You're Still An Artist Even If You Haven't Been Picked By A Gate Keeper
The good news is that you can bypass those gate keepers. It takes hard work and some divergent thinking, but it’s possible.
I’m doing it with my writing.
I don’t want a traditional publisher for a few reasons (creative licence, topic choices and style). Beyond that, I get nervous at the prospect of the rejection cycle and working with others with my creative work.
Point is, over the last few years I’ve released a bunch of books, online classes, podcasts, meditations and other content and grown a following.
At the moment, I’m selling eight books a day and am making 15% of my goal income (to be able to live off my art).
All this whilst doing everything I can to share my work for free – if you like it, you will support it. I share these stats with you, not to brag, but to say it’s possible.
I’m not ‘there’ yet, wherever there is. No way close. But I am seeing growth.
More importantly, I am getting approval from the most important gate keepers out there: YOU!
So thank you for your continued support, messages and connection.
And importantly, if you have some art, be it books, music, film or traditional, I say that you should go for it. No matter what ‘the man’ says about it’s quality.
Keep going and you will be successful.
That really is all that it takes. Persistence is key, as well as the ability to detach from your work, evaluate it critically, and make adjustments. Work on it for a few years and success will come.
There is of course imposter syndrome to contend with, that is the thoughts of ‘who am I to make art?’ or ‘why makes me special enough to share my story?’ or ‘I am not good enough to make something worth while!’
The thing is, everyone faces those doubts. Those ‘successful’ artists that you so admire are themselves just people — many of who, at least initially, would have doubted themselves as you do.
But they persisted. They worked on their craft and they ‘made it’. True, some will have gone through the traditional gatekeepers of success, but many more didn’t.
Besides, if you wait for ‘approval’ before you really commit, you will never make it. Push for your art. Be brave. Explore the limits and go beyond them. Make something new — the world deserves the chance to here/see/consume whatever it is you are creating.
Currently I am working on ‘Lucidity’ — an ongoing epic fantasy series where dreams are connected. I am writing it and sharing it chapter by chapter both as a blog and podcast. I have big dreams for this project, but I am also terrified.
I am not sure if I will be able to pull it off.
I don’t know if it will be ‘good enough’ or if such a thing is even possible.
I don’t know how I will handle the inevitable criticisms it will receive.
I don’t know what it will end up becoming.
I don’t know if my writing ability, vision or scope is up to the task.
Basically I am afraid. I have resistance. But despite that, I will keep creating. For myself, for you and for the world.
I encourage you to do so as well!
If this post has resonated with you, I would love your support.
