I spoke with a group of WoP students about this concept a few weeks ago. Not only does the supporter of the person decline if they are not a supporter of the art, but they might be the wrong audience entirely. In the early days, we send our work to our family and friends, only to find out that comes with its own set of complexities. Being the newly energized writer on the block is as challenging as it is exciting.
I’m 6 months in and the very first thing I ever published is still my “Top” article ever because of the initial outpouring of support. I’ve certainly written things since that I consider “better” but enthusiasm wanes. Soooo I definitely feel this one
Thanks for making that distinction about supporting you vs the work. Most people in the family are completely uninterested in what I write or even when I share my dream of authoring a cookbook . My husband can’t wrap his head around why I wrote so much for free. So it helps to know it’s not just happening to me
Love this! And also when I read, "What they decided was that they needed a new latrine for the school." I laughed and laughed and then I read it out loud to my sister and she laughed too. I don't know if that was the purpose, but the metaphor as a whole was so apt here.
This was awesome Charlie. Definitely resonates with my experience. Everyone is so excited at the start but within weeks, even my best friends stopped reading my work.
It takes a long time to find people who support your writing.
Been there, Charlie. We’re all different, but creative freedom's always been the important aspect for me, and I identify with your “I don’t want to do the conventional thing. I want to follow my own advice and do the weirdest thing that feels right.” Instinct’s a very good means of finding a ‘voice.’ Just let it find its own audience. It will.
Looking back, the overall thing that stands out is how difficult it was to combine children and domestic demands with a rush of sudden (inconvenient!) inspiration. Virginia Woolf had the right of it: 'A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write.' It's not only women who're under pressure now; men are, too. The family and friends who support one’s writing aren’t so keen when they’re hungry. Woolf had domestic staff in 1929; her stream of consciousness wasn’t hamstrung by having to think about cooking the dinner!
I spoke with a group of WoP students about this concept a few weeks ago. Not only does the supporter of the person decline if they are not a supporter of the art, but they might be the wrong audience entirely. In the early days, we send our work to our family and friends, only to find out that comes with its own set of complexities. Being the newly energized writer on the block is as challenging as it is exciting.
Love this Charlie!
I’m 6 months in and the very first thing I ever published is still my “Top” article ever because of the initial outpouring of support. I’ve certainly written things since that I consider “better” but enthusiasm wanes. Soooo I definitely feel this one
Thanks for making that distinction about supporting you vs the work. Most people in the family are completely uninterested in what I write or even when I share my dream of authoring a cookbook . My husband can’t wrap his head around why I wrote so much for free. So it helps to know it’s not just happening to me
"Unfortunately, for most people, the people who support you are not always the people who support your art."
As someone just starting out, this was a profound insight. Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you made it through the dip.
Love this! And also when I read, "What they decided was that they needed a new latrine for the school." I laughed and laughed and then I read it out loud to my sister and she laughed too. I don't know if that was the purpose, but the metaphor as a whole was so apt here.
...you are kicking ass...looking forward to your fiction and all the truths that lie therein...
This was awesome Charlie. Definitely resonates with my experience. Everyone is so excited at the start but within weeks, even my best friends stopped reading my work.
It takes a long time to find people who support your writing.
Thank for you for writing & sharing :)
This is incredibly accurate. Great piece man.
Families and friends ...
Been there, Charlie. We’re all different, but creative freedom's always been the important aspect for me, and I identify with your “I don’t want to do the conventional thing. I want to follow my own advice and do the weirdest thing that feels right.” Instinct’s a very good means of finding a ‘voice.’ Just let it find its own audience. It will.
Looking back, the overall thing that stands out is how difficult it was to combine children and domestic demands with a rush of sudden (inconvenient!) inspiration. Virginia Woolf had the right of it: 'A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write.' It's not only women who're under pressure now; men are, too. The family and friends who support one’s writing aren’t so keen when they’re hungry. Woolf had domestic staff in 1929; her stream of consciousness wasn’t hamstrung by having to think about cooking the dinner!