This is Part 6, a series of reflections on Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way.
Wealth of the Artist
This turned out to be an easy week. Which I desperately needed since I was going through some health issues. Did I need wealth and money? Oh no, no, I just wanted to feel healthy again.
I’ve always been meticulous about budgeting.
I use the Mint app to track my spending and keep myself from going overboard, or just being able to pay my rent when I quit my day job a few years back.
Now I’m settled in a job in Seattle, which pays well, but, of course, takes away time from my art and writing. This is a tradeoff, but it’s exactly where I want to be at the moment. Would I like another chance to write full-time? Yes, of course, but I also don’t expect it to happen anytime soon again. This may be the wrong attitude for the Artist’s Way.
What is wealth to an artist? Can we be fulfilled as an artist without needing more money? Can we go on artist dates without costing lost of money, like the opera? Do I really need to go to the opera? Maybe I can just make little puppets and play along as I listen to a recording…
Um… hold on.
I’ll be right back.
Money Money Money and the Artist
Do I write for the money? To sell books? To make it my living? Is the number of sales the measure of my success as an artist and self-published writer? I don’t have definitive answers for these. I could purposely choose a trendy, known genre (sexy vampires, anyone? Or a school academy story? A multiverse romance?) And write in a catchy style, quick and easy to read. Do you change how to write in order to make it more marketable? It’s a quandary. These are philosophical, ethical and personal questions I must ask myself. (If you want a deeper dive. There’s an excellent article by Jane Schoenbrun for Filmmaker magazine which discusses filmmaking and commercialization, and the political ethical dilemmas involved. We can discuss it in the comments!) But, if I consider this practically, as an artist, if only one person buys my book in three months, does that mean I give up writing the next one? No.
Instead, I get on with the writing. I’m already focused on the story and puzzling over the narrative twists and turns and my love for the characters. First most, I strive to write the best book I can. I’ll work on selling them later, I tell myself.
How to sell more books
If only I was better at marketing, at social media, at networking and putting my book out there. (I am on Pinterest most often and could update my Goodreads more often. Maybe write actual reviews. They are the least intrusive social media, and allow you to be mostly invisible.)
If only I did advertising and mail chimp and had a pop-up to offer a free book to get newsletter subscribers. (I hate pop ups, they are so disruptive. When I reach a point where I am giving away a book, then it will be discreetly on the side somewhere. No pop ups. I use an ad blocker for a reason.)
If only I told more people about my writing, like coworkers and roommates and neighbors and church members. Word of mouth. (But it’s not immediately in my mind to talk about it when I am in these places. I am there for other reasons. But still.)
There. Three different strategies to make more money. Where is my to-do list? I’ll get to it… right after I finish my illustrations for the week, my freelancing project, my artist date and write chapter 25 of my book.
The Artist Way’s is teaching me about priorities and how to be creative despite the fears, because I don’t think those really go away. Following the Artist’s way has been delightful, challenging, difficult and wonderful. It’s gotten me moving, writing more, encouraged me, comforted me, given me confidence in who I am. It’s created hope and a sense of ease. I have so much I want to do, and this abundance of ideas overwhelms me. In a good way.
Actual check in, week six:
Morning pages: Every day, except for the morning I felt really sick. Then I slept in.
Artist Date: Opera puppet show. I drew the characters for the Magic Flute and the opening scenes — very quickly, sketchy and without any design plan or vision. Then I listened to my favorite songs from the opera. Here they are for your enjoyment.
Moments of synchronicity: I needed a doctor’s appointment right away, and I got it. But I also keep hoping for something big to happen. Imaging if one of my prayers came true, but more importantly, I’m looking for unexpected answers, and not dismissing good fortune as too good to be true.
Other breakthroughs or significant insights: Despite feeling ill for several days, I stayed positive — when I could have been really depressed about what was happening. I think following the Artist’s Way helped me recover faster. I was more at peace, even if my tummy was upset.
Have you ever worked while being sick or in pain? Did you regret it later? Why do we do that to ourselves? Do artists need money just to create their art? Or does the money come later – if at all? Share your thoughts in the comments below