I am at an odd stage in my life. My so-called careers are over. I am now in my 60's and it is perfectly okay to be "retired." When my parents retired, they didn't work anymore. Not so for me. I'm still writing. However, I have made so little money writing that I don't consider it a career, so I'm actually grateful I can say I'm retired and writing is my hobby.
That said, I still get into trouble comparing myself to other more "successful" authors. I still dream of being a traditionally published author selling lots of books. And I still need to write, whether or not my words get out there for others to see. My insecurities stifle my creativity. I need to constantly remind myself not to compare myself to anyone else. And if I stop dreaming, I might as well be dead.
Blessings,
Karen
Insecure Writers Support Group
Welcome to Following the Whispers blog
23 comments:
Hi Karen,just found your blog ,so I'm going to have a coffee and a read through. Keep on dreaming, it's what keeps us going.
Great post. I also wrote about comparisons. They're killers. We need to stop!
Play off the Page
We can't compare. We have to define our own success. If just one person it moved by what we wrote, then that's what matters.
So true. I have to remind myself of this one too. Always remember how far you have come and what you have accomplished. I forget that I am in place I had wished to be for a long time...and when I think of your life, that is another place I want to get to...retired, my story published, enjoying my hobbies. :-) Keep on dreamin!
So true with that last line, Karen!
If we were not dreamers we would have no reason to call ourselves writers.Be true to your own voice, don't worry about others. It is not fair to compare.
So don't stop dreaming, then. And the special joy is, at our age we have the freedom to to do so much more than we could decades ago. One dream not working for ya today? Try another.
Dreams are what count and there are so many possible ones to choose. Glad you've chosen writing and are sticking with it.
I've done more since not working.
I have moved a few times. Got to see Daniel O Donnell who helped me when I was greiving for my hisband and mother, read self help books and got through that dark tunnel.
Been to the US on numerous times and took up writing poetry with having two books published.
Also I have taken to blogging.
Yvonne./
Great post! Comparing yourself to others just gets you into trouble since all you can ever be is you!
-MJ http://creativelyspiltink.blogspot.com/
I'm visiting from the IWSG.
Think of it in this way, at this stage of your writing journey, you have so much more depth to offer because of more life-experiences... it puts you at an advantage of sorts...
Nice to meet you.
Hi Karen, I'm in my 60s too and I've made very little $$$ with my writing. Some time ago, I was in a bad place comparing myself to others. It was usually when I read book reviews and the trade magazines. Seemed like everybody and their kittens were selling books. Finally, I cancelled all subscriptions to those periodicals that just reviewed books, and I started writing, writing, writing. Forget what everyone else is doing and chase those dreams as hard and fast and as passionately as you can. After all, isn't it the chase that's the most fun? :)
Great post..glad to have found you through the #IWSG links. I'll be getting Medicare this year and writing is my new hobby! ;-)
You sound like you're in a great spot though, although tired. Maybe the trip coming up will give you a much needed recharge!
Enjoy some time for yourself and your hubby. Isn't that what retirement is all about?
Heather
Great post, especially that last line. :)
Never stop dreaming. I consider you as a successful writer. For me, you are blessed with words.Keep the writing.
I 'retired' at 40 when I had my last baby. I don't think it's an easy thing to not be productive after years of being busy and useful and paid. Don't compare yourself. You never know what someone else's life is like anyway. Just make your life the best you can for you.
I don't even try to keep up with my most successful writerly friends. They're all overachievers (and much younger). :D
How about this: have a cuppa with the character of your novel, maybe more than one of them. Discuss this concern with them and ask for their advice. Then LISTEN. Although writing is optional, it may be most powerful if you have a journal handy for recording the Q&A session.
If you try this, let us know how it goes.
So sorry I couldn't comment on these wonderful thoughts you've left - I was off singing yesterday.
Cassam, I don't plan to stop dreaming any time soon.
Mary, yes, they are.
Diane, I have to keep reminding myself that if one person is moved, I'm successful. Thanks.
Tracy Jo, you are so on the right path.
Alex, thanks
Siv, love that "be true to your own voice." Thanks.
Susan, don't plan to stop any time soon.
Cleem, thank you for those kind words
Yvonne, your journey is inspiring.
MJ - all you can ever be is you - brilliant!!!
Michelle, hmmm, that's true, I suppose.
Jess, good for you!
Donna, what a wonderful hobby to begin in retirement. Good luck!
Heather, yes, I do think it's just exhaustion. And yes, that is what retirement is all about. But for hubby, it's vacation, he's not retired yet!
Kela, thanks so much
Bindurhani, thank you so much
Tonja, being a mom is not retired - it's the hardest work there is.
Patricia, yes, younger!!!
Sharon, so nice to see you - it's been awhile. Thanks for this. I'll see where I'm at after our vacation.
Karen
Hi Karen .. relax into it as you are into retirement .. then probably those wonder days of publication will rock around to you ..
Keep on dreaming but acting towards that dream .. have a great time away .. and plan and dream while away .. cheers Hilary
I have a hard time with this too, Karen, and remind myself the same thing.
Never stop dreaming!
Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog
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