Art is Risky

A recent conversation with my writer-friend ☕ KimBoo York brought to the surface the reason some of us hold back from going “all in” on writing as our career, even when we state that as our aspiration. It was an aha moment that’s especially true for me.

Art is dangerous. Art is risky.

Even if you’ve never dreamed of being a full-time writer or other type of artist, this belief may still have affected you in some way. Many cultures buy into the idea of the “starving artist,” that it’s impossible to have a fruitful and abundant life as an artist of any kind. It’s safer to be an accountant, a teacher, a grocery store clerk… any of the thousands of traditional jobs that give us a regular paycheck, that give us the illusion of security.

Although I have first-hand experience of how insecure a well-paying corporate job can be, the belief that art is risky is so deeply ingrained in me that I have never (to date) fully attempted to live up to my aspiration.

However, I feel an unexpected excitement these days about the ways the writing/publishing industry is transforming (some say imploding). The two routes of traditional publishing and self-publishing are no longer our only options. We have more opportunities than ever before to release our work into the world, to engage with readers, and to design prosperous, fulfilling lives as professional creators.

Is it easy? Hell, no.

But neither is waiting on pins and needles to hear whether the new owners will eliminate your job while they relentlessly work you 60 hours a week.

Neither is having your shifts cut for lack of business, affecting your income and your mental health because you’re worried about feeding your child.

Neither is having the powers-that-be institute new rules that hinder you from effectively doing the job they hired you for while never updating the parameters they use to evaluate your performance (and salary increase potential)… under the old rules.

You tell me which is more dangerous and risky.

The starving artist, the crazy artist, the alcoholic, drug-abusing artist. These are bu!!sh*t characterizations that have killed the creativity and undone the dreams of many an aspiring writer, actor, painter, dancer, etc. Think of all the wonderous art we’ve missed.

Prompt: What has been your experience related to the attitude that art (of any kind) is risky (professionally or otherwise)? How has this experience and attitude affected you? Does it still affect you? Do you buy into the belief? Have you bucked or rebuked this attitude in any way?