Protect Your Heart Or Lose Your Art

I was maybe three books into my career, after many years of struggle. At a fannish party in Woodland Hills I drifted from group to group listening for interesting conversations. Came across a group of three young writers trying to break into the field. They complained about rejecting editors, unsympathetic agents, and Hollywood’s sealed doors.

I slipped into the conversation, and did my usual spiel about goals, and motivation, and focus, and organization over time. They looked at me with pitying near-contempt, and one said “oh. That’s easy for YOU to say, up in your ivory tower.”

I…didn’t really know what to say, just mumbled an apology and slipped away.

Sheesh.

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Ah…I hate to say it, but I have to say that this problem could be seen as improper balance of the different “Child” and “Adult” . aspects of the personality.

The “Child” is the creative self. The “Adult” is the manager, agent, promoter. Works in the adult world of money and power.

The “Child” simply creates things that touch her heart. Beautiful little gifts of love and creativity. This is the part that dances in the living room for Mom and Dad and the cousins and uncles and aunts, while they applaud and give kisses and cookies. This womb of love and creativity is wonderful. If you ever lacked it, you might well seek it hungrily for the rest of your life.

1. The “child” has the enthusiasm, and core creative…