Quality, Not Quantity

Quality, not quantity.

That's what's necessary for a fulfilling life...and a successful creative pursuit. 

I need to make quality time to produce quality writing. 

I recently watched a fascinating PBS documentary on the life of Harper Lee, author of the incredible To Kill a Mockingbird. She has published only this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, a masterpiece that changed the literary world with its indelible statement on racism. One of the greatest novels-and films-of all time. She made time to produce it, taking a leave of absence from her job to focus entirely on writing. And then her life was forever changed, though she has apparently tried to resume a normal life, continuously shunning fame and recognition.

So, why hasn't she written any other novels? Too much pressure? Has she been creatively blocked? Perhaps she only had this one book in her...but what a book! 

That's a great example to follow. 

So many popular writers (Danielle Steel, Jackie Collins, Nicholas Sparks, I'm thinking of you) churn out book after book, seemingly on autopilot, often forsaking quality for quantity, to meet the requirements of a contract and the demands of the public. All to meet society's constant demand: What have you done for me lately? 

The worth of so many famous artists is judged based on their latest output. Take a break, and your audience will often abandon you, moving on to the latest similar artist. Perhaps that's one of the pitfalls of fame. (I wouldn't know.) Quality is expected, but quantity (always more, more, more) is demanded, often at quality's expense. Some artists may have only a few good paintings, stories, photographs, films, or performances. Does that make them lesser artists than ones who constantly produce less-than-great results? 

The important thing for any artist is to follow your own path, not allowing competition or comparisons to change your course. The quickest way to tear yourself down is to compare yourself to someone who seemingly is more and has more.

You're not that person. 

You're not meant to be that person.

You're you.

You're meant to be you.