The world is full of Dream Eaters and we will encounter them often. When I tell someone that, “I’m going to make my living as in independent writer and musician,” the hungry Dream Eater knows only two courses of action:
- Explain why it can’t be done.
- Explain that it’s stupid to even consider it.
The Dream Eaters feed upon other people’s ambition. They’re similar to vampires, but a cross and holy water does nothing to stop them. They are programmed (perhaps by the Devil) to keep all of us living and working in the narrow confines of what’s acceptable and what isn’t.
I wish I had a cure-all for these folks, something that not only shut them up but inspired them to chase a dream of their own. I do have a couple of defense tactics that work for me and your welcome to them:
- Say, “The internet has leveled the playing field and becoming a successful artist of any kind is more realistic than it’s ever been before. Have you heard of this new invention called the internet?”
- Say, “Thanks for your input” and walk away to the nearest safe place where you can write or pursue your artistic ambitions turning their negativity into fuel for your craft.
Good Luck – and stay safe out there.
LL
13 June 2009 at 6:07 PM
Oh, I like that second one especially because it gets your dig in (kill ‘em with niceness) and then takes advantage of your rage. Excellent advice! (Plus, their negativity is all about them. It has nothing to do with you. And by you, I mean all of us being brave enough to try what they won’t.) GREAT POST!
13 June 2009 at 10:34 PM
They were out in force today, I’ll tell you! Thanks for your kind words. Be true to your muse!