2013 has been a banner year for many of my artistic Facebook friends. Betty Dravis is writing a script for the film, 6 Packs of Blood. Katie Kelly has snagged a big agent for her upcoming book; Madeline Roosevelt has received an award for her work as a make-up artist. Yoly Fivas has completed a new book, as have Mykal Lewis and Nikki Broadwell. Carola Dunn’s cozy mysteries are being translated and published overseas. Susan Stoner’s detective series featuring Sage Adair has been picked up by a distributer and sales are booming. Jody Seay and Bob Greenwade had their plays produced recently. Nor have the visual arts been under represented on my social networking page. John Legry’s creations have caught the eye of an art distributor. David Delamare used Kickstarter to fund his new illustrated book of Alice in Wonderland and raised $35,000 in a matter of days. Michael Orwick sold all of his paintings at a recent gallery showing. And last but not least, a former student of mine, Brad Mersereau has won an award for his musical compositions. All in all a pretty successful year for a number of my Facebook friends and I congratulate them all.
Before the year closes, I have an announcement of my own to make. I have just signed a contract with Portland, Oregon’s Post5 Theatre Company to produce of my play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast. It will be performed during its 2015 theatrical season. Needless to say, I am thrilled.
At this point, I think it advisable to write words of encouragement to those who are waiting to have their art acknowledged. Luck, as I’ve so often written, plays a large role in personal success. But one other tool exists that serves almost as well. Persistence. This path is more arduous than receiving a gift from fate, I admit. But if you are willing to bleed for your craft; if you demand no less than the best of yourself; if you can accept criticism with a grateful heart yet ignore the slings and arrows of unfeeling remarks and carry on, then Persistence will bring you to your destination. How do I know? Because I began my work on Woman on the Scarlet Beast in 1986. For 27 years I’ve fought to see this play accepted. That day has come. So, I say to anyone who feels he or she is standing in the wings, have faith in yourself. You can find your way.
(Courtesy of www.printerest.com)
