Did you succeed with the creative endeavors you worked on?
Since I started to write full-time to live as a professional author, I’ve been producing a lot more finished work in my creative endeavors.
Let’s stick to my fiction work, here. Before shifting my focus to my creative endeavors, I self-published 3 novels before 2020. Then, in 2020, I published 3 novels. In 2021, I published 6 novels.
In 2022, I completed multiple works. The fifth and final novel in my Void Incursion series, Check and Mate; The first 2 novels in my new Savagespace sci-fi series, Alliances and Consequences (the complete titles are still under consideration); I completed my edits on the third Source Chronicles novel, Harbinger; and I’ve begun world-building a new, unnamed fantasy idea.
But sadly, I’ve been unable to publish. There’s nobody and nothing to blame for this, it is what is. While many creative endeavors were completed in 2022, I didn’t manage to do all that I had hoped to do.
Do I lament that after publishing 9 books in 2 years, I published 0 this year? No. Because I cannot see the way forward to know when I’ll be publishing in 2023, do I quit my creative endeavors? No. Because this is the work that brings me the most joy, and I am as worthy of it as it is of me.
In other words – I’m going to celebrate what I have done rather than lament what hasn’t come to pass.
You get to choose to lament, live, or celebrate
It doesn’t matter if your creative endeavors are professional, a hobby, or somewhere in between. They are yours. And when you set out to do something – create something – you have a choice when it comes to your achievement. Or lack of achievement as the case may be.
Do you lament what hasn’t happened? Will you rue what didn’t get created or shared?
Do you live and let live, accept what is, and keep on keeping on? Will you just keep doing and being?
Do you celebrate what has been done? Will you allow yourself to revel in what creative endeavors have been accomplished?
Yes, I can lament that I published nothing in 2022. I can rue that my Void Incursion series is done, but I can’t share the final book with the world yet. Question is – what does that get me?
I can live with what I have done, be content that I am still creating, and keep at it.
But I can also celebrate that Savagespace is underway, that I have 4 more books planned and plotted in my Forgotten Fodder series, that I’m building a new fantasy world, and that I have a bunch of works ready to go. How amazing is that? All these creative endeavors are in various states of completion. All these worlds in my mind are finding their way to you.
Yes, you can see this as a glass-half-full versus glass-half-empty debate. But I see it more as a choice of attitude. That’s something I am super grateful for. I have choices and ongoing creative endeavors.
Creative endeavors have no one size or shape to them
Creative endeavors are not just about the arts. You don’t need to be an author, artist, singer, actor, or the like. Creativity is not just the provenance of the arts.
Scientists are creators. So are teachers. Even customer service people are creators – they create means to keep people content and/or happy with products and services.
Growing plants and preparing meals are creative endeavors, too. So is anything you can do that has an end result of building something – tangible or intangible.
You are a creator. Maybe you don’t see yourself that way – but you are. Because everyone does something in their life involving creation.
Why does it matter? Because it’s all too easy to get caught up in distractions and the negatives of our fear-based society. You might not mean to get caught up in it – but you’re only human. No matter what you do or how actively you strive to not let it get to you – it can and will.
Active creative endeavors are an excellent way to produce something – tangible or intangible – that makes you feel good. And you are utterly worthy and deserving of things that make you feel good.
Whatever size or shape they take – creative endeavors are a great outlet for improved mental and emotional health, as well as balance and stability.
At least, that’s what I believe – and have found largely to be true.
Ongoing creative endeavors and 2023
No matter if it was Alexander Graham Bell or another who said it, you’re likely familiar with the quote,
“When one door closes, another opens.”
The door to 2022 is closing – but the door to 2023 is more or less already open.
What are your current creative endeavors? What would you like them to be in 2023?
I am currently working on the third Savagespace novel, Revelations. This series is very exciting and has some (I think) fun sci-fi. I’m also continuing world-building for this new fantasy idea I have. I’m going to not be using certain long-time fantasy tropes with this world (like they have electricity via solar panels and batteries, indoor plumbing, trains – possibly maglev – and are slightly less medieval than the typical fantasy – but still fantasy and not Steampunk). I am also working out details and a story idea for this world.
For 2023, I would very much like to be able to edit and publish more works. I’d like to offer up the complete and finished Void Incursion series, the next Source Chronicles novel, and the next Vapor Rogues Steampunk novel, too. I might also like to share Savagespace – but that’s going to take a slightly different approach, which will likely start in 2023.
I am a creator – it’s what I love to do. My creative endeavors will continue.
Finally – thanks for being a part of my creative work. I appreciate you for being a reader and I hope my words offer you help and/or encouragement in your creative endeavors – whatever they might be.
Be inspired to be your own creator, whatever form that takes.
Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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