Starving Writer
“Nobody wants a writer until he is dead.”
This platform serves the needs of an array of writers. Some are interested in money-making strategies and how to improve their writing style and techniques. Some are professional writers seeking other avenues to share their gifts. Some write for therapy. Others are interested in developing thousands of followers. Still, others are looking for shortcuts to becoming a top-tier writer.
You are familiar with the term “starving artist,” which refers to an artist who sacrifices material success to focus on their art or one who has yet to meet material success. I’m a starving writer/artist by choice. I did not join Medium for professional or material success.
I am thrilled when an article is curated and chosen for further distribution.
One of my goals as a retiree was to be free of anything that resembled work or a job. Multiple income streams give me the freedom to pursue passions.
Writing is a hobby, something that gives me joy. Others share this sentiment.
Some research suggests that transforming hobbies into work could undermine your enjoyment of these activities, as your interest gets sapped by the pursuit of external rewards like compensation. This may be particularly true for creative passions, such as writing, painting, or music. Harvard Business Review, June 6, 2021
I have stories to tell, life lessons, and experiences to share that may add value or a new perspective to the lives of those who decide to read my pieces. Medium provides a broader exposure to my writings than Facebook, a blog, or a personal website.
Writing is an outlet. Thoughts continually roam through my mind. Writing frees my mind for new ideas and helps me to maintain some degree of mental acuity.
In addition to sharing life lessons, writing provides an opportunity for repurposing at this station in my life. For example, much of my ancestral history is not known. My great grandfather was born in Virginia in 1830. Was he a slave? I do not know. Neither do I know much about my grandfather, who was born in 1869. Through memoirs, I am ending this drought in written history.
Some individuals paint as an outlet or hobby during their career or at the end of their career. Celebrity examples include Former President George W. Bush, Singer/Songwriter Paul McCarthy, Actor Billy D. Williams.
I am not an artist in the traditional sense.
Writing is my art form. Each piece is like a work of art where the computer keyboard and Word are my canvas.
I am in my element when a novel rhythmic phase serendipitously evolves from my feeble mind to add a hook to a story. It’s akin to a singer hitting a difficult note or a basketball player hitting a game-winning three-pointer.
An example is in the piece below where I wrote, “In my mind, prostate cancer would transform me from being thought of as healthy and virile to weak and sterile.”
Based on my earnings over the last year ($0.00), it is a good thing that writing is a hobby and not a retirement income stream.
Thank you for reading this piece.