If a tree falls in the woods, will anyone know you’re a good writer?

Here’s a thought: If you want people to read something, they have to know about it.

If you spend all of your time writing and none talking about your work, is anyone going to read it but yourself and, if you can convince him, your cat? You could be the next Sylvia Plath (without the unhappy ending) or David Foster Wallace (…also without the exit strategy) and nobody would know it.

We have to go out and let the world know that we exist.

I guess the next question to ask is how.

My suggestion is anyway we know how that will create an impact. Preferably, a good impact.

This just in!

This just in: I’m going to school!

I secretly applied because, sure, I was a little lot nervous that my drawings and paintings weren’t going to be good enough to get me a ticket in. But look at me now, Ma!

This is huge. After high school, I never had the desire to go back to school. Most likely because I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career and did not want to waste time or money. Now, years later, I’ve decided the path I want to take and everything is falling into place.

So, in January, off I will go with my backpack, computer and thirst for knowledge (ha) into my Graphic Design program. It’s a big step in the right direction. (The direction being illustrating books and designing book covers.)

I am thrilled!

–

P.S. On a side note, check out this blog post. I usually share links on my twitter and Facebook so as to not crowd this blog with all the amazing stuff I find. But, this one is an exception. Enjoy!

The beginning

In a blog post last week, I let everyone know that I’m going to focus a little bit on my personal journey into a career in literature. I’m at the point in that road now that I need to choose which way to go. I feel like I’m standing before one of those poles with a million signs, all pointing somewhere unique and exciting.

Where to first?

I’ve put a lot of thought into where I can fit into the industry. And I’ve decided that for my main source of income (something I admit, I have to factor into the decision), I’m going to work as a book illustrator/cover designer.

I’ve always painted and drawn. As a child, I never stopped trying new mediums and expressing myself through visual images. I’ve sold pieces here and there, but never considered being an artist as a feasible career option. Now that I’m older and know that it is literature that I’m most passionate about, it seems that the perfect career for me is to use my artistic abilities to be a part of the creation of books (kind of like how I’ve incorporated both into a magazine).

I’m going to go grab some new art supplies at the store and get honing my skills.

A

Writing with intention

In the Director’s Letter for the July Issue of Writtle Magazine, I wrote that these past few months have really been about pushing boundaries for me. I’ve pushed them in my life and in my writing.

One of the things I’ve found most difficult with my writing is to show it to others. (Which, obviously, makes it difficult to mould a career). For years, writing has been something so personal and profoundly healing for me. Now, as I move from journaling to writing actual pieces, I fear my intentions are also shifting.

Before, I always wrote for me. I wrote what I needed to write to get me through whatever I was going through in my life. Now, because I know people are going to be reading it, I find myself asking questions about what the reader would like to hear, or what would help them get through a certain event/time in their life.

Does that make for less authentic writing, or simply more popular, sellable pieces? (And, does that make me a sell-out because I’m even thinking about my writing being sold?)

Have mercy on the busybody (Part 1)

Have mercy on the busybody.

As a woman frantically began checking her pockets; hidden crevices of her wallet; the depths of her purse, she unhappily settled on the conclusion that she had lost the money.

It had been 5 o’clock and she was tired from her day at work. All she wanted to get was coffee so she could stay awake during the meeting so she could drive home so she could open up her computer so she could work some more. So, she inserted her card into the ATM and told the machine she wanted two hundred dollars.

It wasn’t until she was standing in front of me, wanting to pay that she realized she had left it there.

It’s odd how we so easily slip into auto-pilot. It’s like, when we are going through the motions of a typical day, we put ourselves on cruise control and enjoy the ride. It isn’t until something jerks you out of it that you slam on the breaks.

It is inevitable that you will stop at some point. It is your choice whether you stop yourself gracefully or you come to an involuntary screeching halt.

A

Is writing payment enough?

I was standing at the front desk of a store when a man came up and asked the receptionist if the owner could give him a call. He was an employee and had just realized that he hadn’t been paid for a month and a half. He went on, casually requesting that when she got around to it, if he could get his checks.

Do you love writing enough that you could pen your heart out and forget about getting paid?

If not, perhaps you should get lost in your imagination for a while and rediscover the beauty of the craft.

2011: The Year of the List

When I take something on, I take it on full force. The problem with this being that I generally completely lose all balance in my life. If I decide to paint, I really paint. If I decide to write, I really write. The dishes don’t get done for days, I forget to eat. I really don’t get much else done at all.

I’m generally not one for lists. I think that they are designed to make you feel bad. A million things there staring at you that are daunting and you aren’t going to get done. Lately, however, I have realized that my take on them is completely pessimistic and I’m placing no faith in myself.

Lists, in my opinion (now that I’ve given my head a shake), are like a compass to keep you in check. Like an X on a map – “You are supposed to be here”. If you want to accomplish whatever it is you do, this is where you should be.

So, here is my list for 2011 if I want to be a professional writer:

1. Throw out all rules I have around creativity. What something should sound/look like in my work has no place in my mind. Restricting ideas are not welcome. I am going to let my soul flow through me in whatever words and forms it takes.
2. Educate myself. I think it’s important to know your craft. I’m going to take and lead classes, read, practice.
3. Write constantly. I’m going to carry a notepad with me to avoid squashing the idea I have into the back of my brain to rehash when I get home.

On my way,

Amy

Mission Accomplished

Lovely, lovely friends,

I said yesterday that as the rest of my life untangles around me and becomes simpler, I know that it is time to streamline my career as well. I am so proud to announce that today I morph from AMY-of-all-trades to simply Amy Van Es and begin my career (formally). Why? Because I have decided what I am passionate enough about to contribute to on a full time basis.

As I said in my previous post, what started as a career experiment has turned into a portal for me to continue to embrace life and learn how to thrive in the world. Since I stopped writing about career and started writing from my soul, things have seriously skyrocketed. Duh, Amy, take a look uhh… right in front of your nose! This is your career.

I am hereby dedicating my career to helping you mould your own, unique world.

I’ve already got a jump start on this fabulously gigantic task with the blog by sharing my daily musings, but I thought about what else I could do to share as I learn.

This is what I came up with. A collection of creative writing activities (and products to make you comfy) to accompany the daily postings to shed some more light on how to get you to where you want to be. Writing has been an incredibly powerful exercise in my healing process and and continues to be as I move forward – I can’t wait for you guys to try it out!

More fun (like a poetry group which is next on the list) will be added as my journey progresses and I learn of more ways that help me evolve, but this is a real good start.

If you enjoy reading this blog and invest a few minutes a day to do so, it’s totally worth your time to come out and try one of the programs. Fo’ real.

If obtaining your ideal life isn’t worth an hour a week, or an email a day, what the heck is?

I’m super psyched! If you trust that I’m as wicked cool as I say I am, please do spread the word to your networks to get me goin’.

Love,

Amy

P.S. New URL (one that actually makes sense) and payment/registration options to follow in the very near future. For the time being, shoot me an email to register or order a product and I’ll get back to you right away. Thanks, folks!

NEW OFFER: spreadin’ the love

Greetings from Puppyland! I am writing to you from my FIRST DIG SITTING GIG!

So far, things are going splendidly. I’m sitting here with a gorgeous puppy’s head in my lap. These dogs are so affectionate. That’s the thing about pets – they bring such good, loving energy to your home and life. I also walked a dog yesterday (not these ones, but another woman’s), and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with him as well. I’m thinking’ I definitely need to do this more.

As far as things are going right now, I’ve got a couple people whose pups I walk and sit, but it’s not enough… the loving happiness has made me crave more dog-time. So, I live by the concept that everything is energy: Every thought you have, breath you breathe, time you move, hug you share, money you make. I also believe that services should be valued. After all, you are giving your time/energy to the person who has hired you, so you should get some energy back. Most of the time what you receive back comes in the form of money. But, in light of this concept, I am hereby offering an alternate means of paying for my services:

You may either pay the full amount that is priced out on my site or the SERVICES tab of this blog, or you may spend your resources/energy you already have rather than your money, and refer me to two of your connections in London for my services, and receive 40% off yours.

This is going to be put in place for all services from now on unless I say otherwise! I think this is such a fab idea and am SO excited to see how it goes! (I’ll post said option on my site when I get home today).  

Thoughts?

The more time I spend with pups, the more this career is becoming a necessity in my life. Could Doggy Care be a permanent (well, as permanent as it gets in my books) addition to my career? I’m heavily considering how important this has become. Who knew that the start-up profession I picked would become an integral part of my career bliss? You never know what you’re going to find at the end – or in this case, the beginning - of the rainbow.

Till tmrw, friends! (I am off to walk ‘em now),

Amy

P.S. I got RECOGNIZED yesterday as AMY-of-all-trades!!! Things are really starting to pick up. FUN!

Business Woman Stigma

Okay so, here it is – I have a bad taste in my mouth about the business world.

 There, I said it. I am afraid of what being a business woman means. Upon further reflection of the aforementioned (and very legitimate) “queasy feeling” last night, I am admitting that I have a stigma attached to the word ‘business’.

 It seems that, for whatever reason, I link two words with business: unauthentic and greed. These are by no means complimentary terms. I picture that person who walks down their fancy stone driveway, gets in their Lexus (or what-have-ya), drives to work in their suit and sits at an office with a view. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with this at all for some people, but it’s just not what I’m after in a career. I don’t need excess anything. Sure, enough money to live to my comfort level would be very, very nice… but the moment making money becomes more important than the value I gain from the job, it becomes not worth it for one like me.

 I wonder… Is there a new generation of business hybrids who wade between being the ritzy and money-hungry businessperson, and living a life of low incomes, not because you don’t like money, but to satisfy your moral obligations to the community? There must be.

 Toughts? Comment or email me your opinion!

 P.S. Just read this over and am more aware than ever that I have a very negative relationship with the word business and all it entails (not that you guys didn’t understand that from the post). Perhaps taking on the belly sling project will give me new insight into all that is business…? HELP!

 Aaaaaaaaah,

 Amy