joy wrote in her comments: In Tarot The Tower is sometimes an image of a tree burning. Clearing out the old, making way for the new.Everything about that trip was a new journey for me. In the past five years, I have let go of old, hurtful relationships and rebuilt my life.
When I started blogging three years ago, I wanted my blog to be a source of light and inspiration. There is so much garbage out there, way too much negativity. I wanted to lift up what is beautiful and good and gives others hope and encouragement. I wondered who was supporting the arts, and decided I can be that voice as well.
So, I made it a point to write about performances and artists in my area. I started getting invited to theatres in the metro. It felt good to be noticed for my reviews and support of the arts. Now, I’m not so sure I’m doing the right thing. I share my reviews on the website of our local paper, for free. When I asked if they could pay me for my reviews, they said, No, we don’t have funds for an entertainment blog. And, that’s it. Just No. Not, no, and thank you, or good job, or we appreciate having your reviews here. My reviews have been shared on the internet by the theatres in the metro. My words are quoted in their advertisements and credit given to the paper!
Okay, I can accept that newspapers don’t have any money. They haven’t figured out how to adjust to the digital age where everyone reads online. They, like the book publishing houses, can’t afford to work with and pay new writers, so we have to come up with a new plan.
To add to my discouragement, I was at an event at the local college where I have attended and promoted their shows for several years. I have reviewed and encouraged people to attend plays. I talked to the head of the theatre department and he acted like he didn’t even know who I was. My friend pointed out that I reviewed two of the plays he’d had there in the past few months. I mentioned having them on the website of the local newspaper, then he was like, “Oh, yes, I have seen those.” Whatever. No Thank you. No invitations to shows. No connection that we could all work together in our community to support the arts.
Am I wasting my time doing all this reviewing? Should I be doing other work that leads to a more profitable future? Am I trying too hard to fit in?
There you go, my insecure post is filled with self-doubt.
Whatever your pursuit is today, may you be filled with courage and self-confidence. Jump into your art with a strong heart, believing that what you do does make a difference.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: Have you ever stopped doing something because you thought it was a waste of time and no one appreciated it anyway?
I love your blog and you do inspire and support with your blog. Great job.
I’m glad to hear that someone else is drawn to dead trees. hmm. I need to go think about this.
T
It does feel like a never-ending uphill climb to work in creative fields where so much material is given away free. Definitely feeling some of that discouragement myself trying to market a new book. Whatever happened to “the worker is worth his wages?”
I’m wondering if you ever considered setting up your own community blog to support the arts and accept paid advertising there–essentially making your own “publication” that would be a go-to source for arts and entertainment news for your region (defined as broadly as you can)? If the paper won’t pay and doesn’t value the arts, maybe it’s time to give them some competition, and earn your deserved wages too.
Oh, Mary.
First of all, I could not love your opening scripture more. You’re right, it’s a perfect opener to a post for IWSG, really and truly.
As to whether or not you’re wasting your time, I think most of us who are trying to get a low-profit, life-enhancing venture off the ground are always going to have a devil of a time at it. I’m so glad I read this post and, though I don’t know what to tell you in terms of what seems like the best way to approach these woes, what I can say is that we do things we believe in for as long as we can — as long as we’re ‘haunted’ by them, in a way (not to get too dramatic, but you know what I mean. Some things don’t leave us alone, even if they’re super challenging.) Of course, there is something to be said for periods of hard driving and periods of pulling back. Perhaps there is some wisdom in that? I don’t know.
Great post.
Yes, perfect quote.
Your blog is a positive place. Don’t think all of the work has been for nothing. You can’t pour this much good stuff into one thing and not see rewards one day. So neither the newspaper or theater appreciate you? Don’t quit because of them. We appreciate your efforts, and you never know when an opportune moment will come along and lead to something huge.
Do you enjoy doing these reviews? Then by all means continue, not for praise, not for pay, but for you.
Or you could copyright your reviews and then it would not be so easy for them to use your words.
Wonderful quote.
Here’s what Rumi has to say:
Be silent.
Dont look for fame.
Ride your horse into the souls rose garden instead.
I have a rose there waiting for you.
I don’t know if you can trust someone who doesn’t use apostrophes, but I like this quote. If your writing nourishes your soul, then you must continue to write, whether you’re getting paid or not.
Sometimes I think we don’t get the recognition from the places we’re expecting it; it surprisingly comes from elsewhere. Also, maybe writing those reviews was helping you hone your skills. I don’t know. I would continue to do it until it no longer serves a purpose for you. But don’t stop blogging! You’re appreciated here.
To send so much positivity and good vibes out into the universe and think that it’s lost somewhere along the line… never!
It’s a boomerang concept, and will return, in one form or the other, and when you least expect it too…
Bummer on the newspaper…but PLEASE, PLEASE don’t ever stop blogging reviews, etc…your words DO inspire and encourage, not to mention educate us who have never been exposed to the arts. Carry on my friend!!