Do You Have Van Gough Syndrome?
Why do you really write?
Are you disillusioned by only a few followers, views, and reads?
I am proud of myself. I joined Vocal Media in September, and this is my 30th story, and I now have 14 followers.
Chicken feed to some, but for me at least, it is a start. It represents ten stories a month.
The downside is that I have yet to earn $1.00 in total earnings.
My intent with Vocal Media was to use this as a platform for poetry. I had not delved into poetry much and saw it as a new frontier in writing. Vocal seemed the perfect place for this.
Sixteen of my 30 stories on Vocal are poems. Lately, I have been putting some of my better stories from my website and other platforms I write for onto Vocal.
I keep telling myself I do it for reasons other than money, but we would all like to hit the jackpot once or twice. I would even be happy with a booby prize.
I read stories about how much someone makes each month or how they hit a thousand followers. It can get very depressing.
My advice is, don't do it.
They will depress you, and when you are starting out, you do not need to hear about how well someone else is doing. The exceptions are those who offer genuine advice on how to improve writing. These stories are not focused on poetry, from my experience.
I read their stories, and I am not saying they are not good, but I do not see a huge difference. Some of their success is due to how they market themselves.
Good products sell themselves. During my working career, I did everything except sales. I joked with people that I was too honest!
I was ready to change my approach. I wanted to market my stories better. Then, it struck me: maybe I have 'Van Gough syndrome.'
Vincent Willem Van Gough
Most people are familiar with Vincent Willem Van Gough. He was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter. He is one of the most famous and influential figures in Western art.
In just over a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks. This included around 860 oil paintings, most of which were done in the last two years of his life.
However, he sold only one painting during his lifetime, the Red Vineyard. It went for 400 francs at a Brussels exhibition in 1890, four months before his suicide.
Van Gough didn't start painting until he was twenty-seven. He died at thirty-seven. So, it's not surprising that he sold few paintings.
He produced his most famous paintings in 1888, two years before his death, after he went to Arles, France. These included Starry Night, Sunflowers, Self-Portrait, The Potato Eaters, and Wheatfield with Crows.
His art became well-known worldwide just after his death. He became one of the most famous artists of all time.
His most expensive painting, Orchard with Cypresses, sold for a record $117 million in 2022.
Van Gough Syndrome
Maybe I will be like Van Gough and my works will not become famous until I am dead. Maybe they will never be famous.
The point is that, although that would be nice, I don't care. It is not my number one priority to make money. I don't think that Van Gough did either.
He painted to express himself and because he enjoyed it.
So my question to you is, "Do you have Van Gough syndrome?"
Isn't the real purpose of writing to express yourself?
If not, your well-marketed products will earn you money. But will they satisfy your deep urge?
For me, I either need to move to France or ensure that my stories are in my will.
Till next time, thanks for reading my story.
Calvin
About the Creator
Calvin London
I write fiction, non-fiction and poetry about all things weird and wonderful, past and present. Life is full of different things to spark your imagination. All you have to do is embrace it - join me on my journey.
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Comments (18)
Wise words. I joined Vocal to Like & Comment on my daughter’s stories, then she convinced me to have a go at writing. I now have as much fun reading stories/poems from other creators & commenting, as I do writing. I/m a reader at heart!🤗
This is such a deeply honest and thoughtful discussion- I greatly appreciate your call to create out of the genuine inner passion for it, rather than the shallower distractions of money and attention. A convicting and heartfelt message, carefully crafted around a discussion of one of the most influential artists to ever live. Bravo for this wonderful piece, Calvin! I really appreciated it. :)
Congratulations on emerging writer! ✍️ 🎉👏🥳 Much success on. vocal!
Very true. You have to keep it up for your own intrinsic reward. The money would be nice, but it can't be your soul motivator. If my motivation were money, I would not be happy with the quality of my work.
Dear, sir! You won first place, I didn't realize at first... I mean, huge congrats to you ✨😃 You deserve it for sure 🤗
Wow! Congratulations on winning 1st place for Best Emerging Creator 🎉🎉✨ You've done a wonderful job👍
Back to say congratulations on placing first for Best Emerging Creator on this week's leaderboard with this piece. Well done.
Really awesome article I was shocked that he only sold One in his lifetime I knew he died a pauper and felt like a failure but holy crap Thoroughly enjoyed this Congratulations
This is just what I needed to hear today. I love van Gough, very inspiring I also write poetry, struggling with few reads. But I write because the words keep coming. Maybe one day it’ll click with someone, till then…..thanks for the inspiration and encouragement. Congratulations on your top story. I have happily subscribed
These are definitely the words I needed to hear! Sometimes it's hard not to pressure ourselves into doing more just to get more followers, more reads, and more money. As long as we enjoy writing, that should be all that matters. Congrats on your Top Story! 🎉
🎉 Congrats on getting Top Story—well deserved! 🌟 Keep up the amazing work! 💪✨
Enjoy the creative and therapeutic energy found in your writing - despite the number of reads or followers or pennies. Congratulations on a well-earned Top Story.
Congrats to top story 😊
Here, here! Very well put. There is an Andy Warhol quote that encapsulates this well too. I abide by it. Part of my creative armour if you like. To paraphrase: while others decide if it's art or not make more art.
Thank you for putting this so articulately! I've struggled with the same thing and I've been here since June of 22. It's so important to have that occasional reminder that it's not about the stats but the passion behind the stories. It ultimately doesn't matter if someone reads them, but as long as you are happy with the result, it's a comfort knowing your ideas and stories are out in the world. Keep going, friend!
You have one more follower now! I loved this, even if Im the guy who has spoke about gains. in my defence, it was more to show people they should celebrate acheivements big or small! I totally agree that you should anyone should write firstly because they want to! congrats on Top Story!
There is only one thing to do - write. And don't bother if you have followers, they will come. Just be Van Gough and paint your words on the pages, and we will read !!
I enjoyed reading your viewpoint on this very much. Actually I find it quite irritating when someone insists on banging on about how many reads they get or how much money they made because it shows me that they aren't writing for the love of the craft but just to be seen. You want to write, write. Stop throwing that twaddle in people's face. Anyway, obviously hit a nerve with this one 😂 I guess I write to say what I can't out loud even in fantasy pieces. Of course it is nice to get a genuine comment but the peace and/or joy that comes form doing it is the most important 💜 C x