S.M. Carrière . com
Connect:
  • Home
  • About
  • Titles
    • Daughters Of Britain
    • Dear Father
    • Ethan Cadfael: The Battle Prince
    • Human
    • Skylark
    • The Dying God & Other Stories
    • The Seraphimè Saga >
      • The Summer Bird (v.1)
      • The Winter Wolf (v.2)
    • Your Very Own Adventures >
      • Skara Braens
      • Sky Road Walker
    • WIP Updates
  • Art
  • Other Projects
    • Editing Services
    • Charity Efforts >
      • Gàrradh nan Leannan
      • Have a Heart Campaign
    • Journal
    • Martial Arts
    • Silver Stag Entertainment
    • The Adventures of Grimglum the Nord
    • SMC Awkwardly Plays
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Art Prints
  • Contact

Create Anyway

16/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Image courtesy of jewelofcontentment.wordpress.com. Click for link.
Okay.  Real talk.

Making money as a creative is really, really, really tough.  In fact, it's not likely most of the time.

And here's the absolute truth:

Sometimes, hard work = success is a flat out lie.

Sometimes, you can bust your butt for years, and get absolutely nowhere.

I know, I know.  This is not the dream that many self-publishing services and vanity presses are selling.  It's not the fantasy in your head of selling your art from your quaint studio in a quaint country town.  It's not even the vision of life sold to you by countless stories, ads, and nationalist myths.

There is a lot working against creatives, not least of all is the constant undervaluing of the work of creative works by people, the expectation of getting works free (you should be glad you're even being read.  Getting paid for it? Phst!), the expectation that working for exposure is acceptable... all these thing collude to make it impossible for a creative to earn money.

It's a situation unique to creatives.  No one walks up to a surgeon and demands a surgery for free, promising "exposure."

Now, a lot of writers/would-be publishers have quickly discovered that they will not make the promised money from plying their trade honestly, and so they resort to all manner of underhanded tricks in an effort to make a living wage (or perhaps the millions they had come to believe would be coming their way).  From authors making multiple sock-puppet accounts in an effort to bolster their book's reputation, or even attack other authors or reviewers, to vanity publishers and false book awards eager to scam naive writers out thousands of dollars (not so much the book awards, though there are a number of scams that can cost a writer hundreds of dollars), many feel like scamming others or behaving dishonourably is the only way to make a living being creative.

I understand the temptation.  Years ago, when I was starting out and no one would look twice in my direction, I was really, really, really tempted to make a few fake profiles and give myself stellar reviews.  I so desperately wanted to be successful, I was considering all manner of sneak, underhanded things.

I made the deliberate decision that I would not do any of it.  I decided that if I could not be successful honestly, the I would not be successful - dishonest success was, to me, no success at all.  But I understand the immense temptation to cheat.

Making a living as a creative is hard.  It's really, really hard.

In fact, without a dollop of amazing luck, it might never happen.

Things seem to be improving for me, but these latest small successes might well be a mere flash in the pan.  It might be the only success I ever achieve.  That's why I crowed so loudly, and celebrated so eagerly, even though they don't seem like all that much.  In my creative life, they might be the best I ever do.

Now here's another truth:

I will never stop creating.  Even if I never make a cent doing what I do, I will still do it.  I will continue to work full time at a regular job, because bills must be paid, and I will continue to write, paint and be creative.  I can't help but do it.  It makes me happy.  It is as intrinsic to me as breathing or sleeping.

The hope is, of course, that I will eventually be able to make a living from it.  But I have done my research, and I have worked so hard for so long with nothing to show for it, that I'm fully prepared to not make a living out of it.

And no, that does not mean you can approach me asking for free things.  I create because it fulfils me.  And I value what I create, so I put value upon it.  It will always be that way.

So, dear creatives dreaming about your future, know the risks.  Understand the difficulties.  Know that you might work hard all your life and never achieve the kind of success you're hoping for.  Even if it leads to nothing, even if your best is not good enough, even if reality never matches your dreams...

Create anyway.
0 Comments

Is it Just Me?

15/3/2016

2 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Image courtesy of iscute.com. Click for link.
I'm still exhausted today.  I can't seem to concentrate very well these past few days.  My brain seems to be acutely aware that it's floating in liquid.  It feels floaty anyway.

Is it just me?

Please tell me that other people are feeling wonky too.

I know there is a plague going around.  Alas, the Amazing Flatmate is horribly ill.  In fact, most of the crew she works with are ill.  I think it's the flu, and it's not fun.  Which reminds me.  I need to pick up chicken soup, fresh ginger and fresh chillies...

I'm blaming daylight savings for it all.

Despite not being able to focus, I've managed to still work.  I haven't written as much as I like, being only two thousand words each the last few writing sessions.  Though it's not my goal, it's still better than writing nothing at all, so I'm not terribly stressed about it.

My next painting is coming along really well as well.  This one is a slightly different style from the other ones, it being for a poem that's much lighter in tone.  I'm aiming to give it a more watercolour feel.  I'm not sure I'm succeeding.  Oh well.

I might be finished that next week.  Perhaps earlier.  That'll be nice!

Right, I need to collect my coffee before I attempt to do work.  Or I might just pass out.

​Ciao!
2 Comments

Daylight Savings or Something

14/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Image courtesy of travelimages.com. Click for link.
So.  Daylight savings happened.

*grumble* *grumble* *groan* *growl*

It's a little worse for me than it should be, as I didn't actually get to bed until 2:00am last night.  This morning.  Whatever.  It's my own fault.  I stayed up too late, editing today's episode of Nights at the Round Table.  It's something I should have done much earlier, but figured I'd have more time than I did.

Story of my life.

In any case, I'm tired and a little cranky.  The export finished around 1:00 in the morning, and the upload finished at 2:00.  That's when I got to sleep.

And, thanks to daylight savings, I'm up at a time my body believes I should still be asleep.  In fact, I should only be arriving to work right about now... and I've been here an hour.  This spring forward nonsense is dumb.

*grumble*

Any way, after a busy weekend, all I want to do is sleep.  I'm not complaining, mind.  It was a good busy.  I had dinner with friends Saturday night, and ended up staying far later than I intended.  It was good though.  They are such lovely people.

Sunday, of course, I was filming Nights at the Round Table.  I also hadn't quite finished all my homework for that filming, and had about 150 pages of the book and the entire movie to watch before I headed out.  I finished that in good time, though, and was even on time for the filming.

The point, of course, is that I did all the things I was supposed to, but I'm paying for it today.  All I want to do is sleep.

Alas, there is no time for that.  I've a painting to continue and a novel to rewrite.

​Ciao!
0 Comments

Blush!

10/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Hello!  I am in a fabulous mood, even if I'm a little tired.  Excuse me a minute, I need to get some coffee.

Okay, I'm back.

One of the reasons I'm in such a great mood is that I went running for the first time in forever last night.  While it was not my best distance in the time provided (I use a running app/game called Zombies! Run.  I cannot recommend it enough!  It makes running so much fun.  This mission, for example, I saved an Aussie runner who was tied to some train tracks. Oh yeah!).  This mission was just shy of 40 minutes.  My goal was not to run the fartherest ever, it was merely to not stop and walk.  I managed to do that.  I ran the full forty minutes without stopping to walk.  I only managed just over five kilometres that run, but still, I ran all the way, and that makes me happy.

My legs are less happy.

Also in things that are making me extremely happy, do you remember when I mentioned a reader had approached me to ask permission to list Human on the website tvtropes.com?  Well, he's started the work and showed me what he had last night.  I arrived home from training (and light-sabre sparring) to find the message in my Facebook inbox.  And here is the entry for the book, or, what has been done of it so far.

I am incredibly humbled by this.  A lot of work goes into something like this, and I'm thrilled that someone liked the book well enough to dedicate all this time and effort into something like this.

Thank you so much, Jason.  I'm really thrilled about it all!

And last on this list of things that are making me exceptionally happy is:

OMG THE KICKSTARTER FOR BLUSH HAS LAUNCHED!

Ahem...

I've talked about Blush before - that awesome card game created by my friend Jen Desmarais (one half of JenEric Designs), and as of midnight last night... midnight this morning?  Anyway, the point is, the kickstarter is now live.  Check it out and contribute if you can!

I'm so excited for Jen, and I'm so happy for her.  I have my fingers and toes crossed that this kickstarter will be a raging success!

Right, I have work I should be doing.  That's all for today.

​Ciao!
0 Comments

A Mixed Bag

9/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Image courtesy of imparta.com. Click for link.
Yesterday was a weird day.

I got a little painting done, sketching out the next painting, and added a little colour.  There's more to do on that front.

When it came time to write, however, I couldn't seem to settle in and focus.  I only managed half of my usual daily word count, which, admittedly is still really good.

I mean, one and a half thousand words in a day is nothing to snuff at.  When I'm used to double that, however, it feels a little like a let down.

That's alright.  I'll get my mojo back and blast through my daily count and even catch up... that or I'll write some on the weekend to make my goal.  Either way, I'll catch up, so I'm not really all that mad, just disappointed.

On a happier note, training went much better by far.  Last night I did a proper, honest to goodness, did not require a jump start chin-up.

Finally!

For those of you new to this, one of my goals last year was to be able to do an unassisted chin-up.  For a while there, I was able to lift only about three quarters of the way.  If I made it all the way up, it was because I hopped a little to give myself a boost.  Not so last night.

This is great because two weeks ago I was feeling incredibly frustrated with my progress.  I felt like I wasn't getting any stronger after two years of strength training, and it irked me.  It was after a particularly bad day at the weights, and I was feeling so badly about myself.  There might have been tears of frustration.

Anyway, yesterday was a day of disappointment and celebration.  I'm looking forward to more celebration today.  Fingers crossed I make my daily word count!

​Ciao!
0 Comments

House Keeping Stuff!

8/3/2016

0 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!
Picture
Images courtesy of amnestybookclub.ca. Click for link.
I meant to write about this stuff yesterday, but had a terrible headache and couldn't think straight in the morning.  I'm blaming the sudden change in weather.  It got to be above 0 pretty quickly.

Anyway, there are a couple of things to note.

The first is that wonderful friend and awesome author Marie Bilodeau had her first book published with The Ed Greenwood Group.  This one is set in his Hellmaw Realm, and it is entitled Eye of Glass.  You should really check it out (here).

I've already announced the ChiSeries reading... haven't I?  Uh, in case I haven't, I'm reading for the Ottawa ChiSeries, a fantastic event that brings in authors from all over Canada to read.  They have these events in a fair number of cities across Canada.  For event details, click the pretty picture below:
Picture
Or you could, you know, just read the picture.  All the necessary details are there...

Do be warned, however, the establishment is cash-only, so visit the bank before heading over!

In other news, if you happen to be in New Delhi (yes, India), a friend and extremely talented artist is having an exhibition at the Lalit Kala Academy.  He is extraordinarily talented, and if you're in the area, you should definitely check it out.  You can find all the details on the Facebook event.

And last, but not least, the Prix Aurora Awards will be closing their nominations this month.  That's right, this month.  If you haven't yet nominated your favourite works, you should probably do that.  It's important to recognise and support your favourite Canadian artists.  Just casting a single vote could mean the world to them and their careers.

There are plenty of categories to choose from, and by becoming a CSFFA member, you get access to all the nominated works in the voter's package!  Isn't that great?

Nominations close March 19th 9:00pm EDT.  That's EDT.

You can register and nominate here.

Right, now I have to get my butt into gear and start on the next series of paintings.  Writing later today.  My work is never done.

Le sigh.

​Ciao!
0 Comments

Feeling Myself Again

7/3/2016

2 Comments

 
Good morning, Readers!.

​I did a thing!
Picture
Like it?  I'm rather proud of this one.  However, I realised on the weekend that I gave Commander Bennejin Skye here the wrong team number.  He actually belongs to Team 6.  I fixed that up this morning, and replaced all the artwork in the various places.

Who is he?  Well, he's the afore-mentioned Bennejin Skye.  He's the main character in a science fiction manuscript I'm currently trying to shop around.

I was supposed to be working on the first drawings for the next YouTube video thing, but for some reason, this guy took over.

Truth be told, drawn out, he doesn't really look like the character I had in my head.  That's changed, of course.  Now I can't imagine him looking any other way.

So, there he is.  Bennejin "Skylark" Skye.

I'm proud of this one.  I intend to start the paintings for the next YouTube Video, but I am making plans to pain the whole crew of U.S.C. Strategic Team 6.

I was unwell pretty much all of last week, and got no writing done.  I couldn't focus.  Feeling much more like myself, I should be able to get back into the swing of things.  I'm certainly looking forward to writing again.  Also, heading into training again.  Also, not being useless.  That'd be nice.

This weekend was great.  I was mostly myself, and attended a friend's birthday party on Saturday.  Sunday, I had a date with my dad.  We went and saw Deadpool.

I loved it.

So did my dad, though he did make the guy in the row behind us laugh out loud when he stated at the end credits, "That is the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life."  And he wasn't wrong!  Still, it was a great movie.  If you've not seen it yet, I can safely say without spoilers, that it was very Deadpool.

Okay, I think that's everything I can remember.  You're all caught up.  I have a tonne of stuff to do now.  Have a lovely day, all!

​Ciao!
2 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Author

    S.M. Carrière, a Celtic Studies enthusiast, writes fiction.  And this blog.

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014

    Categories

    All
    Book Reviews
    Events
    Gaming
    Human
    Life
    Rants
    Reading
    Seraphimè Saga
    Seraphimè Saga
    Skylark
    Television
    Training
    Travels
    Writing
    YouTube

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly