Y, O, Y
So, I got this comment last week that I meant to talk about a bit. The only reason I didn’t allow it to be published under standard means is I was a little suspect about the web address left by the author. Anyway, here it is:
QUIT WASTING YOUR TIME!
I can see that in the “past ten days” you’ve wasted at least 20 hours watching OTHER PEOPLE’S stuff. Either spend that time drawing (free, essentially) or playing your guitar, or go ahead and get that second job and save that money to buy the things you need.By the time you’re 30 you will have wasted YEARS consuming other people’s things when you should be developing your OWN TALENTS…….
I don’t mean to preach, but I don’t see a whole lot there that is doing you any real good.
I understand that it’s important to have “influences”, but try to limit it.!!!
You have your own talent. USE IT to create something.-Tom
When I first read this I thought, “Yes! Finally, someone who gets it.” For years friends, family, coworkers, and therapists have told me that I’m too hard on myself. Here is someone that understands the effort it takes to be great at something. On the other hand, I did spend all of November in a novel writing cocoon, so it was really nice to take an extended break and all that movie watching served something of a purpose in that I’m writing reviews of them in my newsletter (though maybe I won’t be doing any more of that in the future, we’ll see).
Lately I’ve been trying to ask myself why all this creative stuff is so important to me. I think the reason might be that if I keep at it there is a chance that I will someday create something of which I am immensly proud, or create something that will somehow make some other opportunity available to me.
It would be so much easier if I didn’t have this need to create. Moments ago I was working on the robot drawing again. It goes fine until I start inking it and you can’t erase ink. I make mistakes and slap my hand down on the table while profanities stream from my mouth. What most people don’t realize about comic book art is that when those inkers do make mistakes, they cover it up with white paint or correction fluid or whatever. Maybe I’d be happier working in a different medium.
Or maybe I’d just be happier if I didn’t have this need to create at all. I could sit around and watch movies and play video games or whatever.
This is really interesting, but I’m wondering if the comment holds the same application to books. Sure, reading is still consumption, but it also feels more like learning and enrichment than, say, watching a movie does. What do you think?
I think it all depends on what you’re reading and what you’re watching. Are you reading MAD Magazine or War & Peace? Watching Step Brothers or Schindler’s List? If you spend four hours reading a work of terrible fiction, is it more enriching than watching two really excellent, thought provoking movies?
And it depends on what your goals are, too. I guess my goal is to create. Why, I don’t know..
Me, I just think he’s a rude prick. People who never leave their proper contact details don’t have the courage of their own convictions and are best ignored.