Stuff worth reading

“A Letter to Aspiring-Writer-Me from Debut-Novelist-Me” by Natalia Sylvester

Looking back, the moments you’re most proud of won’t be your big successes; they’ll be your biggest failures, and the fact that you kept going in spite of them.

Your book may be your whole world, but to the whole world it is a book.

“On Marriage :: A Year Later” by Lisa Congdon

I will do everything in my power to protect this person from pain, comfort this person in her grief, love this person with every bone of my body, honor this person in every way possible, and to be absolutely truthful to this person.

“For Love or Money (And If You Do It Right, BOTH): Choosing a Career in Art” by Greg Ruth

Value what you do, and fight for its value. If you don’t do this then how can anyone else? Don’t wait hidden in some ancient cave like a treasure to be discovered one day, get out there and make yourself present and get discovered. That said, you don’t need to be a dumbass about it. There is a tangible difference between ego and self-worth. Fighting for a better page rate reasonably is different than refusing to do a book tour unless you get a limo. Being an artist is a natural declaration of hubris, and you will be reminded of this by friends and family more than you’d like. Don’t take it too seriously, but don’t undervalue it either. It matters because it matters to you — it doesn’t need to matter to a million others to have value.


6 responses to “Stuff worth reading”

  1. Melissa Avatar

    3 great thoughts on the annivesary of my wedding, the launch of my Writing Circles business, and the recent decision to pursue an art I love over a job I might be good at, but doesn’t light me up. Great timing Kristan, you’ve hit the big ideas on the head here today. Thanks!

    1. Kristan Avatar

      I’m so glad that these were all so relevant to you! Congrats on your anniversary, and good luck with your new business endeavors!

      1. Melissa Avatar

        Thanks! Serendipity is always a good sign.

  2. Shari Avatar

    Oh, I ADORE Natalia’s post!!

  3. Natalia Sylvester (@NataliaSylv) Avatar

    I love the ” natural declaration of hubris” perspective. I hadn’t thought of it like that, but it makes sense (and explains why I’m often so uncomfortable by parts of the promo process). Thanks for including me, too!