Welcome back to another installment of Artistry With Words. I hope this installment finds you productive and energetic, and I wish you well as you go about your day.
Times are tough right now for this writer financially. The money is not flowing in on a regular basis; just one of those down times when one starts to question whether writing is all it’s cracked up to be. Bills need to be paid, and that naturally leads to thoughts of working part time or full time to meet obligations. I could substitute teach this fall to make some extra income, and that of course would take me away from writing, and that of course means a delay of my long-range plans.
Then I think of all the greats who came before me, and the struggles they had to endure to continue writing. Many waited tables in cafes, and took extra jobs just to get by. Many lived in poverty while they wrote, and many died poor never having realized financial security from their writing.
I guess the best way to describe what feeds me is to call it a passion, and thank God I have a partner in Bev who encourages me to continue and does not let money worries deter her from encouraging me. We are a team, and we will either make it as a team or we will fail as a team, but we are united in our belief that I should be writing….that I need to be writing. We have, in effect, bet it all on my writing abilities. No pressure there for goodness sake. LOL
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”
Marie Curie
Often times, during these down times, my thoughts go back to my father. He had no dreams, or if he did have any they were not known by those of us who he called family. His job was to support his family, and I suspect that any dreams he had dried up during the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. He grew up understanding that a man works hard, dreams little, and goes forward one step at a time.
I admire that way of thinking and the work ethic involved, but I can’t give up my dreams, and I hope that you don’t give up on yours either.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
Ah hell, I don’t feel like telling you about contests today. LOL….oh wait, my friend Sha wants me to include Writer’s Relief, so here it is. Check it out….great ideas for submissions.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
I almost forgot this…glad I didn’t. Have fun with it.
SITE OF THE DAY
Hey, I met a new writer yesterday and thought I would share her with you. Well, she isn’t a new writer, but she is new to me. Her name is Randee and here is her blog. I like what I’ve seen so far and I think you will too.
THAT’S ALL, FOLKS
Seriously, I have to figure some things out, so that’s all you get. I hope you have a great day my friends…make sure you have a dream….and then make sure you follow it.
As with all things in life, this too shall pass, and brighter days will visit us. J
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Loved this post today Bill, so personal and honest. I take solace in the knowledge that we all struggle and applaud you for pursuing your dream even when the going gets tough. Blessings on your day and hoping abundance comes knocking at your door.
Thunder, good to see you again. Thank you for your thoughts….our time is coming; we just have to be receptive and recognize it when it arrives.
Boy, can I relate to today’s blog! I’m in a valley myself right now. I’m struggling with trying to earn a living and needing to branch out. It’s becoming overwhelming. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m expecting too much too soon. I’ve only been at this full-time for 10 months and I think I’m pushing myself and my expectations so hard that it’s causing me to backslide. Gotta get my perspective back to a realistic point and spend some time with each step before moving on. You (I) can’t build a platform with pavers that don’t create solid ground. I’m a bit comforted in knowing I’m not alone!
Sha, I know the feeling…that’s why it is so important that writers share their thoughts with each other…this is a lonely gig and we need support.
you are so NOT alone, my friend!
If it’s not solid ground, may as well not even bother..
HUGSXX
Hugs to you too, Leslie, and a touch of American love thrown in for good measure. 🙂
You totally speak the truth here Bill and will say that as much of a struggle as it is, it truly is a way of life and I do really love to write. So for me at this point I just keep plugging away and hoping that I someday do make a dent even if it is a small one. Thanks as always for speaking so candidly and again hoping this day is being good to you so far!!
Janine, I’m looking forward to making a dent. In truth I’ve come a long way in a short time, but I’m never satisfied, and maybe that is a good thing. 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts on this matter.
This past year has been a struggle. I have never before in my life struggled so much financially – it’s an awful feeling. That led to me going back to teaching and then, I realized how much I actually missed it. I still plan to write and plan to do art, but…funny how life has plans for you that you don’t even realize. It’s been incredible to see the journeys fellow writers have taken. My best friend from college challenged me to edit my memoir and send it to her for her birthday in April. I don’t turn down challenges like that, lol. So…graduate degrees aside, full time teaching in my future, and a very-much-alive passion for painting, we’re plowing forward. Times will get better; but financial struggles are truly awful. Those struggles I’ve had have only renewed my passion in being a champion for the poor. Some how, some way, I’m going to do that.
A champion of the poor…well, Cyndi, you have some experience. 🙂 Being a writer gives us a perspective regarding financial struggles.
Thanks and good luck to you my friend.
Wow, I am honored to have my name appear in your blog, Bill, and for my site to be just a click away from yours. Though I have written two books for teachers over the past decade, I am a newbie with nontechnical writing. So far, it’s been addicting. And I love the networking that goes on here at WordPress.It’s nice to already have a friend. Thank you.
It’s my pleasure, Randee…I like helping other writers. Hey, I was a teacher for eighteen years….anyway, it’s always nice to have new friends and I was glad to mention you and give you a shout out. Have a great day!
Awesome post, Bill.
Today I published a blog about Will-power and how much it is needed in our daily lives. 🙂
What a co-incidence 🙂
Happy Thursday!
Indeed, Ruchira. Again, great minds thinking alike. 🙂 Thank you and have a great day.
Mahalo for your honesty. I admire your bravery in putting both feet into your writing. I’ve got one foot in writing, and the other in working outside the home. If it’s any consolation, I’ve talked to many who are having a “long hot summer” financially. Don’t give up and don’t stop writing…PLEASE. Aloha, Stephanie
Hi Stephanie!
I have no intention of giving up. It’s not in my DNA. 🙂 Thank you for the kind words of friendship. I just need to find a new path that will actually pay for the type of writing I do. I know it’s out there; I just have to find it.
Aloha my friend
bill
Butt . . .
I can’t sneak anything by you, Lizzy. 🙂
Sigh…maybe all of us writers are a bunch of buffalo butts! I’m so sorry for your struggles Bill. Please know you are not alone. I too must consider re-entering the work force, but – it ain’t happening until AFTER this book is written…lol
Passion – pfft! Is it really all it’s cracked up to be? Kinda like intelligence? Ya know?
i see merit in your father’s methodology, as well..
in the mean time – WRITE ON Bill – and thank goodness for BEV!
Leslie, your last sentence was the best…thank goodness for the support system I have….sigh…..well, it’s another day of writing so it must be a good day, right? Right!
love you
Ummmm….what’s up with the prompt picture of the day, LOL!! Fun for Friday, I love it! Bill, I agree with you 100%. It is bloody hard to be a writer these days. There’s just so much competition. I think if I had kids out the house I would have stuck it out full-time. But since we are seriously wanting to start a family within the next couple of years, it was time to be realistic, but NOT give up on my writing dreams. I’m just grateful I have the job I’ve wanted for a long time – actually doing what I’m good at and something I WANT to do, and not having a silly admin job for the sake of earning a salary and having it destroy my soul. I admire the way you keep going, and especially the inspiration you give. It’s encouraging! Happy weekend my friend 🙂
Mel, there are times I’m so clueless…I didn’t know you had plans for a family….I am so excited for you, and what a wonderful parent you will be.
As for this writing gig, it is maddening and scary and challenging and at times hopeless….and it is my passion. 🙂 I am doomed. LOL
Have a great weekend!
bill