I am a nobody who writes books and illustrates the covers. My work languishes in obscurity. It shall most likely fade away, unnoticed into oblivion.
I am frustrated by my inability to achieve fame and fortune. I am disheartened by the disinterest in my work. I do feel as if I am striving in vain.
Do you draw or paint or sculpt? Do you write poems or novels? Do you sing or dance? Do you write music? In other words: ARE YOU AN ARTIST?
I turn my daydreams into words and pictures. It is my art
to do so. My thoughts and feelings are clarified by the effort. By bothering to
articulate what I imagine, I refine it. By turning it into product, I can share
it. I have inspired people, though very few.
Is there a point to my pointless toil? Am I achieving anything by my relentless failure? Do I have anything to show for what remains unnoticed?
I am an artist for better or worse. That I even bother must count for something... otherwise it is best to be feckless.
Can we really know what affect our work will have? Some seeds will fall by the wayside, others on shallow ground, and there are those that land among the weeds. Very few will take root and bear fruit.
ReplyDeleteH.P. Lovecraft died a failure. He was poor and his work languished in obscurity. He had fans, but very few, mostly other writers. I am in his situation. He inspired many things that became classics in their own right... but he did not live to see it.
DeleteWhy are you measuring your success on the attentions of the human race? That's so silly. Not even one person bought "Death of Olympus." I read it to my friends and they liked it, and that was cool. I still love the story though, and I am happy that I was able to share it with myself and the Lord. Just be happy you made something you like.
ReplyDeleteI still do my best. My every book is the best I can make it. I'll never lessen my efforts.
Delete