Not a day without a line

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

There is a well-established opinion that people of creative professions, as a rule, are slovens, helpless in everyday life, terribly disorganized, selfish, irresponsible, extremely vulnerable and touchy. Such a stereotype has developed, something like a scientist, as he is portrayed in comedies - a shaggy guy in socks of different colors, an eccentric and melancholic.

If you seriously understand, then everyone in love with their profession is a creative person. That is, a little out of this world and may well fall into the list of the above-described characters. And this is not yet a reason to suspect him of egocentrism or everyday incapacity. Usually the actors are accused of this, poets, writers, journalists, and the public, whether it be spectators or readers, speak with affection about the shortcomings of their favorites, and the latter with enthusiasm come up with more and more new vices. It's trendy now.

One lady who recently made a name for herself in journalism,"

"My wife knows about children!" - said another pop figure. I, they say, have more important things to do! I was so jarred by this point of view that this article arose.

Another reason for its creation was the phrase of my friend and colleague: "These are businessmen and businesswoman making a career! And you and I are creating and suffering!" It was said in a strong drunkenness and with a great deal of self-irony, but many of our writers' brotherhood think so. The rest, they say, plow without a sparkle in their eyes and enthusiasm, and we, a select few, are engaged in art. I don’t know, I’m not sure, and I can only answer for myself.

My diploma says - literary slave, and this should mean that I am in eternal literary slavery, my shackles and chains, joy and pride - this is the Russian language. But if I begin to sit and admire my diploma, which to some extent confirms my right to be chosen, if I call myself a writer and demand the same from others, I will not start writing better from this, and they will not start publishing my articles and books. more intense.

However, some fellow writers think differently. These unrecognized geniuses are taking publishing houses and writers' unions by storm, carrying in front of them all kinds of letters of recommendation, diplomas, reviews of eminent acquaintances. Of course, getting into the staff of a popular magazine is much easier with someone's patronage, but sooner or later the boss will be interested directly in your work, and not in the list of high-ranking friends. The golden mean is the best option when you yourself are worth something, and someone is behind you. If something of this is not enough, it does not matter either, the main thing is to set a certain goal for yourself.

At one time, I got a lot of jabs in the back just because I "stooped" to publish a love story. My fellow students believed that it was impossible to make a name in this boulevard, and the fee for the book was considered something like a donation. At that time they themselves wrote intensively "on the table", for posterity and future recognition of their own genius. And they disdained so-called dirty work.

A similar opinion about the creation of various "love stories" was found in more serious circles. For example, an elderly aunt, editing my next book, coquettishly asked: "Maybe I should also become a writer? There is something to tell about!" - and she mysteriously rolled her eyes, expecting detailed questions. Nobody asked her, she was offended and declared: "Just kidding, of course, I will never stoop to that!"

The part-time job in the field of journalism also caused a squeamish grimace on the faces of literary workers. "Join the ranks of these hackers, these strawberry hunters ?!" - many of them were indignant, and similar snobbery was encountered not only on the part of the elderly, but also among my peers. The young guys were ready to blame the whole world for not printing their opuses, and sit with their legs raised, waiting for the lucky star.

Alas, from experience I know that stars, happy and not so, never fall on our heads just like that. First, you need to properly smoke the sky, shatter the firmament. And creativity is still, in my opinion, the same career - there are ups and downs, and sudden successes, and terrible intrigues. A well-known principle works here - first you work for a name, then it works for you!

And yet the main defining word is work! You can, of course, wait for inspiration or squeeze a line per hour, but then, in general, why all this? As Masha Arbatova wrote: "If it is given so hard, why suffer?" I absolutely agree - creativity is only then creativity, if a person gets pleasure from it. And from the process, and from the result, and the muse has absolutely nothing to do with it. In the end, no one canceled the law of conservation of energy - if you create, spend your strength, nerves, talent, give a piece of your soul, then it will definitely return. As green banknotes or enthusiastic applause, but in any case, there will be a return. The main thing is not to lose heart and work.

I know that I can write and even bring joy to some people, and it can be hard for me to sit down at the table, and very often there are no words or even thoughts. But if you think about it … if you use your imagination … and put in a little effort, just a little. A phrase, another, a whole paragraph, and now you can't lift your head from the computer. It seems like doing what you love is the easiest thing to do, but when the torment of creativity, when they don't print for years, when different part-time jobs, like side children, it's scary. And all this is only at your will, you yourself decide what is possible, what is shameful, where is the line, crossing which you cease to be a creator and become just a draft horse. Not an artisan, because an artisan sounds proud, he is a man of business, a professional, even if he has no zest, no imagination. For me, it is even better to be a graphomaniac (by the way, there is nothing shameful, judging by the literal translation, there is no such thing - a fan of writing is not a maniac, not a paparazzi, or even an amateur) than a lazy person with great opportunities and talents. For me, it is better to make a living doing what you love, and not wait until your financial situation allows you, until your children grow up or your husband puts up with it.

Creativity is not a hobby, it is a lifestyle, and whatever it is expressed in, be it journalism or cross-stitching, the main thing here is perseverance and hard work. A wave of success, perhaps, will pick you up, your name will sound throughout the country, you will become famous, your career will be envied …

However, in a month or two they will forget. If you are ready for this, go ahead and with the song, wait for the tailwind! Otherwise - work, creaking your heart, drenched in sweat, rubbing your palms with satisfaction. "Not a day without a line!", As they say, "the soul must work!" Different authors, different genres, but the meaning is unshakable - what goes around comes around.