Today I'm calling all of you creative types and asking you to share what keeps you motivated.
Whether you're a writer, musician, actor, artist, jewelry maker, craft maker, baker, whatever- what keeps you going?
Having a creative dream isn't easy, we often aren't paid for the "Journeyman" level work we do, and even past that level most of us won't be making enough to survive on. Friends don't always understand what you're going through, they don't realize (for writers) that no, you can't just slap a bunch of words together and call it a book (ok, you can- but it's not going to be anything anyone aside from those who love you enough to lie to your face would want to read ;)).
Creative works take time. A movie lasts a few hours, but takes years to make. A CD could be listened to fairly quickly, but could have taken a year or more to craft. Books are read with varying speed, but never as slow as it takes to write them.
And your friends, family, loved ones, pets--don't always get that.
The industry for creative ventures is small and often brutal- spitting out victims in huge numbers.
Yet some folks muster on.
So, I'm asking folks what keeps you going?
Marie Andreas, you asked the best question! For me staying creative requires a constant focus. Every week day I need to plan a scene and write it. Monthly I attend my local OCC-RWA meeting which where we have speakers. Hearing how top authors craft their books is a huge incentive. As you wrote so wisely, "creative works take time." My goal at present is to finish an 80,000 word book to pitch at the California Dreamin' Conference in March.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathleen! I like the planning out what scene you'll be doing that week- great idea to give yourself focus! And I agree, meeting with other writers really helps :). Attending my monthly RWASD meetings is often the kick in the bootay I need :).
DeleteThank you for coming by and sharing!
I have a similar goal to Kathleen. Maybe we could be writing buddies. I find it helps if someone else is checking up on me.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Jackie! I hope both of you make your goals for March- hmmm, maybe our chapters should set up something aiming towards the March conference? ;)
DeleteThanks for coming by!
Various things keep me going at different times, but being in a critique group that meets everyweek helps a great deal. Sometimes, when I don't feel like writing, the commitment to have something to read is a good motivator.
ReplyDeleteThat would get me moving for sure! Knowing the looks you'd get if you showed up empty handed? Yea- that would do it!
DeleteThanks for coming by!
I'm going to be honest and say that I can't always find the motivation. Living in the boonies doesn't help. There just isn't much in the way of support around here. I've looked for local writers groups to join (read within a two hour drive one way). If they're out there, I can't find them. It's up to me to get the words down as best I can. I'm a writer so what else can I do but write?
ReplyDeleteWell, dang Sharon :(. I know you've tried some online groups- maybe there's another one out there? The only other suggestion I can think of would be going to more writer's conferences- way more (I know, nothing near by- that's what you get for living in the beautiful wilderness! ;)). But it might be worth a concentrated "This year I'm hitting conferences!" run and try to meet as many like minded folks as possible. You might be able to build an online crit group that way?
DeleteThanks for coming by. And KEEP WRITING!!!
Being motivated is hard. Not writing is harder. I love conferences and writer's groups. Nothing revs me up more than being with other writers!
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, Leigh- there's definitely a rush from being around other writers and talking about writing :)
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!
Motivation comes and goes but I write at least 10 minutes everyday. Also RWA, online workshops, and participating in a group blog keeps me motivated.
ReplyDeleteI like that 10 minutes a day, Echo Ishii. I bet it usually turns into more than that, right?
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting!