Patience is a virtue
I can name a few occasions where people have thought less of themselves because of the success of others, more specifically “I should’ve done this much by now!”
Fellow artists… success does not come overnight.
Steven Spielberg didn’t make Jaws until 1975 … he was 29.
J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t publish The Hobbit until 1937, and then only by convenient circumstances and decades of effort … he was 45.
If you’re stopping to think that you’ve got a few years to catch up with these guys, how about this one?
The Beatles. Shea Stadium. 1965. Not far out of their teens and with years of preceding success to boot.
We all have potential to be successful in our chosen art, but it always has and always will be a gamble. What matters is to keep your expectations low and your esteem high. Don’t degrade yourself because others aren’t noticing your work, simply rejoice that you’re doing what you love.
Will you draw a profit someday? Maybe. Should it matter? Not in the slightest. Work at your own pace, and be happy you’re around to do it.
-Tori Domay
Your Work Area
Every writer or artist needs a good area to work.
Here is one of my workstations:
Here I can draw, write, compose music, edit films, you name it. However, 70% of the time when I’m writing, I’m usually out of the house. Living with loud parents can sometimes become very distracting.
One of the most important aspects of writing is your work area. You need a space where you can forget about the world, or shut it out for a few hours. Sometimes shutting out the world, can even mean a trip to a busy food court, or a coffee shop. I can write just fine with strangers passing by, but for some reason I can’t write when I’m around people I know. It’s freaking impossible.
You need to find a space, or create a space that’s just for you. I do this both physically and mentally. Call it your ‘happy place’ or whatever, but sitting down, closing my eyes, and getting into that ‘place’ is one of the best ways to start a writing session.
So stop what you’re doing, and create a work area for yourself. You can brandish it with personal items, or things that are important to you. Make it comfortable, because you and that spot are going to be together for a long time…
