Comments on: A Creative Living?

By: Mitch Morrill

Mitch Morrill — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:48:40 +0000

After reading all this (and comments) I find that as a writer/traveler/musician that the thing we reach for we never really catch. It continues to move. Actually we attain the earlier goal but are constantly lookin above it and don’t realize we attained the earlier goal. This is true of playin an instrument. I learned this working with a lead guitar player, who I thought was so accomplished, so expressive, so in control of his tone. I found it unbelievable he was not satisfied, EVER! Only years later in retrospect did I realize that he never would be truly satisfied, thank God!
In regard to living life, as a creative, I think Laren’s comment of balance is true. For four years I played solo gigs up and down the east coast full time, which I booked, promoted, etc. myself and played 4-5 nights a week. Mind you singing and playing guitar for an hour is the most exhausting activity I know. I always looked forward to playing but lost some of the passion during that time. When I regrouped and worked various jobs, while playing on the weekends, the passion returned with a vengance. Now I paint houses with a friend (a drummer) in the summer and play the weekends. In the winter I’m back to 4-5 nites a week. The spring seems to come in time to save me from the dreaded passion loss. Yeah ist’s an ever moving thing.

By: A Creative Living (Version 2.0): The Man (hat on) Tour « My Wandering Days

A Creative Living (Version 2.0): The Man (hat on) Tour « My Wandering Days — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:24:53 +0000

[...] it is, maybe it isn’t (see my post on this here). But this isn’t about “making it” as an artist, necessarily (though it certainly could [...]

By: Meagan

Meagan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:33:41 +0000

I just wrote a much longer response, but decided to shorten it to get to the point.

I was an actress in LA for the last 8 years. I took a job in casting to learn the other side of the business, as well as pursue my dreams.

It taught me that to take a job that wasn’t just easy and paid the bills actually helped motivate me in other areas, kept my mind constantly thinking and introduced me to people who could help steer me in the right direction for my career. Plus, it kept me in the forefront of the industry. People were now coming to me for favors.

So, maybe a job in editing or publishing? Just an idea…

By: aliteralgirl

aliteralgirl — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 11:48:50 +0000

Thanks for comments!

Brennig–I agree with your idea of carving out my own niche. I suppose it wouldn’t be an original way of life if somebody else had already done it before, in the exact same way. We all have different interests and skills, and the best way to utilize them is to convince people that what they need is precisely what we have to offer.

LV–Am excited to hear how you get on. You’ve gone and done what so many of us dream of (and, on bad days, talk of quite seriously); it sounds scary, but potentially amazing. Good luck!

Tom–Am definitely pursuing both possibilities at the moment. I think open-mindedness at this point is key. And I like the energy thing–definitely worth remembering, especially when I’m tempted to throw in the towel behind the excuse of weariness! And perhaps we should go into business together, under the auspices of Xander’s baby, Has Legs…!

By: Tom Greeves

Tom Greeves — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:32:12 +0000

I too will let you know if I find a way – and as a fellow writer/researcher with a background in politics I wonder if we should go into business together!

One of the best bits of advice that Dad has ever given me is that energy isn’t like exactly like time, where the more you spend the less you have. This truth explains why you got nothing done when you were unemployed and why Oxford University athletes often get better than average grades, despite their massive training schedules. I too thrive on all fronts when I am busy, and have an appalling time when I’m not.

I must say that there is a lot to be said for a regular paycheck. Far from stifling creativity, I think it would liberate mine right now. I’d accept that the hours of 9-5 were not my own, and would give little or no thought to the job outside of that time.

By contrast, having to look for work on a regular basis is incredibly draining and irritating. For example, I am typing this in a library, and even though I am fundamentally gentle and he is about 6’7, a part of me wants to punch the bloke next to me in the face, because he is talking with utter abandon. That feeling is in no small part explained by my ongoing stress about not having a regular income.

The flip side is that once you’ve built a freelance empire, you are much more secure than with a salaried job. And a job working with or for horrid people is ghastly.

So why not do what I am doing – i.e. pursue both possibilities at the same time? Look out for good freelance and good salaried opportunities, and see what looks like a good fit.

And make time for your brilliant writing no matter how knackered / busy you are, because in due course you WILL be doing that on a full-time, highly successful basis.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:33:23 +0000

I’ll let you know how I do it, when I figure it out. So far, I have successfully quit my job and am making some money writing about interesting things, but it’s not quite enough for comfortable living. Maybe finding a part-time job that doesn’t suck (working at a cheese store has always been my fantasy) is the answer. I know this – the level of Hell I was in working full time for people and a place I hated, while trying to write, is something I will never put myself through again. Never put my *boyfriend* through again. It’s all about finding balance.

By: Brennig

Brennig — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:36:35 +0000

I have a slightly different view. Paying the essential bills (food, heat, light, rent) and not worrying about bouncing cheques is a given, not a luxury. Luxury is buying new clothes, papers, books, music, booze, fags and all other non-essentials.

Yes, I think it’s possible to pay the essentials in a non-mainstream role. But one probably has to work at it to carve the niche out in the first place – otherwise how are one’s employers supposed to know about the services that one provides!