About Being Okay Insane

Post 1059:

It’s hard to write anything that stands apart or has any sort of original DNA. There’s a lot of people publishing or filming fiction of all genres these days. All of whom are trying to distinguish themselves, so how do you get ahead?

The short answer is, be insane and be okay with being insane.

The end.

Just kidding. But not really.

I’m talking about organizing your life around words and make-believe and the bits of truth that can be mined out of plot and story. The desire to entertain and astonish people with things that never happened has to be the biggest desire in your life. This is an insane quest, sure. And I’m not saying that good writing is more important than your kids and family, but doesn’t it have to be up there?

We’re not talking about the kind of writing that makes you a good enough living or brings home the bacon or even the kind that gets you a house in the hills. That’s money and recognition. You can’t really care about those things, either. I think we live in a time where fame and cash are seen as the point and not as a byproduct. In fact, it’s possible that fame and cash will only make you worse. They are distractions. Comfort and happiness can have a stifling effect on creativity. I’m talking being good. Not important.

I know. Insane, right?

Of course I could have it all wrong. It’s very possible. But before I finish I’d like to say that being an excellent writer capable of telling an awesome story is not important. It’s not as important as kids. It’s not as important as friends or family or dogs or much at all. It’s pretty stupid in the grand scheme. If I stop and think about it, I’m trying to be good at operating in a world that will never exist. It’s like being good at hitting a ball. Or kicking a ball. Or beating some drums with sticks. Silly stuff. Insane stuff. That’s the way it is. And I guess I’m okay with that.

Cheers and see you after.