Hi Andrew, would you happen to know if there are any support groups for dads who worry about these things? I've had similar worries and very much connected with this. : )
I turn 43 in a few weeks and I started writing full-time as a passion project at 38. I had the luxury of financial security and success in my previous lives, so I was always able to approach my work with fearlessness.
Ironically, your work suffers when it's the only thing in your life. If I never sell my novel, I'm still a dad, a husband, a loyal friend, and a writer through and through.
It's sad that so many artists like yourself fall into the trap of chasing. The goal cannot be social status. The goal also cannot be some internal purity. But artists can't learn this because there are so few mentors.
The only reason I ever cared if my work made money is because that means I buy more time to work on the next piece. It's the only thing that matters when trying to live a sustainable life as an artist - the time you have to dedicate to your work. I'm happy that you have found a way to galvanize that time more effectively. It's too bad mentorship is so lacking that the wisdom had to come from your children. But then again, children are excellent teachers.
Hi Andrew, would you happen to know if there are any support groups for dads who worry about these things? I've had similar worries and very much connected with this. : )
Had this one bookmarked. Good stuff.
I turn 43 in a few weeks and I started writing full-time as a passion project at 38. I had the luxury of financial security and success in my previous lives, so I was always able to approach my work with fearlessness.
Ironically, your work suffers when it's the only thing in your life. If I never sell my novel, I'm still a dad, a husband, a loyal friend, and a writer through and through.
love this man. powerful reflections. i've been thinking a lot about kids lately, and this is one of the many straws currently bending the camels back
It's sad that so many artists like yourself fall into the trap of chasing. The goal cannot be social status. The goal also cannot be some internal purity. But artists can't learn this because there are so few mentors.
The only reason I ever cared if my work made money is because that means I buy more time to work on the next piece. It's the only thing that matters when trying to live a sustainable life as an artist - the time you have to dedicate to your work. I'm happy that you have found a way to galvanize that time more effectively. It's too bad mentorship is so lacking that the wisdom had to come from your children. But then again, children are excellent teachers.