The Creative Food Chain When did writing become more than a hobby for you? Has it? Or was it ever just a hobby? A hobby is a person’s escape, it is something they enjoy, it is their happy place. So it very well could be that writing brings all of those things to you. Here’s how to tell if it’s a hobby or something more. Spoiler alert: it shares something very important with your stories… What’s at stake? Hobbies don’t have stakes, they are pleasurable by design and if they were taken away from you, or you for some reason had to take a break (ie: you love to garden but can’t do it in the winter), you would find something else to pass the time and fill the void. A lot of people are writers by hobby, and that’s okay, just realize that and don’t expect anything more to come of your efforts than the pleasure it brings you. A lot of other people HAVE to write. It is their talent, their calling, it makes them irritable or even miserable if they can’t put in words what they want, when they want. They do it every spare chance they get – it’s right up there with breathing – a need so driven that they often forego the other necessities of life; food and sleep. This is the pinnacle of the creative food chain that artists of all kinds are driven by. If we are lucky we get paid for this talent and our life works in magical synergy. But realize that when your passion becomes your career, there are responsibilities that go along with it. You have fans to answer to, producers (no matter what your artistic vocation) and other stakeholders that will somehow be impacted by your creation. In other words, you have to share your gift with others and play nice. Synergy happens. But it rarely lasts (or lasts at a consistent level). The good news is, when your talent no longer generates a pay check, you still create – because you have to – it’s still part of your fiber – they can’t take it away from you. If you have a career in another unrelated field, ask yourself if you would still do it if the company closed tomorrow. If the answer is no, go get a job and quit the career. Something that pays the bills and allows you to live and breathe your talent. But if your creative passion is a hobby, keep your career and use the hobby as your escape from those pressures. May your Monday find you at the top of the creative food chain.
Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne
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I just noticed that this marks post #100 of these tips. Sometime this week, I will post links to ALL in one.
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Thank Laurie. I will print out all your articles, punch holed and read like a book :)
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My wife sees how miserable and irratible I can be when I can't write or stuck on a small bump in the road. This is all I think about and do from when I wake up until I go to bed at night. I can't think about doing anything else in life right now, don;t want to. Shall I break out the Moet for post 100 Laurie?
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Good for you, David. No Moet needed, just spend some quality time writing.
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It started out as a hobby and then I got some writing gigs and everything changed. It is no longer fun for me so I am not going to write anymore screenplays.
At least you recognize that, Dan. Many will slog along thinking that's part of the process and as a result they produce less than optimal work. I know for me, I get frustrated when the writing I have to do on other projects eats away at the writing of my own, I try not to let it happen, but sometimes it does and I just have to get through it and shift some things so that it won't happen again. I hope you find the creative outlet that is fun for you.
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Yeah, I'm with Dan M. You've created such a great series of "articles" here on Stage 32, Laurie. Perhaps you should consider publishing all these tips into some sort of book?—like a book of collected writings. I know I'd buy it! Lol! ;)
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Laurie. I think I produced quality work and made money doing so but I just don't like working for someone else.
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Great insight! Thanks for positing this. Interestingly enough, I find that when I write for the pure joy of it, such as short stories, it's much more enjoyable than writing for the purpose of trying to start a career and make money. Still, I love writing either way.
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Rayna. I agree. Money changes things.
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Great post, Laurie. I found writing late in life. Early in my childhood, I had problems with attention. It has only been since the advent of computers and word processing, that writing has taken on a whole new meaning of life. Early on, I didn't have the patience to carry a project to its conclusion. Today, If I'm not writing, something is missing. I'm not moving forward. Whether its is a hobby or a passion, perhaps I'll have to wait until my final chapter to decide. On one hand, I write for the pure pleasure of escape and the ability to explore and create a universe. On the other hand, I push, and strive to learn something new every day in order to perfect this craft and to fuel my newfound passion. I recently attended a seminar by Robert McKee. It was enlightening and life changing. My lifetime goal is to learn, grow and write to professional standards. Whether I get paid really doesn't matter. Finding this life's passion has been worth the price of admission to this incredible journey. However, I'm not adverse to being compensated. The idea of a big payday is not what motivates me to get out of the bed. I write because I have to, not writing isn't an option. As long as I have a brain, and the ability to make words on a screen, I'll be pecking away at a keyboard. Thanks again, Laurie. Your posts are always instructional and thought-provoking.