Sometimes it takes the right messenger for the words to sink in. Right now I'm listening to Rolf Potts.
His recent posts on Vagablogging.net are more than inspiring. Rolf is a living example of how to be a successful travel writer.
People, he’s handing out free advice. All you have to do is have an open ear.
Getting Started With Travel Writing
So, where’s my open ear? I don’t know. I’ve been under considerable scrutiny for not writing more. Or at all. For leaving my ideas as just ideas. For namebuilding when I should be writing. For helping others when I should be helping myself.
Though my posse means well, I end up hearing that I’m not good enough, before I register that their nudging is out of love.
Earlier this year someone suggested that maybe I wasn’t meant to be a writer. This was in the context of my abilities and inclination to marketing being greater than my desire and ability to write. At first I was offended, but maybe there is some truth in it…
Do I have the ability to practice what I preach to other writers? Do I have the discipline to read 20 let alone 5 books while preparing to write my book? Do I really care about writing that much? I know that I care about people far more than the written word. Whether it is coming from my pen or someone else’s. I know that I would much rather spend an hour laughing and talking with a friend than I would writing in a journal.
These questions won’t get resolved over night. Following my own advice, and that of Rolf’s won’t happen over night. The only thing I do know is that the ideas will keep coming. Incessantly like they always have. I have more than I can handle, and I will continue to share them. Bear with me.
Good questions raised here Jen. Of course, either path you choose will be fine….making the choice is possible the difficult part.
Two quotes come to mind. In context of your post, I can’t imagine them being anything but a backdoor, slightly dogmatic approach to commenting. Tonight, however, (anticipated) relevance wins over (slight) dogma. Both are from Hesse, both from _Demian_:
“I realize today that nothing in the world is more distasteful to a man than
to take the path that leads to himself.”
&
“Examine a person closely enough and you know more about him than he does
himself.”
I agree with the “good questions” comment — doesn’t awareness of truth and feeling put you ahead of the game?
“For helping others when I should be helping myself.”
Better that way than the converse — it will swing back-around. Cosmic balance.
Blog bashful, but I’ll post a comment anyway.
Thanks for getting into the comments part of the blog TQ. Your quotes definitely give me something to chew on.
I think the first Hesse quote is a continuation of what you put up on your blog post “World Blog On” about the Harper’s Article.
https://ycabw.tqed.com/2003_06_15_archive.html#105575403089846490
“Cristina Nehring’s very recent Harper’s Magazine article, “Our Essays Ourselves” (Harper’s, May 2003) which severely questions the autobiographical banality of the modern essay. ”
I hadn’t know about this essay, and because of your blog I want to read it. That is what I find to be beautiful about blogging. Sharing information. Sure, some of it can be personal journal stuff. But I stand by the notion that people can learn from each other’s mistakes, and be inspired by each other’s accomplishments. And even vice versa.
Welcome to blogging TQ. I look forward to checking in with yours.
Do what feels good and right for you. Along the way, you’ll find your niche. Focus on that and fly.