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Jul.2,2012Happy Independence Day!
Image from michellehenry.fr
No, you don’t have to check your calendars. It isn’t the 4th of July today. I’m wishing you an early Happy Independence Day because the 4th happens to fall on a Wednesday, which is dedicated to my Wednesday Writers Workspace Series, and which I’ve already promised to blogging buddy Bish Denham.
While the United States celebrates its birthday, its independence from Great Britain, I ponder on what independence means for me as a writer.
The creative path is never easy, and the road to publication one of the hardest to travel on. Some writers gain success in a short time, but most writers will tell you that it took them years to get to where they are. Writers give up many comforts in order to follow a dream—one based on the strength of their will and the power of their imagination.
While writing is often a solitary task, it is never an independent one. Writers often have to lean on others while they struggle to get published. Time, money and encouragement are necessary elements in a writing career, and writers always find themselves in need of one or all of them.
Every writer aims for independence. I know I do.
I’d like to wake up at the hour I choose and walk ten feet to get to the office, and get paid well to do something I love. Instead, I drive 20 miles in traffic to go to work, and get paid peanuts for a job I really don’t enjoy.
I’d like to be free of financial worries. I daydream of a day when I don’t have to worry about money and being able to pay for my necessities. I often find myself having to choose between paying the bills and attending a helpful conference. Luckily, I have generous friends who come to my rescue.
Sometimes I get impatient, and I long to get to the end of the road. I just want to get published and I want to be financially independent so I can repay all the people who’ve helped me so much. But I know it takes time to craft a story, much more to come up with one that other people would be willing to pay for.
And I know that I cannot rush the creative process, because I do not want to disregard the most important freedom I have–the freedom to express myself.
Every writer aims for independence, but even after they get published, and even after they earn enough money to quit their jobs, they will still need to depend on other people for support. They’ll need to rely on loved ones to help them out with things when they’re short on time and to keep them sane through the rollercoaster ride that is their career.
American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson once said, “It’s easy to be independent when you’ve got money. But to be independent when you haven’t got a thing — that’s the Lord’s test.”
When I remember that I don’t have a book to my name, or money to pay the bills, it’s easy to forget the truth about writing and independence.
Writing allows me a freedom that money cannot buy. It enables me to create universes, bring to life characters, make up my own rules, and play God with words. Writing allows me to share my life story using my own voice or someone else’s. Writing allows me to be anyone, to assume another’s identity, to disguise events in my life and change them so that my story has a happy ending.
Whether I succeed as an author or not, my writing dream is one I’d never give up, because I know the truth:
As a writer, I am independent in a way that other people can never be.
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Hello Nut!
It was interesting how you paralled Independance Day with our freedom as writers. And I so love creating a good story. It’s my therapy.
Great stuff – I love this post. Despite being a Brit!
Powerful post, Nutschell. In many ways writing makes me feel free. I also appreciate that Mahalia Jackson quote. Happy 4th of July.
Great perspective! Freedom is so important – we’re lucky to live in countries that celebrate that!
I loved that you said writing is solitary, but not independent. That is so true!
I loved this post Jay. You are so right. We are free in the writing world. It is a great feeling to express yourself and even better if you can make money doing it. I hope to break even or gain a little money over the next year.
Well said, Nutschell. You’ve expressed the views of many writers, I think.
Well said! We all strive for a certain degree of independence, but it’s a joy to know we aren’t completely alone. The support system among writers is phenomenal.
Yes! Writing is a vital part of my existence, one I treasure for its independence of thought.
Great post – a freedom money can’t buy, so true. And I feel so lucky to have my writing!
Independence is a wonderful thing. I’m often impatient, too. I love writing. Love it. Don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t.
We tend to forget how fortunate we truly are to express ourselves through writing. Thanks for the reminder and meaningful messages.
Happy independence!
xoRobyn
At least you know why you have Independence Day. I only found out yesterday the meaning behind Canada Day. Guess I was sleeping in school when they covered it. Or I was living in the States, learning about how evil I was because I was English (I swear I was still being blamed for something that happens 100′s of years ago).
Great post. I wonder sometimes if traditional publication gives you the least independence. Provides you other things, but not independence.
Independence is indeed a great feeling, as is freedom. There’s really nothing like it. I wish you can experience those feelings sometime soon. However, many published writers — even successful ones — don’t make enough to live off only writing income. It’s a nice dream though.
I definitely agree that writing is never a solitary event. Great post!
I agree that writing gives you a freedom money can’t buy. Love this!
Very very true. Even when it’s tough, I remind myself how lucky I am to be a writer.
You work so hard! You have given me a lot to think about today, and this is a wonderful, thoughtful post. Hope that you have a great 4th.
Kathy M.
Enjoyed reading your posting. I have a small writing project I am working on, hoping to one day get there myself.
Have a safe Holiday!
I am very thankful for all my freedoms. I’d also love to have the freedom to walk to my desk and write rather than commute an hour to my paying job. I’ll be thankful to have a job for now and hope that someday my writing might be financially rewarding. It certainly is rewarding in other ways.
ABSOLUTELY!!!! Lovely tie-in!
Thank you for your motivation and positive energy and attitude!! So many rely on the encouragement they receive from people like you to continue their own passion for writing, myself included. Much appreciated!
Saw this success story and thought of you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_363365702_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000807551&nav_sdd=aps&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-B1&pf_rd_r=0EG1K14JA70BCWD7WK0T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1374771922&pf_rd_i=507846
Wonderful post. That last line is part of what makes writing so worthwhile for me and I’m so so glad I have this talent/hobby/spark/drive/ambition. All I need is pen and paper!