A week or so ago, I did something that is uncharacteristic for me.
See, I love photoshop and studio art. I’ve quietly been working on a few fantasy maps and book covers on the side, but not really shouting about it. It was just a little hobby because I think playing with images is fun. And I’ve done all of my own covers and maps. I create Facebook and Twitter images for stress relief.
But I wanted more.
I’d considered doing covers and maps a distraction from writing. But as I’ve learned more about covers, I’ve become passionate about making them. And suddenly, I was wishing myself back to high school days when I was studying studio art and passed up the opportunity to take graphic art. WHY?!?
If I’d not considered computer art secondary… if I’d learned Photoshop when it was new and realized a passion for it in my 20’s to study it in college …? Instead, I graduated with an undergraduate degree in studio art and English. Studio art, like real brushes on real paper and a lot harder to reproduce (and messier too!).
And now, decades (eep!) later, I was regretting that choice.
I felt too old to learn to model 3D characters for covers, too overwhelmed with writing to jump into a full premade cover design website and business. It was too late.
What the F**k?
Lol. Okay, my thoughts might have been more along the lines of hearing the exact excuses writers I’ve coached have given me. They are “too old” to start a career in writing. They have “too much on their plate” to write. You know what I told them?
Just do it. Start. Try. Who knows how long you have. It if brings you pleasure, embrace it, go for it, love life. None of us know how long we have. Stop living in fear and live in passion.
So I took my own advice!
And as soon as I admitted how much I wanted to create amazing covers and recognized that feeling like it is too late or too much is not a typical trait of mine, a lot of random interactions became stepping stones to something new. I realized I didn’t need a website. I could hold cover auctions on Facebook for premade fantasy covers without investing in the time to create a whole new platform with dozens and dozens of covers. I just needed a few at a time to sell in a group catering to authors.
I started designing covers for a big launch event where I’d auction off 5 covers. Hey, I know ALL about launching things (like books!) I worked up the courage to introduce myself to the cover artists I followed to see if they’d join me at a weekend event (they said yes!). I found other groups where you can list covers for sale. So many things have fallen into place.
This is really happening.
Because I took the leap and tried. Like I’ve told so many authors. Try because paths will open that you’d never see if you stayed where you are. So I guess this post is a push for following your dreams.