There is something that I’ve been meaning to talk about for awhile that I keep putting off. It’s probably obvious if you take a look at the rest of my site, and the question that I imagine you’re asking is one that I ask myself all the time.
With all these hand written articles and all of these messages about writing and writing books specifically… when am I going to do that?
The thing that I often see new creators do (and I say this with no disrespect, I’ve done it myself over and over) is promise new content, put out a piece or two or maybe nothing at all and then disappear for weeks or months. If you don’t create publicly yourself you might be wondering why your favorite small creators behave like this. I know it’s frustrating. I’ve been frustrated with the content creators I watch over it, and I’ve been frustrated with myself over it. I’m not all knowing, or even that observant so it took me time to recognize this behavior and longer to understand why it was happening. I’d like to tell you why I think this happens. Before I get into it, I do feel the need to make it clear I don’t speak for everyone, or really anyone else. My findings are based exclusively on my own observations and experiences.
I’m going to break this examination into two separate parts: the promise of content and the lack of follow through.
When I was younger I spent a sizable span of time in religious institutions typical of the southern United States. One of the methods taught to us was that if we felt unsatisfied with self-flagellation we could always get additional shame to keep our souls in line with an “accountability partner”. The idea behind this was that you could tell each other what sins you had committed that week and feel not only your own guilt but your buddies condemnation. Baptists don’t believe in confession with a priest, but your best friend who’s into the same flavor of damnation as you are is more than acceptable. I’m getting off topic.
On paper it’s a legitimate concept. If you’d like to work towards a specific goal, tell someone that is working on the same goal as you and you can urge each other forward. I think that this comprises about half of the issue. Creators are trying to keep themselves in line so to speak by making a public promise and then thinking they will adhere to it. I don’t think that is the entirety of the issue, however.
Bearing the last point in mind, I wonder if in some way after falling into the cycle for so long that their posts explaining why they had been on hiatus and promising new content becomes a form of content to them.
I don’t say any of this with any kind of judgement. After all, I’ve done it too. At one point I maintained a Deviantart account that was pretty much entirely comprised of promises to actually make something to put on it.
So, when will I have something really fun to look at/read and enjoy? I honestly don’t know. I feel like. I’m inching toward having something done, but I’ve felt that way for the last decade and have little to show for it. You know, I keep hitting obstacles in life. I keep telling myself that I just have to make it through this tough part and afterward things will be better. I will feel better, and I’ll have more time and energy to work on what I’d like to. Once I do accomplish something, I think it will cause something of a snowball effect. I’ve thought quite a bit about it and I don’t think humans live best going through life only consuming the ideas and content around them. I think we feel better, gain confidence and learn when we make something and put a piece of ourselves out into the world. Traditional art isn’t the only way to go about this either. Anything you work on with your heart in it can do this. I am hoping when I am able to put my work out here like I would like to, I’m going to feel better and things will become better for me.
That being said, I’m going to keep working. I will give updates to my projects but when I do they will be regarding a solid objective success along the road.
Thanks for reading.
The Cluttered Library 