Artists & Arrogance: The Importance Of Developing A Strong Ego
The human ego is a sword and shield.
It is the protector of the psyche, and thus must be built to defend an individual’s self-esteem. Without the fortress of ego, a person’s concept of self can be easily made to shatter against the ridicule of others.
Negative suggestions, slights, and overt aggression, are but a few forms that contend a man’s ego throughout the journey of his life. As the further one tries to climb, the more enemies will arrive. Not necessarily people, but doubts, setbacks, and disappointments are oftentimes the real culprits of failure.
In my experience, my sister and I received over a thousand rejections against our books. Our parents chastised us for nearly a decade. While friends and family alike, gazed upon our efforts with indifference.
In sports, you have a coach, teammates, a strong support network, and trainers. There are people constantly rooting for you, delivering praise and congratulations. With the arts, more specifically, writing, there are none of these things. The rewards are few, and the work is hard. Criticism lies around every corner, and camaraderie does not exist. Even other writers hope you fail or quit. As they see you as the “other,” “the enemy,” the competitor who might steal away their nonexistent book deal.
Thus, large egos are paramount to producing books. Works of which don’t sell, no one buys, and the world consistently ignores or ridicules.
Truth be told, if an artist’s ego cracks or shatters, it’ll often spell the end of them. Whether that be through self-destruction (alcohol, drugs, etc…,) depression, or sometimes even suicide.
Hello! We’re D.J. Hoskins
We are Davena and Jason Hoskins, co-authors of 30+ books and siblings who write under the pseudonym D.J. Hoskins. Three years apart and in our twenties, we have been fascinated by stories from a young age. Davena is a student attending Princeton University, and Jason attends Georgetown University.
