I recently heard the phrase “Keep Turning Up” by a preacher. He was referencing faith and belief which are two important factors when it comes to the creative life. You have to have a certain amount (or bucketfuls) of faith and belief in your art and in yourself to “keep turning up”. Resilience is another word that comes to mind. And with all that comes, without question, a considerable amount of doubt. But I think doubt is something that can sharpen you, if you allow it, if you don’t let it beat you down. That’s the key.
The above quote is by Indian journalist Shubhankar Mishra. As a writer, you have to keep sending your work out, while continuing to create new work. That’s the key to balancing the doubt. When your next rejection comes in, you absorb it, mourn it, pick up the pieces and do your utmost best to move on.
Back in January, I had a reading of my play WAVES and from that, I did some re-writing on the script. Once those re-writes were complete and I felt satisfied, I decided to let the script go and start sending the play out. WAVES has been sent to some of the following organizations with more to come:
And in the months ahead, there will be places like specific theatre companies I will send the play to. This is all done in the belief that WAVES will garner some attention by getting more eyes on the script and drumming up more interest in this play that tackles issues of grief, loss, love, difficult partings, new romances, newborns and the challenge of what it means to move on in life.
It’s a play I believe in. It’s a play I have high hopes for. It’s a play that will undoubtedly crush me when the rejections trickle in. And trust me, they will. They always do. Rejection never fails to rear its head. It is a constant in this creative endeavor. If you’re not prepared for that, those crushing blows can set you way back. I know they have me. Those blows can prevent you from writing something new. They leave you lethargic and cripple your creative juices. And make you doubt your abilities. But that is why you have to keep turning up. And keep finding the joy in the work, despite the rejection. That balance is tricky and easier said than done. Take for instance last year. In 2024, I sent out my play ANIMAL to countless companies, competitions, organizations, etc… Not one yes out of the bunch. Not. One. There was certainly some positive feedback, pats on the back, encouragement, but not one yes. This journey is not for the weary, but neither is life. We’re all in it. So keep turning up. Lean in.
I like what writer Samuel Beckett said. I’ll leave you with his words of wisdon until next time:
Keep on submitting your work Romeo. You are most creative. You never know when you have the creative work in front of you.
I always find great reassurance in your “musings”. Life is filled with the ups and downs and you are so right to emphasize the fact that instead of being downcast and discouraged and tempted to throw in the towel we just have to keep “showing up”!
Well done, Romeo. Keep up the good work!
Hey Rome, this is another great post with a very good point. As my business mentor told me, the people who “make it” are the ones who keep showing up and just never quit. It’s certainly hard to keep turning up when it’s so easy to quit, but that has certainly opened up a new and exciting journey for me over and over again.
I’ve also noticed that when I keep turning up, and I allow the people around me “quit” if they want, then eventually I don’t have many “quitters” around me anymore, so it becomes easier to keep turning up. Now most people in my life are such a very positive group of people who are as “determined” as I am and those kind of people who keep turning up.
Thanks again for writing all these posts, they are something I really get inspired by.