tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418939.post111417242506044390..comments2023-09-23T04:02:58.985-04:00Comments on May Day Cafe: There is this question of ambition.Nerissa Nieldshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07681807422024958132noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418939.post-64259277436221241022012-01-26T15:29:45.675-05:002012-01-26T15:29:45.675-05:00For most creative people, it seems that the proces...For most creative people, it seems that the process vs. product struggle is an ongoing wrestling match, rather than a matter of declaration. Sometimes. we're motivated by fame, sometimes by power, often by money, and sometimes by intrinsic factors. Different artists react to different stimuli, and at different times.<br /><br />I am just happy to see the film, hear the cd, view the art, or read the novel, regardless of the artist's motivation, as long as it's quality work.<br /><br />Unless there's ambition, the artist will not persist in the process. I can only imagine how much great art is never produced or disseminated due to a relative lack of ambition.<br /><br />If you're already a successful artist (meaning that you can make a living writing and performing songs) and that you have a legion of devoted fans who will purchase anything you produce, you have a lot more freedom to create. After all, you are guaranteed an audience. That's worth a lot. <br /><br />I'm glad you persisted. I will be eager to read the novel, and maybe even write a review.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756573006315537072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418939.post-62211230358556619732012-01-26T14:13:06.796-05:002012-01-26T14:13:06.796-05:00Oh! And I remember seeing all of you in some of th...Oh! And I remember seeing all of you in some of those earlier days, at Johnny D's in Somerville, being quite infectious with the joy you brought to the stage!photomonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07857628341213865981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8418939.post-57456170647067446552012-01-26T14:11:54.660-05:002012-01-26T14:11:54.660-05:00Such a challenge, isn't it, to divorce one'...Such a challenge, isn't it, to divorce one's self from the exterior markers of success and just enjoy the ride for what it is? I had a similar problem in college. I went to, at best, a mediocre high school where I did pretty darn well and somehow managed to get into a very good college. And first three semesters there, I struggled really hard. I wasn't properly prepared, and here I was, dropped into a very intense academic environment with students who had excelled at very intense high schools. I floundered. Then, my 4th semester, I started taking classes *I* really wanted to take, and got myself to think a lot less about how the people around me were doing. And I started to really find my groove and do a lot better. I still struggle with those exterior markers, I probably always will, knowing what others are doing and accomplishing (super excellent college students become super achieving alumnae). And still, to this day, I am in my own element and groove when I get to really wallow in the stuff that lights my fire. Even if that fire doesn't result in much exterior acknowledgment. Finding and sticking with that groove is the challenge. I admire how well you do it. And I look forward to reading your novel!photomonkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07857628341213865981noreply@blogger.com