I talk a lot about the prevailing attitude of ego and self-esteem as I’ve observed in the past couple of decades of hanging out with other writers. Anger and envy run rampant, regardless of success levels. There’s always someone who’s doing better than you, always someone you want to be.
Looking inside, as I’ve mentioned before, is the best way to deal with a lot of these issues. Focus on improving instead of comparing. There’s a thing only you can do the best–learn to do it well.
But also…
Let go.
That anger, that rage, that nagging little critic that makes you want to either go all out on yourself or others…accept that it exists, and then let it go. Vindictive, petty behaviour will not improve your craft. Talking bad about another writer will not increase your sales. Worse, these things mess with your brain and fuck with you and your craft.
An attitude of love and acceptance is the best thing you can do for your shit. Some of the best writers and artists throughout history have embraced this. Van Gogh?
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”
Ironic I’d quote Van Gogh while talking about a healthy state of mind. And yet…and yet, maybe the secret is in the struggle to maintain sanity, despite everything. Because hate and rage and envy, making little petty remarks about other writers’ works that aren’t based on facts, trying to ruin someone else’s career so you can feel better about your own…these won’t help you. Maybe they’ll make you feel better for a moment, but they’ll add up and weigh you down where you need it the most.
As an artist, the world is already against you. You are going to struggle for recognition your whole life and sometimes you’ll fail. You need to keep a clear head, and an open heart if you want to move to a point where you are working on your craft for the sake of it, and nothing else. Because that’s when you unlock your true potential.
But then again, I’ve been called idealistic. And a rambling mess. Take from this what you will.
