Not by my own rules but I've been living in Manhattan out a storage unit since 2017, shower/meditate @ gym, write a novel during the day, day-job at night, then get ZZZs on SOHO streets.
It's affordable. I live in Manhattan. And I'm working to be professionally published by a NYC Publishing House within the next three years, hence reason for wanting to be on scene. I'm 32
I know there are more conventional / logical ways to go about a thing, but you know.
And again, not by my own rules; everything outside how it seems is ordinary + demand law
If you have a storage unit why are you sleeping on the streets ? Or am I misreading?
I wish you the best of luck. I am friends with several published literary personalities and I can tell you it is not easy and took a lot longer than three years.
You are 'not allowed' to sleep in the storage unit, even though it is open 24 Hours. The guards keep tabs on who is in and out. And even if one could, I would still choose to sleep outside. I tell myself: "I'm just Urban Camping .."
Thanks for the wishes. I don't doubt it may take longer than three years. But I've been @ it for 10+ already & have written / self-published what I believe is a great novel (like everyone;) But am without marketing. (What I need's discovery)
And if nothing happens, I'll just self-publish over and again
Wow that's hilariously low and impressive. Good for you, I'm happy it's working out for you. Does that take into account the unit/gym and food, or just the facilities?
It's a hassle. But tell myself I make up for it not having to ever make the subway trek from other boroughs. (And doing writing, I feel strangely indebted to do the time ..)
I wake most days around 8 but sometimes sleep in. One morning, I woke up to a Jack-Hammer going off about 10 feet from my head. Once up, I get going.
Drop my sleeping pack @ the Storage Unit, hop a Citi Bike, ride to gym, shower, meditate in the Tanning Booth. Sometimes I run. Staying fit / eating healthy (for the most part) is critical. From there I go to Tea or Coffee and write, write, write, check Hacker News, write, write, write, write.
Day-Job.
Once finished, go back to storage unit, grab pack. If it's raining, will head for scaffolding. If not, will go to one of my favorite spots. And from there I'll look up to the skyscraper windows, flashing w/ TV or Christmas Trees or people having dinner and wonder how the heck they got up there ;)
It’s impressive... your dedication to the art, and your resilience. Sincerely hope you make it.
Had this discussion with an artist recently . He said to me that he’s not interested in a plan B, nor my thoughts about how to hedge the obvious risks in his life.
He said, he’ll make it, or he’ll pick up the pieces wherever he finds them at the end, and do something else.
It’s in a way embarrassing that what I find interesting about your story is the risk element and resilience. At the same time I know that risk is by far the least interesting perspective to it; yet the one that resonates most to comfortable sensibilities.
Thanks for your feedback + thoughts. (As well as to the OP & everyone else who makes HN great) It's the unique questions & introspective input - so native to this site - that make it worth participating in this community.
From your talk with the artist, it sounds he's essentially content with working on a portfolio as great & grand as he can to the end.
I think that's what we're all working on, albeit in our own way, whether it's through building a portfolio of Coding Languages to implement, or gathering a palette of experience to fuel our creativity. We all want those lightning-thoughts & Eureka Moments & to keep learning around the clock.
The "risk and resilience" elements may strike one's interest initially because they're at once, the most readily accessible to the imagination.
Without knowing any details or story-moments, the volatility element is obvious, and does sustain that thread of: 'What's next?"
However, imo, the most stellar instances so far have come from interactions with people along the way. (From mutually reaching out)
Talk to people - at random. If you wish to say something or participate, go for it. Be frank. Don't even think twice - just speak. That's what I'm really working on these days. It seems a default that we're all so guarded or shy or just don't want to enter 'uncharted territory of exchange'. But I sense there's worlds (multiverses;) of character in individuals that remain unexplored because we get stuck in the default for a lifetime.
On tough days, no matter what I'm going through, it helps me to remember: (1) To supersede my drama-rama (hence meditation) & (2) Be extra-open and curious about what I'm seeing take place around me - all happening newly and changing & miraculous all the time.
And when it comes to the grind, code or writing, get your kicks line X line ;)
It's affordable. I live in Manhattan. And I'm working to be professionally published by a NYC Publishing House within the next three years, hence reason for wanting to be on scene. I'm 32
I know there are more conventional / logical ways to go about a thing, but you know.
And again, not by my own rules; everything outside how it seems is ordinary + demand law