Hoo boy we’ve been riding similar waves. And reaching similar shores too. There may not be a treasure chest of gold waiting for us, but look at view! ❤️
Troy, Bitter sweet piece. Love: “Art is not the answer to your prayers. Art is the prayer.” But what about those who cannot eat or afford to pay the rent? And if not done to earn a living, having the books it on the store shelf is at least as discouraging. When did writing become a second tier activity? Or has it always been. Have we been blinded by the likes of the few BEST SELLERS that get published, sold, celebrated? Sad situtation for finding truth, experience, confirmation, lessons, realizations, etc. through the printed (or digitized) word? Takes a strong person to feel good about knowing that if they have "helped one person, then I have served my purpose." All I can say is, KEEP ON KEEPING ON. Troy you are a talent and a love. You are insightful in your writing. Fondly, Michael
Thanks Michael - to your question, I suppose, we do what we must until we can do just what we like. You and I both had careers in other fields for many years before writing became our main squeeze. :)
Troy, I agree. I feel a little embarassed, or should I say maybe pretentious to say, to think that I have anything important to say but at the same time do believe in myself, and know from comments of others that my words matter. Is is wrong to be ambitious to want a larger audience for my truths? Is fiction any more or less important in the human experience than is non-fiction? I am priviledged to be able to write for the sake of writing. But there is something much larger and profound behind that desire to write, to share, which is parallel to something much larger in wanting to share one's experiences and insights into truth, and to hope that ones words will help to make the world a better place (trite but true), to correct wrongs, to defend those who need defense?
Hey, Mr. Ford! Thanks for the continuing motivation and inspiration! Thanks for introducing me to QStack/Substack and guiding me on my journey here. You are a gem!
I enjoyed this Troy. Perhaps it’s because I’m not chasing a dream of publication but instead simply writing to figure things out for myself, and from that perspective this actually makes all the sense in the world.
I'm glad, Tom - we may be in much the same situation that we don't need to make money from our art after careers in other fields, and so that "hope" is tempered with other benefits. Thanks for reading!
Taking off the financial pressure is huge, isn’t it? My wife—who is the real artist in the family—constantly sees the distortion that market pressures place on her younger artist friends. It’s always been hard to be an artist in a capitalist society, but to do so when AI is offering its own twists just makes it all the worse.
Ah, thank you Troy. I’m working on a post with similar themes and you’ve enriched my thinking with your wise words. This touched me especially: “You are never shouting into the void; you are listening to the very real voice of the universe, and offering your response to it in communion.” Measuring by commercial success alone cheapens the work.
This was beautiful, Troy. I have to say, it's been so moving to watch your journey the last few years. When we met, you were hiding your talent away, afraid to put yourself out there. You were one of the first writers on Substack to give me a chance, to read my book. And you were so genuine and supportive with your feedback. I will never forget that. Thank you for sharing this prayer. I don't think artists can hear it enough. I'm preordering Waterspout today! Can't wait to read it.
I remember that first call for readers for The Memory of My Shadow - and how impressed I was by the whole idea of serializing but especially by what you did with it, Ben. You inspired me to serialize Lamb. And you're right, I was terrified to put myself out there - thanks for the reminder of how being on Substack has opened up a whole world. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you're the Godfather of Substack Serialization. 🩵
It is so helpful sometimes to remind ourselves of what you so eloquently conveyed here — making the art is the true gift.
I’ve also found that making friends through making art, mostly with other artists, is its own unexpected and very welcome gift.
All of this comes together beautifully when one of your artist friends writes a wonderful piece about arts true gifts.
Thanks for being that friend, brother :)
Hoo boy we’ve been riding similar waves. And reaching similar shores too. There may not be a treasure chest of gold waiting for us, but look at view! ❤️
We really have! I find I have to consciously keep that view in mind because it's so often hidden by the skyline of capitalism... Thanks Kim 🩵
Troy, Bitter sweet piece. Love: “Art is not the answer to your prayers. Art is the prayer.” But what about those who cannot eat or afford to pay the rent? And if not done to earn a living, having the books it on the store shelf is at least as discouraging. When did writing become a second tier activity? Or has it always been. Have we been blinded by the likes of the few BEST SELLERS that get published, sold, celebrated? Sad situtation for finding truth, experience, confirmation, lessons, realizations, etc. through the printed (or digitized) word? Takes a strong person to feel good about knowing that if they have "helped one person, then I have served my purpose." All I can say is, KEEP ON KEEPING ON. Troy you are a talent and a love. You are insightful in your writing. Fondly, Michael
Thanks Michael - to your question, I suppose, we do what we must until we can do just what we like. You and I both had careers in other fields for many years before writing became our main squeeze. :)
Troy, I agree. I feel a little embarassed, or should I say maybe pretentious to say, to think that I have anything important to say but at the same time do believe in myself, and know from comments of others that my words matter. Is is wrong to be ambitious to want a larger audience for my truths? Is fiction any more or less important in the human experience than is non-fiction? I am priviledged to be able to write for the sake of writing. But there is something much larger and profound behind that desire to write, to share, which is parallel to something much larger in wanting to share one's experiences and insights into truth, and to hope that ones words will help to make the world a better place (trite but true), to correct wrongs, to defend those who need defense?
Hey, Mr. Ford! Thanks for the continuing motivation and inspiration! Thanks for introducing me to QStack/Substack and guiding me on my journey here. You are a gem!
Thanks Wyatt - you're a sweetheart and I'm glad to help. 🙂
Thank you for sharing
Thank YOU for reading, Christine.
No problem at all💯💗✍🏾☕️
I enjoyed this Troy. Perhaps it’s because I’m not chasing a dream of publication but instead simply writing to figure things out for myself, and from that perspective this actually makes all the sense in the world.
I'm glad, Tom - we may be in much the same situation that we don't need to make money from our art after careers in other fields, and so that "hope" is tempered with other benefits. Thanks for reading!
Taking off the financial pressure is huge, isn’t it? My wife—who is the real artist in the family—constantly sees the distortion that market pressures place on her younger artist friends. It’s always been hard to be an artist in a capitalist society, but to do so when AI is offering its own twists just makes it all the worse.
It's quite a trap we're laying for ourselves - all the more important to keep doing what we can.
Ah, thank you Troy. I’m working on a post with similar themes and you’ve enriched my thinking with your wise words. This touched me especially: “You are never shouting into the void; you are listening to the very real voice of the universe, and offering your response to it in communion.” Measuring by commercial success alone cheapens the work.
You know I think a lot of people have been grappling with this lately, it was time to take a stand. I can't wait to read your take! Thanks Julie!
This was beautiful, Troy. I have to say, it's been so moving to watch your journey the last few years. When we met, you were hiding your talent away, afraid to put yourself out there. You were one of the first writers on Substack to give me a chance, to read my book. And you were so genuine and supportive with your feedback. I will never forget that. Thank you for sharing this prayer. I don't think artists can hear it enough. I'm preordering Waterspout today! Can't wait to read it.
I remember that first call for readers for The Memory of My Shadow - and how impressed I was by the whole idea of serializing but especially by what you did with it, Ben. You inspired me to serialize Lamb. And you're right, I was terrified to put myself out there - thanks for the reminder of how being on Substack has opened up a whole world. I've said it before and I'll say it again: you're the Godfather of Substack Serialization. 🩵
Amen.
And hallelujah! :)