You know another celebrity who got exactly as famous as he wanted to be? DeForest Kelley, that's right Bones from Star Trek. The other stars of the show might have needed some other validation but it seems that Kelley, was pretty reserved and outside of Trek lived a pretty normal life. You don't really want to read a biography about the man, he wasn't involved much in politics, and he seems to be just happy where he landed.
I think often the itch you describe is felt by people who haven't reflected on what it is they have, and what it is they want to achieve. So without an aim there's nothing for them left. I think of Bobby Fischer, having gotten the Chess World Championship and then disappearing. Having achieved his goal he didn't know what to do with himself, and moreover he didn't want to compete and lose what he had gained.
Compare that to Magnus Carlsen, who's a top player but walked away from the title match after holding it for years because he didn't feel that he needed the title to be the best. Magnus still plays and seems to have a generally healthy outlook on life.
I also think of the Harper Lee who wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird" and didn't feel the need to release more books after it. (I know the sequel came out years later but I suspect people were taking advantage of an older lady) If you need to write, write so that you've given it your best. There are those who stop and I think it's all about having a goal worth achieving, achieving that, and then allowing yourself the freedom not to be defined only by that one goal.
I tell myself this is why I don't make the effort to find an agent or query publishers, that I don't really want that successful writer life. Of course that might be self defense against finding out I'm not good enough to be a successful writer. 😅
I really enjoyed this post and strongly relate. I started my substack for many reasons but one of the biggest is that I hope to build enough of an audience to someday get a book deal. I have my moments where I write something that makes me feel good and proud, only to watch as it struggles to gain any traction.
I have fought that attention itch, and at times thought I mastered it, only to take a step back and realize that maybe I hadn't "Figured it out" the way I thought I had. Ok, I think I'm rambling now. Either way, this is a great post and I'll be subscribing and reading more of your work.
You know another celebrity who got exactly as famous as he wanted to be? DeForest Kelley, that's right Bones from Star Trek. The other stars of the show might have needed some other validation but it seems that Kelley, was pretty reserved and outside of Trek lived a pretty normal life. You don't really want to read a biography about the man, he wasn't involved much in politics, and he seems to be just happy where he landed.
I think often the itch you describe is felt by people who haven't reflected on what it is they have, and what it is they want to achieve. So without an aim there's nothing for them left. I think of Bobby Fischer, having gotten the Chess World Championship and then disappearing. Having achieved his goal he didn't know what to do with himself, and moreover he didn't want to compete and lose what he had gained.
Compare that to Magnus Carlsen, who's a top player but walked away from the title match after holding it for years because he didn't feel that he needed the title to be the best. Magnus still plays and seems to have a generally healthy outlook on life.
I also think of the Harper Lee who wrote "To Kill a Mockingbird" and didn't feel the need to release more books after it. (I know the sequel came out years later but I suspect people were taking advantage of an older lady) If you need to write, write so that you've given it your best. There are those who stop and I think it's all about having a goal worth achieving, achieving that, and then allowing yourself the freedom not to be defined only by that one goal.
I tell myself this is why I don't make the effort to find an agent or query publishers, that I don't really want that successful writer life. Of course that might be self defense against finding out I'm not good enough to be a successful writer. 😅
Or a sensible response to the warped and random world of publishing. No reflection on your value or talent.
I always enjoy your articles.
Thank you😊
Thank YOU!
You're welcome😊
I really enjoyed this post and strongly relate. I started my substack for many reasons but one of the biggest is that I hope to build enough of an audience to someday get a book deal. I have my moments where I write something that makes me feel good and proud, only to watch as it struggles to gain any traction.
I have fought that attention itch, and at times thought I mastered it, only to take a step back and realize that maybe I hadn't "Figured it out" the way I thought I had. Ok, I think I'm rambling now. Either way, this is a great post and I'll be subscribing and reading more of your work.
Keep the articles coming. No apologies.