Can you handle the long haul?

[sullivan_riyria]

Sorry about the silliness, but "the starving artist" is a cliche for a reason. Discovery doesn't happen because you want it to. It takes a combination of talent, drive and kismet. You may possess the talent and drive in abundance, but the magic bullet to success can be elusive.

I actually don't subscribe to the "it takes luck" philosophy. Luck can best be described as "being in the right place at the right time." But it's more than that because you have to be prepared to capitalize when the time is right. Thomas Jefferson said, "I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it." To me it's about producing quality product in abundance and having the perseverance to keep at it until the time is right.

I agree that it can be amazingly frustrating to believe in your talent and not see the rewards for your work (monetary, praise or whatever else drives you), but I also agree that the process in itself is a reward. If you are the rare individual that possesses the time and resources to choose a secondary vocation for a supplemental income (most people are overwhelmed by their primary vocation), why wouldn't you pick something that provided a modicum of pleasure in the process?

No question that the true reward comes from the work itself. My love of writing does not come from the money. I wrote for decades without making any money, and if I never signed another contract, nor had another reader buy my books I would still write - because it's what I love to do. Earning living doing so is a bonus but not the motivation.

[Laer Carroll]

I see from time to time claims that there are writers expecting "instant success." Personally I've never run into any.

Very true. Even most newbies know writing is a tough business.

Ah, but HOPING for instant success. Or wondering if it just might happen (too much for it to be healthy). I suspect those are very common.

[Gumboot]

I actually don't subscribe to the "it takes luck" philosophy. Luck can best be described as "being in the right place at the right time." But it's more than that because you have to be prepared to capitalize when the time is right.

I think, if anything, the ability to recognise and opportunity and take it is far, far more important than "luck". People are in the right place at the right time constantly, the problem is most of the time they don't realise it.

I have a good example from my own "day job" career in the film industry. I had a bit of experience but was wanting to move departments which meant a shift from well-paid commercials to lower-paid but longer running jobs in drama and TV.

I went for a job that didn't really offer me what I wanted, but at least got me into the drama world, but in the end turned it down because I felt I could earn more in commercials and didn't want to work Tuesday to Saturday (my new girlfriend at the time was working Monday to Friday).

That was a huge mistake; looking back now I realise it was exactly the opportunity I had been looking for, I just didn't recognise it for what it was. I would estimate that single bad decision slowed my career by at least 3 years.