Do It For The Thing Itself

In undertaking any endeavor, do it for the thing itself.
Do it because it is important to you, not for the possible rewards of fame and fortune.
The reward is the creation, and you may or may not get paid for your talent. I
I know about writing songs and stories. I am not famous, except maybe in my town, and that could very well mean infamy instead of fame.
I'm a bit of a loner which works out well for writing.
I've written and self published Hip and Broke: A Songwriter's Journey and only ever sold copies to myself!
Still it is magical holding your book in your hands.
If you want to publish a book, you can do it for free on the internet as an e-book on Smashwords.
If you are like me, and want to hold your own book in your hands, I use Lulu. I can buy my own book for about $7. and it is print on demand so you can order one or one hundred. There are other sites but I never used them because they cost more up front. I can handle $7.

It's Too Late Only When You're Dead

I come from an eccentric family of writers.

In fact my 91 year old father just published a book called Plucked Again! available through Smashwords if you are interested...

This book with the giant talking chicken has caused a lot of ruckus within the family.

Readers, writers, and critics, all, one sister threw it down after a few pages and flat out told my father she hated it, two of us dutifully read it and told him it was "nice", but to write his next book. We blame my eldest sister, a  very successful poet who lives in England. She liked it.

I accused her of being sentimental. Did you have to encourage him that much?

This was 30 years ago, and he did write a great memoir about serving in WWII on a hospital ship, but other than that we've been enduring his surety that Plucked Again is his hit novel!

I have my father's tenacity, and I have learned from both my wacky parents that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.

I am broke as a Church mouse, but I know all about chasing my dreams and not letting my age stop me.

I was thirty when I confided in my eldest sister. I was sad I never pursued singing.
She looked at me in surprise and told me at 30 nothing is too late!

I started playing guitar and found out I had a knack for writing songs, and eventually played solo and in bands, opening for Sister Hazel, Eric Johnson, G. Love and the Special Sauce and other famous people.

I almost did it again.

I thought I was too old to keep chasing, but I'm not out for the count yet.

I have music to make! Projects to complete! I have things to do!

Sure, time is ticking, but it's not too late until you're dead.

PS My 86 year old mother took up tai chi.