Welcome or welcome back! On to episode five, the penultimate in this series! If you’d like to hear me read this, then click here: (Music by FASSounds and Music_Unlimited from Pixabay.)
4 minute read
The villainous dictator sat smug on his throne. His weapon of cruelty and control a mere finger push away. He could end this muse; this fiery passion of creativity with a simple flick of a switch. No more artistry for that creative. Another one smite down, smothered; all energy sapped. His laugh echoed from the depths of his being amplified by his cavernous lair.
Come on creative! You’re sat there thinking that you are powerless. Your muse kidnapped and your niche refusing to return, out there in the cold, isolated and exiled. Did you ever consider that the master criminal behind this is in actual fact the thoughts in your mind?
These thoughts can certainly cripple us, whether fuelled by our internal experiences or external forces. I have read so many articles about needing a niche for your writing. Some advise that you can’t really develop and progress without one, whilst others say go ahead and write anyway.
Trying to find my niche did slow my progress for a while. I thought I was doing well. I had written loads of poems. The problem came when I felt I had to define myself by deciding on a niche. What is it that I write about? What do I want to share and how? Writing the bio and synopsis for my book took me ages as I tried to sum up my work.
I really did feel like my niche was out there somewhere but I didn’t know whether it would suddenly appear or if I had to go hunting for it. Was I keeping it captive somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind?
Let’s examine the word niche though:
“comfortable or suitable position”
“specialised segment of the market”
(Google dictionary)
So if the first definition alludes to comfort then that really doesn’t resonate with me. My writing was not birthed from a place of comfort. I have had to work at this and the themes of my poems certainly don’t reflect comfortable times in my life - more around overcoming the not so comfortable times. And suitable; come on now. This is a trigger. Am I suitable? Do I fit in? Am I up to standards? Am I good enough? Right enough? I am not going down that rabbit hole. I am here to stand out not to fit in and I won’t evolve if I subscribe to external (and internal) judgement.
The second definition just frightens me. Specialised? But doesn’t that mean that I need to be experienced, skilled and knowledgable? No one starts off like that.
Can you see how these definitions could potentially stop you even getting started? And if you did get started, you might feel obligated to stay in the same lane forever. Creativity shackled. No thanks.
My best writing takes the stage spontaneously. Those words are always waiting in the wings ready to weave a wonderful performance under the spotlights. Inspiration strikes me from out of the blue. Sure, I can write from a prompt or a theme but I still need that freedom to flow. I refuse to limit my writing range.
But just like life, if I choose to write how I want, when I want and about what I want, I may close some doors. There needs to be some structure to balance the free flow. Writing as with any art needs practice, specific input and focus. Whether you are writing for leisure or really wanting to make a career out of it, at some point you make choices.
Sow your writing oats, play around, explore and see what captures your heart. You are not tied in. Sure you can make a commitment to a certain niche but there is no small print. You can change your mind. Don’t jump ship at the sight of the first wave though. Persevere. You will find a niche and you may decide to change it at some point. Because you can.
Get your James Bond gadgets out and bring that niche back in from the cold! If they have been captured by the swirling thoughts of lack and limitation in your mind, go rescue them from that megalomanic ego that is always trying to usurp your plans. You have got this. No niche does not mean no start. Start. And start again. And keep starting over.
The takeaway:
Niche or no niche, you can still write. It’s YOUR choice.
Next time:
Foiled again: why do I keep on failing?
Listen to the poem here:
Expression is massive Creating magic For the masses Who crave a break From the mundane So sick of the same Praying for the assembly line Of the blue pill life of strife To stutter, stall, disintegrate Be slashed with a knife Flying in from the realms Of inspiration, authenticity And total dedication Come the whizzing word wizards Playful poets Seductive speakers Sparking total admiration Whirling wands of wisdom Spouting spells of rhyme Stories of lives well lived Enchanting, enthralling Sublime and Divine. © 2022 Sarah Elliott (Prompt taken from IG @spoken.lyrik)
When we write from a place
of humility, our voices stay true. Our words take many circuitous routes, and our passions evolve and shift. Honor the flow. Refuse to be pigeon-holed.