I post my writings online and on my website: "fdthornton.com". My purpose is to entertain and help others who may be in the same situation. But sharing my work online and on social media can be a challenge. It's hard to know if my message is reaching anyone, so there's a constant debate in my mind about whether self-promotion contradicts the selfless act of creating art. But even with a small audience, I know my words have resonated with some people, and that's what keeps me going. I finally relented to using Google Ad Sense to monetize my site through ads. But as much as I hate pop ups, I worry that my few viewers will think the same way. But by putting them in I'm supposed to gain favor with Google Search and therefore gain more views. But is that the goal of doing what I do in the first place?
But I love my art, my words are my therapy. And all I wish to do is share my words freely with those that enjoy them. So while I'm all too familiar with branding and focusing on my niche market, I'm still a bit of a free spirit as it were. Because while some of my words may be poignant, I'm often given to moments of humor and cynicism. But still they are my words. And for a good chunk of my life I was miserable. Wearing a painted-on smile that my generation taught me to wear. Only to eventually break down both mentally and physically. By chasing down someone else's dream of success and happiness. By the world's standard I am considered a "loser," but it doesn't mean that I am. By rediscovering my craft I have learned that I am more than just a number. I am an artist with a story to tell and a passion to share, rather it makes me a dollar or not.