Some time back, Artists and Illustrators magazine did an article about the painter Sir Peter Blake. He announced his retirement over a decade ago, but at the age of 78 he's actually very busy designing book jackets, jewelry, and having exhibitions. So what was that retirement about? He explained:
"I made a long list that said I'd retired from jealousy, from averice, ambition...All those things that are part of getting somewhere in the art world."
The article, written by Zena Alkayat, points out, "...Letting go of ambition, letting go of the need for recognition from your peers and letting go of the desire to sell your work at an impressive price is incredibly hard."
Here's the interesting thing: I've talked to a lot of aspiring writers over the years, and many of them had the same answer when I asked why they weren't actually writing (or finishing) anything. They said it's too hard to get published, or it's too hard to stand out in the marketplace, or it's too hard to make money from writing, or there are too many younger, better-looking writers who get all the media attention.
None of those is a barrier to sitting down and writing something from the heart. None of those stops you from growing and getting in touch with your own feelings, or from expressing what you want to say.
If you've let any of those supposed barriers get in your way, you may want to retire from making them part of your writing life. Get on with writing something. Don't worry whether it'll get on a best-seller list or get you on Oprah or whatever comes after Oprah. Don't worry whether it'll pay for a new house (of course, don't give up the day job, either.)
If those barriers are the things you really want--fame, fortune, acclaim--you may be better off trying something else. You could get a funny hairstyle and act manic and go on a talent show (worked for young twins Jedward, they're now worth a million or two). You could have nine children and get a reality show about you. You could start a website that shows nothing but weird fish (cats and dogs are already taken) with funny captions.
Otherwise, sit down and start writing.
(If you need some friendly guidance, get "Your Writing Coach," published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon and other booksellers.)
