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• Wednesday, April 25, 2007 08:08 AM

  It's not too late

  If you want to create, then create! But as previous posters said, don't do it to become rich or famous, because the odds of that happening are very slim indeed. Do it because you love it, because it changes you, makes you become more of who you truly are, opens new vistas for you, lets you know your own soul. That's what it's about, LW.

  For me it's writing & art. I'm 53, published a couple of fantasy novels in my 20s, and picked up a paintbrush for the first time a couple of years ago. There's no gallery exhibit in my future, but I'm enjoying myself, I'm learning a lot, and I've discovered a real talent for collage that I'm nurturing & exploring. Meanwhile, I'm working on a new novel, which may or may not get published. There are no guarantees & I certainly don't ask for any. The work should be its own reward.

  If you're the only one who ever hears your music, you've already accomplished something: you've followed through & been true to your dream of creative work. If only a few other people hear it & like it, you're already ahead of the game. Anything more is gravy. Most likely, unattainable gravy.

  As for those mindless drones ... look a little more deeply, LW. They're people, just like you, with dreams & fears & losses & hopes, just like you. Get rid of that delusion about The Artiste vs. The Robot. Wallace Stevens wrote astonishing poetry while working in an insurance office. If you can create music that's even 1/100 as good as his poems, you'll be remarkable.

  But you'll never know unless you actually start creating the music. Now.

  —Tim Lukeman Read Tim Lukeman's other letters
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