Happy to Be Here
The writing business is hard. We all know that. I covered it, sort of, in one of my first ever newsletters—I said you had to be a roach. Keep going. Keep surviving. Keep writing.
On one hand, I’m not what you call a successful writer. I’ve had my moments: published by Random House, the number 1 overall book on Barnes and Noble one day, starred reviews and award nominations. But nothing that is lasting or making me a New York Times bestseller. I just, kind of am, I go on streaks where I put out a bunch of books and then I take years off.
It seems to be my process. Or my lot in the writing life. Who knows?
It is.
And sometimes, I can let it get to me. Wish I was bigger. Wish I was more successful. I have my dreams and my wants. I’ve vocalized and visualized them: hardback publication and movie rights sold are two big ones. That those dreams haven’t happened yet can get to me.
But, not today. Not lately.
I’m sitting here on a Tuesday night writing this after working on an outline of something I’m very excited for (VAGUE NEWSLETTERING). You’re going to read this on a Wednesday around lunchtime, because, eyes. And well, I’m sitting here kind of buzzing.
Not only because I’m excited about this new work, but because…I get to do this. In that way, I’m a successful writer. I’ve been published. I’ve been award nominated and well reviewed. I get to do this. I enjoy the process. Taking the time to come up with big plot twists and knowing there is at least a decent chance that someone who is not a family member will read it!
How cool is that?
I guess what I’m saying is: I’m happy to be here. I’m content. Too often, we writers can go into a shell when things don’t go our way and, we can whine about it, online. It’s easy, we’ll get some sympathy likes or something.
But you know what?
I’m happy. I am writing. I am doing the thing I’ve always dreamed of. Maybe I’ll never be Derek Jeter, but I’ve had that cup of coffee in the big leagues.
And I’m going to keep writing. I get to do this. Awesome.
Take the wins where you can get them.
What Am I Reading?
I just finished Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart which I loved. I read it in about a weekend and it is such a fun and twisty tale. Tons of action and a fresh take on the hitman novel. Track this one down.
Also, I finished The Kind Worth Saving by Peter Swanson on audio. It was a hoot. Plenty of twists and turns in that one too.
Check ‘em out.