martininamerica:

katyanoctis:

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Bullshit.

When I was at the end of my rope and couldn’t stop crying, literally lying on the floor because I felt so weak and useless and wanted to kill myself, I called you and you talked me out of it.

You’ve done a great deal for me, Katy, and I’m sure the same can be said of others who know you. There is nothing more creative a person can do than to create hope in another person, and that’s what you’ve given me.

I don’t know this person, but I want to say something that I’ve said like a billion times.  Being creative is one of the hardest things to do.  Not only do you have to be motivated, but once you get motivated and put yourself out there you have to hope that others like what you do.  Despite what people might say (writing is easy, all you do is draw, ect.) they have no idea how hard this is to do.  I know how you feel.  I’ve been there, and the worst thing you can do is beat yourself up for it.  You can’t force yourself to be inspired enough to write/draw/whatever, and you ESPECIALLY shouldn’t force yourself because you see other people succeeding in your field.  Trust me, they’ve been where you are.  Even with my book release, and all of the crafts I do, and cons I go to, and doing artist alley, and signing book contracts, I STILL have moments where I either a) don’t feel like doing anything or b) feeling like I’m getting nowhere.  It’s part of the process, and it’s best to take a breath, step away for a moment, then go back at it when you really feel like you want to.

The end of last year was pretty shitty for me.  I felt terrible at what I did.  I had no job.  My book was getting rejections.  Fuck, my cats died.  It was the worst time of my life and I would sit here and think, “God I suck,” and even, “Why the hell does my partner put up with this shit?” But this whole thing takes a lot of time.  It’s a slow, slow process, and it’s draining.  If you start to feel like you haven’t done something, I suggest you look at the progress you’ve made.  You’ve gotten up and you’ve started.  You’re trying.  Maybe you just have one page done, or one sentence, or even just an outline and an idea.  But that’s doing something!  

I think the biggest mistake we make as creative people is giving such great advice to people and not taking our own advice.  Martin is saying that you’ve inspired him, and that’s beautiful, and you should never forget that.