What’s Next for Yours Truly

I’ve been doing this for a very long time.

            Not just writing blogs and essays, not just writing stories, not just writing in general.  I’ve been honing what I want to do with my time on Earth.  Everyone does this, but there is a time where we settle in and accept that some decisions were of our control, and some things worked out in unexpected ways.  Then there’s luck to fill in the rest.  But my ego kept going.  Probably because my jobs left a lot of time to think too much.

            I am compelled to do this. 

            I’m beginning what could be my last big project.  I say this because once this multi-year process is over, and no one is interested, I will be satisfied enough to withdraw.  I’ll goof around with blogs, maybe write some jokes. But no more investment of my spare time for an aging, yellowing, coffee-stained dream of publication.

            What makes this different? First, this is a huge world-building affair.  This is thicker, denser, richer, and crazier than I’ve ever tried before.  I’m combining genres, throwing all my ideas in the blender, and seeing what bubbles to the top.  Second, I am revolutionizing my writing style. I’ve been telling stories instead of showing them and it’s time I upped my game.  My writing style began like a supersonic jet flying coast to coast.  I managed to get it to a train ride that took a bit longer with engaging scenery along the way.  Now it’s time to strap on the backpack and hike from the Pacific to the Atlantic. 

            I’ve been researching style.  Reading books about writing.  Practicing. 

            I’ll also be pulling all my completed books from Amazon.  I’m not worrying about losing out on the nine dollars a year I make.  I have to start from scratch.  I love all of those books, but they aren’t good enough.  One day I’ll rewrite them and rerelease.

            A lot of people would consider it a huge challenge to write a book and they’d be right.  I’ve finished nine of them.  I know how to finish. Now it’s time to challenge myself to write one I’d see on a shelf at the bookstore.  Or two.  Or three.  Not sure yet.

            This project, when the first book in the series is ready to view, will be edited by a professional regardless of cost.  I will solicit an agent for publication and if I can’t get one, I will shop it myself.  If e-books are all I can get, then I will arrange a campaign. I will consider an e-book release to be a failure, however it can help to get the attention of an agent or a publisher, so it is not a dead-end.

            Why put this out there? Why make a proclamation that is strictly for my benefit?  I read over and over its good for the process.  I don’t know if I agree but writing about writing is something I do often and it feels right.

            Shouldn’t you have started with this in mind? Yes.  But I also have entered into all of this almost completely on my own with no mentors or budget or specific goals.  I had volunteers to edit, but that just gets me closer to a cleaner product with less typos.  I didn’t know how to progress.  I read awesome books this year and wondered how to get closer to that level of quality.  I also read embarrassing pieces of shit and wondered why I couldn’t get an advance like the ones issued to hacks.  It’s not just about skill.  There’s timing and luck and one hundred variables to consider.  But skill helps.  So, I’ll work on that.

            I think I’ll post blog thingies along the way.  Process stuff.  I always have a record of what I’m doing because I’m nuts.  I ‘m sure there will be some damn thing will happen in my life that I’ll have an opinion about.  Thanks to all my friends and family, well-wishers and readers, no matter how many. 

            I hope it works out.  If not this, then…