Passion Vs. Trends: Why Most Creators Feel Lost (and How to Stay True to Your Work)

In this article, I want to talk to creators — whether you’re a writer, musician, dancer, visual artist, or someone who simply creates for the love of it. This is a piece about self-discovery, about understanding why we create, and how we can balance passion with trends in our work.

What Does It Mean to Be a Creator?

Being a creator can mean so many things. You might be a musician who lives for the thrill of composing a song, a writer who spends nights weaving stories, or an artist who pours emotions into every stroke of a brush. The point is, creation itself is the unifying factor. But here’s the question: why do we create? Is it for joy, expression, or because we hope someone notices?

Understanding Passion

Passion is what makes creation meaningful. It’s not just about doing something; it’s about wanting to do it. Passion is the emotional drive behind your work — the energy that keeps you writing, painting, or performing even when no one is watching. When you create from passion, your work has heart. It resonates. People can feel it because it’s genuine. Even if you’re using AI to assist your creativity, passion matters. What counts is the emotional investment you put into your work. That’s what makes it authentic. That’s what lasts.

The Role of Trends

Trends, on the other hand, are everywhere. They’re the popular topics, the genres or styles that seem to get attention fast. Take writing, for example: broad genres like romance or fantasy always exist, but certain subgenres — like LitRPG — can suddenly become incredibly popular over a specific period of time and later fade. Many creators chase trends because it promises virality or short-term success. That’s not bad in itself. The problem arises when creation becomes purely transactional — when you’re making something because it’s popular rather than because it inspires you. Without passion, the work can feel hollow.

Passion-Driven vs. Trend-Driven Creation

Let’s compare:

Trend-driven work can get recognition fast. It may provide steady income and exposure. But it can also become pressure-filled and leave you unfulfilled if you’re not emotionally invested. Passion-driven work may take longer to be discovered, but it carries authenticity. It has depth, emotional resonance, and the potential for lasting impact — even posthumously. The best-case scenario is when passion and trends overlap. Then, you can enjoy your work while also gaining attention. But that alignment is rare, and forcing it often backfires.

Original Works vs. Fanfiction

For writers, original works are deeply personal. They reflect your unique vision but often struggle to find an audience initially. Fanfiction, on the other hand, can attract readers quickly because it builds on worlds and characters people already love. Still, even if I don’t want to admit it, fanfiction can be just as passion-driven if you genuinely love the source material. Many creators start with fanfiction, then transition to original works once they’ve built a readership. It’s a strategy, but one that can still honor your creative instincts. For me, I personally avoid publishing fanfiction, even though I could create engaging arcs or even a series if I tried. I don’t like borrowing characters from other creators for published works. Instead, I may indulge in fanfiction privately — writing “what-if” scenarios in my mind or occasionally for a YouTube concept — but I never use them for stories I formally publish. (Free platforms like Wattpad and Royal Road are included in that.) That’s just my preference. So, if you’re like me and creating original works like Celestic Warriors, which no one is aware of yet, it may take a long time to get noticed. Sometimes, it can even take a decade or longer unless you shamelessly — but gently — promote your story yourself, as I do. Even then, social media algorithms can be unforgiving for beginners (trust me, I know), which can make promotion feel useless unless you already have a sizable following somewhere. Now you may ask: “Won’t engaging with others help?” Well, my friend, the blunt truth is — it’s not a good idea to expect that. It depends on many factors, which I’ll discuss in another article.

Publishing and Creative Freedom

Traditional publishing can require compromises: editors might ask you to change plots, characters, or language, which can dilute your original vision. Self-publishing takes patience, but it gives you independence. You maintain control over your work and can be proud of what you’ve created. Even if recognition takes years, the pride of creating something on your own terms is unmatched. That’s the true reward of passion-driven work.

Trends Are Useful, But Passion is Key

Trends can help you survive, earn, and gain short-term visibility. But passion is what brings fulfillment, joy, and legacy. People can feel whether your work is created from genuine love or just strategy. And in the long run, work born from passion tends to last longer, resonate deeper, and leave a meaningful mark. So, as a creator, prioritize what makes your heart feel alive. Follow trends only if they align with your passion, but never let them dictate your path. When you create with heart, your work carries emotion. That’s what matters most. Even if the world doesn’t notice immediately, even if recognition takes years, creating from passion ensures your journey is meaningful — and that your legacy, when it arrives, is unforgettable. (And maybe, just make trends rather than following them.)