It takes courage to try anything new. The fear of failure, the fear of change, the fear that if you show part of your true self to a stranger that they’ll stomp all over you.
I know many writers who fear sending their work into the world. They fear rejection, they fear success, they fear criticism. They fear a lot — and let their work sit on their computer or under their bed and keep writing and keep filing until they’re so full of fear they’ll never share their writing.
Source: piccsy.com via Allison on Pinterest
It’s not just writers seeking an agent, an editor, or a reader. Anyone who attempts something new, different, original faces rejection, failure, and hardship. Trying out for the high school varsity team only to be cut down to JV while a younger student gets the slot you thought was yours. Growing a garden only to have the rabbits eat everything. Applying for a new job when you’ve been out of the work force for three years, or when you lost your job and are now competing with 100 people who have more education or more experience than you. Or worse–competing with people who don’t have your experience, but you’re all now on the same playing field.
But you also face achieving your dreams. You risk rejection to attain your goals, to fulfill and satisfy you. Courage is to not only dreaming, but putting your dreams into action.
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This came clear to me when my daughter, Kelly, and I went to National Portfolio Day two weeks ago in San Francisco. National Portfolio Day is where high school sophomores and juniors bring their art portfolios to a local college (some kids traveling several hours since there’s usually only one per state, and two in California) — physically, digitally, however they can — and show their creations to admissions counselors and graduates from art schools all over the country. They wait in line, wanting feedback but hoping for praise, for a word or more than tells them they have what it takes to get into the art school of their choice.
Oil Painting, Kelly Brennan 2012
That takes courage. More courage than any writer sending out an email query to an agent in hope of getting a read. More courage than sending your manuscript to a contest and being judged by your peers. Because it’s you, your art, and your critic, all there in a room … and you’re also being compared to hundreds of other students who also want what you want, competing for limited slots at the best art schools in the country.
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I found the experience amazing, and so did Kelly — even though she went to it with a bit of trepidation. There are a lot of talented kids out there creating art using all mediums. Fine art, digital art, animation. Kelly specializes in fine art — preferring pencils, charcoal, or oil paints — and her skill and technique, especially for someone who is self-taught, is far and above most of her peers. Except, of course, when you attend an art event that draws in crowds of kids who are also far and above most of their peers.
Oil Painting by Kelly Brennan, 2012
She also started thinking about what she wanted and didn’t want out of an art college. Being able to take a core curriculum of History and English and other classes over and above her Fine Arts classes is important to her, so now she’s also looking at dual degree programs. She also likes the colleges where you get a BFA and don’t have to declare a major. One of her previous top choices moved down on the list because they require their students to declare a major by the second semester of their freshman year.
Graphite Pencil Drawing, Kelly Brennan 2012
She may not get into her first choice, once she decides what her first choice is. But that doesn’t mean she’ll quit. And if an introverted 16 year old can muster the courage to expose her art to potential criticism, so can you.
What are you going to do to face your fears? Big or small, it doesn’t matter — for some people, leaving the house takes courage.
Your daughter is very talented. I hope she gets into the school she wants and they help her refine her talent to the point where people are clamoring to buy her work. And if she wants to peruse some great current artists, have her go to http://www.cordair.com. I’ve never been to their physical location (never been to California, actually), but I love their online gallery. =o)
Funny, I was just thinking about fear this morning. I’m at a point where some big things are happening in my life, and it’s all pretty scary. My mantra for the year ‘Embrace Change’ is helping. As for what I’m doing, I have a book that’s still alive at Harper Voyager, and I just sent a requested full to an agent for a different book.
Yeah B.E.! I love that mantra. Embrace Change. That’s terrific. Good luck on your request! I know it’s scary out there, but be glad you don’t have to stand in front of her desk while she reads it! 🙂
Hooray for Kelly and mom!!!! What beautiful work! Thanks for sharing, Allison!
Thanks Deb — I know you understand all about being a proud mom!
Beautiful! You have every right to be a proud mom. Both her art and her courage are something to behold.
Thanks JB — and I’m not joking about Kelly being an introvert, though she’s gotten better, at least when she’s in a comfort zone like school (she goes to a small school.) She still gets social anxiety, and doesn’t like crowds, so National Portfolio Day was a big deal, waiting in line and being around so many other people in a small space!
Kelly is incredibly talented. Good luck to her as she figures it out.
Thanks TOni! 🙂
Kelly IS very talented, and very brave. And she’s got a great example to follow in her mom.
I so often feel like the Cowardly Lion. Marketing is my poppy field along the yellow brick road. I tell myself I do okay without it but there’s a little voice that says I could do better. I need to find some courage to do more.
Great topic today, Allison. Crossing fingers for Kelly but with her talent and drive, she’ll make her own luck!
Silver, marketing is one of those things that’s hard for so many writers. And it doesn’t have to be. Do what you’re comfortable with and ignore the rest. Write more great books. Your books are your best marketing tool, hands down.
And now that you brought up the Wizard of Oz, Kelly was cast as the Wicked Witch in her high school musical! 🙂
Hi Allison! Silver is so not the cowardly lion, she’s more like the Scarecrow–she reasons through the fear, convincing those around her that she’s fearless. Yes, there is a tiny kernel of fear residing inside, but she doesn’t listen to it. I know this because as her CP, she’s usually the one leading and continually convincing me to go onward with my writing. I don’t suffer as much from fear as from doubt, which is a huge problem in itself. I also have two very talented sisters with graphic arts degrees and can say without a doubt that your daughter is more than just talented. You have been a great role model!
Congratulations to Kelly! That’s fabulous that she pushes ahead. My kids often get upset when they aren’t successful the first time they try something. They don’t seem to understand that it takes work! Dan’s 18 YO daughter asked him what the shortcuts are to making lots of money. We both had a good laugh over that one.
OMG, your 18 year old sounds like my 11 year old son! He’s always looking for the short cut. He also tells me he’s going to support me in my old age because he’s going to be a gazillionaire. I told him to cure cancer. He wants to be a chemical engineer and blow things up :/
I do think there are a lot of young people out there looking for the easy answers and easy path. They will definitely learn–it’s up to them.
Courage–wonderful post! Congrats to Kelly and to her Mom for being such a good example. It takes courage to embrace life, chase dreams, and live fully. What’s the worst that can happen? Someone says “no.” You fall on your face? Big deal. the people who love you will still be there, helping you back onto your feet and pushing you back out the door. As they say, the only time failure is guaranteed is if you never try…
Amen, Deborah! Life is a risk, and it’s fun, and it’s scary. The last thing I want is to have my kids regret not even trying for something they want. There’s this quote — I think it’s something like, “I would rather say, I can’t believe I did that! than say, “I wish I’d done that.” —
Bravo on an outstanding post. As a Grammy to a physically “different” 12 yo granddaughter I see her use courage each time she walks into a situation that’s new to her. I see her face the looks and whispers of people who don’t know what an amazing, interesting person she is.
Congratulations to your wonderfully talented daughter for sharing some of her works with us.
Trish, kids are amazing, aren’t they? Kudos to your granddaughter for taking risks.
All of this is so true (I love that first pic about finding a way or finding an excuse). I love (and needed) this post. Also, may I just say that your daughter is INCREDIBLY talented. Must run in the fam…..
Thanks Jake — I’ve found that creative people especially are filled with self-doubt, and it can completely stop them in their tracks. Without courage, we’d all hide in our office writing or drawing only for us.