The Wolf Pirate Project

Writing is a passion for me that has no basis in anything I've done in the past or through encouragment by my parents. Although I love them, I wasn't directed in this course. They view it as a waste of time, effort, and money. I hate to admit it, but they're right. In terms of a career, writing will rarely make anyone money or bring them success. Only the luckiest of writers--a fraction of a handful of them--will ever be able to live solely off their writing. And of those, only a smidgen those writers will experience success from writing what they love, not what they've been hired to write about.

A true writer doesn't care about money, success, or what critics have to say about their work. Everyone has their opinion. A fancy degree from an astute university does not give a person any more license to say what is better writing than the next person. Of course, someone with a background in English may be able to say the writing is flawless or riddled with grammatical errors and typos, but does that disqualify the content as having value? Maybe. Depending on what the writing is supposed to entail.

I write because I love to. I do it in my spare time. I don't get hung up on what people think about it or how successful my stories will be. I don't expect them to make money or to achieve great academic acclaim. I enjoy overstepping the bounds. If that means I'll wallow in the cellar of literary disappointment, so be it. I still feel fulfilled by writing what I have. I feel that my stories have merit, and if no one agrees, then they have exercised their opinion. I have my own opinion about some of the more recognized writers on the market myself. Some, I like; others, I don't. However, I don't go ga-ga over any of them. I believe they've found their niche in success not simply from good writing, but from being in the right place at the right time, getting up on the right side of the bed, knowing someone in the business, living a charmed life, whatever; call it what you will. No one achieves public success simply because they're a good writer. If that was the case, there would be thousands of accomplished writers on the best seller's list.

It is a well-known fact in the literary community that oodles of good writers never see success. The same is true for musicians, dancers, artists, actors, and even mechanics. Every field has excellent achievers, yet many are never recognized for their efforts. Every office has employees who shine in performance but are never credited for their work. This is the way of the world. It is a sad state of affairs, but inevitable. A shame, but c'est la vie.

My point--my advice--is to disregard what others say about you. Excel at what you do and take enjoyment from it. Place little emphasis on other people's opinions. If you write, do so because it gives you pleasure. If you dance, do so for the same reason. Or if you are musically or artistically inclined. To hell with achieving outside success. Be happy with your accomplishments. Most people who criticize do so because they want to look better themselves. They feel threatened by other people who excel in their field. Even the most celebrated author is in that position only because his fans and marketing have put him on a pedestal. He still puts his pants on the same as everyone else.