All of us struggle at one point or another with our passions. Sometimes the results of our passions are underappreciated. We have all been through it at one point or another. Those of us who are musicians, writers or other artists – are sometimes inclined to equate monetary success with actual success. On an internet post – 100 comments might mean less to you than $100. In the world of print media – and the ever elusive novel deal may never come… in your lifetime. How would you feel if you somehow knew your writing would pay off in the future? Meanwhile you have to live this lifetime, trying to put to bed the doubters and the self-doubt. Working a job you don’t like – just so you can write on your time off.

Few of us will ever be a Dan Brown or Stephen King. But what would you rather – a huge legacy like Poe or temporary gratification in this life? Sure you would be dead and not know that you’re writing lives on – but I’m sure somewhere Plato’s spirit is happy every time a first year university student is forced to read his writing.

Below are a few writers who either had no or limited success in life – only to be discovered by future generations.

Plato

Plato is a little like including Jesus might be on this list – but Jesus didn’t write anything. Plato had a small group of followers – probably a little more sticky than your twitter followers – but small none the less. After he died his writing became significantly culturally important and is studied at Universities the world over.

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Franz Kafka

Most of his works were published after he died and against his wishes. He has asked that his writing not be release and some say burned. His friend published it anyway. Anyone who ever spent a night or two pondering Kafka has his disloyal friend to thank.

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Emily Dickinson

Dickinson was a shut in who published a handful of poems in her life. It was after she died that her family realized how prolific her writing really was. They ended up publishing it – now we all know what happens inside the head of a girl who doesn’t leave her room.

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Edgar Allen Poe

Poe is the most famous struggling writer. He lived and died in the gutter (they found him in the street dead in Baltimore). He had some pieces published – but nobody was receptive to them. It wasn’t until he was dead that his work began to be appreciated.

Their are many more examples such as the author of the "Girl with the dragon tattoo" - they had another author carry on his series. The point is - if you are born to write or make music or art or whatever - do it no matter the reward. Some of the greatest people in the world weren't recognized in their lifetime. If you can even have a modicum of success on a platform like Steemit - you are further ahead then even Edgar Allen Poe!