Comments on A Note To Myself About Where I Am At

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Azur

Good Grief, Azur.  Your survival & marketing skills are at 100%.  I'm astonished at the different jobs you've considered, and the grinding work you are doing.  With your view of life, the future will clear.  All the best.

posted by johnmacnab on October 21, 2009 at 11:36 AM | link to this | reply

Ooooh, Azur. I'm sorry...

I went back and read my original comment about artists not being able to live off their art, and jeez, what a snarky piece of tripe.  

I know from reading your blogs there have been times you did just that -- made a good living at your art -- and this is just a slow patch. What I meant to say was it's the economy, and one of these days all the chips will fall where they should, in your favor.  

posted by Pat_B on October 20, 2009 at 4:44 PM | link to this | reply

Re: Dear Benzinha

Unlike reality based you, I also rarely buy lottery tickets and yet discuss winning th pot constantly, as though I did buy them and it was a real possibility. Silly me.

Illness, going around everywhere is testing everyone, I know this personally, women thinking about killing unhelpful mates all over Tucson, Arizona, hehehehhhhhh.

posted by benzinha on October 20, 2009 at 9:21 AM | link to this | reply

(i was too quick pressing the button - here's a rose for you)

posted by mneme on October 19, 2009 at 10:36 PM | link to this | reply

Ouch, Azur.. maybe you could do a non-fiction "how-to" e-book ... how to keep bouncing back no matter what..!  

posted by mneme on October 19, 2009 at 10:35 PM | link to this | reply

Re: sam444. thanks. My daughter is much better now.

Very concerned about partner's mother. I realised i forgot to add tutoring to the list. I am tutoring a young girl who loves to write.

That is quite hard work, in trying to think of the right things to say. She has aspergers and her parents are happy to encourage her in her love of writing.

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 2:55 PM | link to this | reply

Re: Wow, you've been very busy! I'm impressed at your notes!

It's good to do the note because it helps me see i have made an effort. And I can pat myself on the back for that at least.

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 2:50 PM | link to this | reply

Pat_B Re: I believe it's rare for an artist to be able to make a living at

i agree and realise that I probably won't make a full living out of novel writing. I treat working on my fiction and other books as a valid but long term part of my work portfolio. But the challenge at the moment is not making a living out of art but making a living out of my professional skills.

Occasionally I take other jobs, in cafe etc but as I said in the post up to 1200 are applying for basic jobs round here. And I am lucky that i have other skills to sell and that I am not limited to selling those locally. I am actually adapting just as fast as i am can, doing PR, trying to move into social media, doing training, tutoring. I think this year has been tough for two reasons - one is the global financial crisis, and the other is that the newspaper business as we knew it is gone, and never will be the same any more. I think it will get better when the business model gets worked out. I  stick with it as best I can because at least i will be in the right place when it comes back.

It's not so bad, just this month I feel it because we can't do as much as we'd like for my partner's mother.

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 2:49 PM | link to this | reply

Re: Just catching up with you a bit, Azur.

isS Eyes

Thanks for the lovely comment. People tell me  to get a real job overlooking that I've kept my own little business going for years. Sometimes it's just a little belief in us that we require. I am very aware of my own weaknessess;-) and yes my strengths.

I've had an agent for some years but have yet to convert something to a project that makes anything for either of us but I am getting ever closer.  The other factor is the energy it takes to go find a 'real job'. I have to factor that to the energy and time it takes to find the jobs I find now. Other thing is that often people find me.

My partner is very supportive but his 'real job' doesn't make enough. He is very talented and could make money in a number of ways outside of that but is unsuited to working alone. That's the way the cookie crumbles.

 

I read your post about cutting down on Blogit. I ration it. I read quietly often. Focusing on your own work in the way  you need to is important.

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 2:29 PM | link to this | reply

Dear Benzinha

I love you long comments, and the stories about you that come out of them.

Yes I was working in a cafe recently and it suited me because I got some company, and it didnt use the writing side of my brain.

I think the illness of past two weeks was me throwing up my hands but it didn't mean anyone did anything much for me. I think this is life and some days you cope with it better than others. I don't pin hope on lottery - for i rarely buy tickets

 

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 1:51 PM | link to this | reply

Taps, you think there's be an answer in all that

Every month one or two things come along that look like they'll solve it, and then they bring in cash for a bit but not for long term

 

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 1:46 PM | link to this | reply

Thanks Kabu.

It can never be said I don't make the effort.

I don't write for the internet sites either. I am old fashioned, used to interviewing and researching and one can't do all that and write articles for next to nothing. I'd rather flip a burger, and have done

posted by Azur on October 18, 2009 at 1:44 PM | link to this | reply

I am worn out just reading! Wow! I hope your daughter gets well very soon! sam

posted by sam444 on October 18, 2009 at 12:36 PM | link to this | reply

Wow, you've been very busy! I'm impressed at your notes!

posted by Ariala on October 18, 2009 at 6:40 AM | link to this | reply

I believe it's rare for an artist to be able to make a living at the thing

she loves. Art, music, creative writing, are the first cuts made in school budgets, family budgets, etc., with the exception of movies. The parking lots are half-empty at the mall, but folks are going to the movies. Weird!  So many actors, dancers, musicians must have day jobs, which usually involves food service -- and fine restaurants lose business in a down economy, too.

So a job that's beneath you -- like selling shoes -- can keep the Hamburger Helper coming until the lottery pays off or some editor finally sees there's a dollar value in your novel. It ain't fun, it ain't pretty, but it's fodder for your writerly wheels. I was an office assistant, even a glorified OA for 50 years. There's worse things.

posted by Pat_B on October 18, 2009 at 5:42 AM | link to this | reply

Just catching up with you a bit, Azur.

One thing is sure, you've got something most of us don't:  An agent, and interest in your work.  My lack of interest is mostly due to my lack of real effort out in the real world.  So that's another thing you've got going for you: drive and self-confidence that can only come from experience and a few tastes of success.

posted by myrrhage_ on October 18, 2009 at 4:43 AM | link to this | reply

Typical, I made it all about me and not about all that I read about you.

But, I am a self-centered, egotistical and narcissistic artist.  Like some people that you know....in your own neighborhood, I can always make everything about me.

Come live with me in Ajijic in a seven bedroom house, ha.

posted by benzinha on October 17, 2009 at 11:17 PM | link to this | reply

I had a nervous breakdown in a very very very bad economy a few decades ago

and couldn't make enough to support my children, so I fell apart as nothing in art worked.

I sold shoes for one year and lived with my folks again............and then quit when a designer job, by word of mouth, opened up for me in another city.

I was so very happy to not sell shoes one more day. I cannot do those types of things without contemplating all co-workers deaths in my sleep. Not a team player, but I can make the damned hamburgers and mop the damned floors.

I did chimney sweeping and maid work on other occasions, anything to work alone and keep all the money. Better choices, I thought.

At least, I had enough energy each night to do some artwork, eventually pulling myself out of each hole each time.

You describe my ancient hell. Twenty signs 2 paint, mural fixing, furniture for a store painting, portraits and pet paintings, etc. Juggling like a mad woman and still earning about $1.00 an hour. Shoes paid better, damn it.

So glad that I am so old that no one will hire me for those things anymore if I contemplate them again.

I have decided, as I always do when visiting Mexico, to move down there for one year, at least. Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico..........leaving next Fall. It will take me that long to figure it out.

Rent is American $350 a month for a 3 bedroom house, or much less, if I live with the 'natives' as most people are afraid to do, in a less than adequate house that I could fix up for an owner.

Wish I had a lottery ticket that would help all the people that I have come to care about.

posted by benzinha on October 17, 2009 at 11:15 PM | link to this | reply

It sounds like you are wearing yourself out.  I got worn out both mentall and physically just reading all of it and thinking about it.  There must be a pecuniary answer somewhere in all that.

posted by TAPS. on October 17, 2009 at 4:58 PM | link to this | reply

well no one can say that you aren't trying. The trouble with jobs on the

web so many you have tobein America to get paid or the articles are all about something I know nothing about. Good luck.

posted by Kabu on October 17, 2009 at 4:57 PM | link to this | reply