August 01, 2001
A lot of people are curious as to how to financial make it if you chose to live out a dream or live your passion. For writing, there is no steady paycheque if you’re doing freelance work and especially if you’re just beginning. I will be published shortly, however, a couple of them are not paid jobs. It’s more for exposure and experience. Money, from my work, is definitely not rolling into the bank – yet.
I am, however, fortunate in that Chris’ income can support both he and I comfortably. Being with him means I can afford to have freelance writing my full time job. If I was on my own, however, I don’t think that would be possible because rent has to be paid, food has to be eaten, lights have to be on, and clothes have to be worn. That costs money. And if you’re living as a freelance artist with humble beginnings, that can be a problem.
For others who want to live artistically or follow some other dream, the fear of not having money can discourage them from ever living out their dream.
It shouldn’t.
Perhaps you can’t quit your “real job” right now and become a freelance artist at home, like I did. I understand. But you can still have the word artist somewhere in your title.
I was reminded of this by a fellow named Dai Giang. He is a true artist, a painter. His works have been written up in major magazines, he’s had showings of his art around the world. He’s well known and quite respected.
Art, however, isn’t his day job.
He works at the last company I worked for. A company that manufactures outdoor gear for backpackers. And Dai Giang works in the least artistic part of the company – the manufacturing floor. He makes the same things over and over with heavy machinery. He doesn’t create there, he doesn’t have anything inspiring around him, and he certainly isn’t an artist in there. He’s a manufacturer.
But when you see his art, you’d never know. When you see his art, you see his passion, you see his dreams, you see what he lives for. Manufacturing just pays the bills. That’s not who he is. Below is who he is:
In America especially, you are defined by your job. In America, you’re supposed to get the best job possible with a great paycheque and a nice title. That’s why people get sent to universities, so they can get an impressive job. They don’t get sent to learn, they get sent so they don’t have to be burger flippers. Because in America, if you’re a burger flipper, you must be young, or stupid, or a slacker. If, however, you work in a fancy office with men in suits, chances are you’ll get more respect and people will think you have brains. In America, your job defines you. And that kind of thing can have people feeling trapped.
At my last job, in the office world, I felt that defined who I was. In order for me to realise I define myself, I had to leave it. I couldn’t call myself a writer until I felt that’s what I was working at full time. Looking back, however, I realise I was a writer all along, and that no matter what else I choose to do, I will always be a writer first. I define me. I chose my title. Not some corporation or the general public.
I think, for me, taking the time off to write, to believe in it and feel comfortable with calling myself a writer, was what I needed. If I ever felt the need to work or volunteer outside the home (which, perhaps soon I will, I need to be around others and be busy) I won’t ever worry about losing myself as a writer. Because no matter what, that’s what I am, and always will be.
Elsewhere