Not only am I current with what is happening in science, technology, and metaphysics. I’ve created a niche around these subjects that I’m becoming known for in my fiction - Urban Fantastic. You feel proud and happy that you did the difficult things on your own terms and made a mark through your struggles. In today’s world, that pride in struggle doesn’t exist again. We see it as an indication we should give up. I look at it as an opportunity to set yourself
apart and to forge a path not many will dare to take.
Why? Because it’s too difficult.
It’s tough for even the ones who recognize the importance of doing the hard things. The difference is that when things get hard, they ask themselves, Why do they do what they do? Personally, I go back to my reasons for being a writer and how I want to see true diversity in fantastic fiction. All my daily struggles are put into perspective as I imagine what it would be like to not be able to entertain and inspire readers with my books.
Today we all live in a world determined to make everything more accessible, more efficient, and more effective with the least amount of effort. We strive to increase our output with the least amount of input. I’m all for working smart, but there are parts of the life equation, especially for creatives, that require you to put in the work; lots of it.
Contravening this law makes for forgettable and mediocre work. I blame the cult of instant gratification. Don’t be lured by it. In my humble opinion, it’s poisonous.
Take the hard road, the one of struggle. Challenge yourself. On the way, you will learn and accomplish much. Mediocre is not for you Gentle Reader. The pride you feel is having achieved something remarkable.
