Passionate People

“He thought about doing something good and profitable with his life, something con smania. . .”

—Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan

Beyond the editing/writing services, the events, the book sales, Indigo Fox represents people who are true to their passions—people who write or work or live con smania—with passion.   Many authors write because they are passionate, or they begin that way. “I write because it’s impossible not to,” I’ve heard many authors say.  Or, “I couldn’t rest until the story was on paper.”  Which brings me to a second interpretation of the Italian word, smania:  frenzy, itch, desperation.  Absent any tangible payoff (unless you become a “commercial success,”) writing is such a tortured profession, it might well be considered a frenzied act of desperation.

But passion/smania isn’t exclusive to writers. People become teachers, social workers, booksellers, even parents, because they choose paths that feed their passions. And they embrace talents and interests with little regard to monetary reward.  They throw pots; they read palms; they raise sheep and make sweaters from the wool; they study the Talmud; they learn sign language; they knit poppies for charity; they bake bread and make wine and brew beer; they take improv classes or flying lessons or play bongo drums; they learn all there is to know about a small village in a country they may never visit. They write. They become consumed by their passions against all logic.

Many of us discover our passions when we reach the point in life where we have the time and the resources to indulge ourselves.  Others are courageous (or bull-headed or driven) enough to know from a young age that living con smania is the kindest favor to oneself as a human being.  And because we are human, our passions can and often do evolve, morph or take drastic turns down the winding road that life serves up.

This page is dedicated to feeding one’s soul, to the strength of the creativity inherent in each of us and to living con smania.   If you are one of these passion-driven souls, or you know someone who is, write me, in 1000 words or less, and your essay will be considered for publication on this site.  Submit to:  ellen@indigofoxevents.com.