The Tough Truth about Talent

For those of you who haven't watched the amazing video of Susan Boyle's singing performance for Britain's Got Talent, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY, it's worth it to have a look. This unassuming, unattractive lady who is initially scoffed at for dreaming of a singing career, belts out a tune that is nothing less of heartrending. A lesson is here for those of us who judge a book by its cover or imagine that talent comes in any predefined or stereotyped package. In so many fields today, especially the creative ones that are so competitive, the only edges that people can get are who they know or how they look. It's sad but true. So much talent is out there waiting to be recognized that never will be.

Performers are particularly judged by their looks, and, in some fields, such as fashion, youth is a criteria for success. Writers, however, often pen their first famous works after they retire from other careers and, while a nice cover photo is great, it's not essential nor is a model-perfect figure or appearance for book tours. Still, writing talent is not often measured fairly and accurately by editors, publishers, and agents. It is not an easy task to weed out the chafe from the wheat, so to say when there are so many manuscripts vying for attention and promotion.

So how is true talent recognized and identified? How do you know if you have what it takes to shine in a world where so many wannabe stars can block your light? Think back to your childhood. What hobbies and pasttimes did you enjoy most? Did you ever have teachers compliment you especially on one of your creations or projects? Were you particularly proud of your achievements in one field? Is there something today that you still dabble in and that co-workers or friends admire? Although talent needs to be nutured, it usually is inborn. Many artists and musicians come from families of people with similar talent, although it's not purely a genetic inheritance. Often, it is being exposed to certain pursuits from an early age. For instance, most great pianists start lessons early. But not all those who begin young become virtuosos. The seed has to be there. but so does a great deal of hard work and luck.

For myself, I've always loved to write. I was encouraged by family members and teachers to continue writing and expressing myself with words. But most of what I wrote, I wrote for myself. I enjoyed seeing some of it in print in college when I wrote for my college newspaper and later when I wrote for pet magazines. But when I finally decided to self publish my romance novel, "Cloudy Rainbow," it was a different ballgame. I didn't expect to become an overnight talent or grow rich by the copies that were sold. And, of course, neither scenario has taken place. I'm glad my work is out there and am hoping to continue writing. I'm also hoping it will be recognized by a traditional publisher or an agent eventually. Like Susan Boyle, you just never know. You have to keep trying to live your dream and polishing your talent no matter what the initial reactions are.

When it Rains, it Pours, literally and virtually

Have you ever had a really bad week full of really bad news? I know we all get those once in awhile, and this past week was my turn. It started when my mom informed me her cat 16-year old cat passed away. I felt bad for her because I knew what she was going through and although the cat hadn't been mine, I'd known him since he was a kitten. It also brought back the loss of my Floppy who will be gone two years this fall and whom was the both the inspiration for my book, "Cloudy Rainbow," and the pet memorial center I operate in Second Life.

The week continued with bad news. I learned a long-term patron at the library where I worked who was also a good friend had succumbed to the Cancer she was trying to fight. I had seen the woman less than a month ago. We had shared a smile and a hug. You just never know.

A few other less noteworthy things occurred both at work and at home that added to my rotten week, and then the week was topped off with a message from an online friend that both surprised and saddened me. I was surprised both by the message and my feelings about it. For the purposes of this blog piece, the circumstances don't matter. It just meant that my online correspondence with this person would change and possibly cease. Have others experienced this, I wondered? Have you ever really come to depend on the support and friendship of someone you've never met but someone you email or chat with on a regular basis over the Internet? I imagine this occurs occasionally if not commonly as our society has become so reliant on computers and more people are still lonely even if they have real life friends and family.

In my book, "Cloudy Rainbow," my main character also becomes involved with someone she meets online in a virtual world who she later learns is someone who is actually part of her real life. In a turnabout, the feelings she develops with this person online transfer to her real life relaltionship with him. When I wrote this, I wasn't basing this on any of my own experiences, even though many other events in the book are fictionalized fact. But now that this has happened to me, in a different yet similar way, I can relate. Another acquaintance I have in Second Life recently wrote a column for RezLibris, the library magazine I co-publish, saying that people often reveal more of themselves online and can become as close if not closer than in real life because they are more transparent, having only their words to share with one another. I had never thought about this, but I now see it is very true.

So while I mourn for my mom's cat and a library patron friend, I also mourn the friendship of someone I'd never met in person but whose friendship meant a great deal to me.

When it rains, it pours, literally and virtually. I hope next week is better.