A word about quilting...

Many times in my writing career I have been asked why I don't care what publishers think about my work. Thus far I have replied- "If they don't care, then they can shove off!". But that isn't what I want to explain to them. I have struggled to explain it to them. There is something about the craft that most people don't want to or can't understand. People who don't create, don't understand it for the most part. 

There is a cultural view of writing, art, and music (at least here in America) that is toxic. It's this idea that you aren't an author, artist, or musician until your work gets you rich or recognized. I never felt that was accurate. I always felt that there was something inside me that forced me to write. Something that wasn't motivated by money, fame, or ego. I have struggled to explain the desperation in storytelling to people who don't write (paint or sing etc.) 

Part of it is that we seem to wait for someone to "okay" the stories we want to write. It's like we are constantly waiting for someone to approve our work or validate our imagination. If those people are removed, most creators still have the drive to create. 

I watched an interview with Marc Scott Zicree about screen writing for TV shows and movies. He said something about quilting that struck a chord with me. The synopsis is this:  a quilter doesn't ask permission to finish work and get it out there, they just finish it and move on, they keep creating. It's not money, recognition, or validation they seek, it is the joy that comes with the act of creating something new and seeing it through until it is done and exposed to the world. Creation itself is what drives them. Marc still puts it better than me, but that's the gist of it. 

Keep on creating my friends!