This year… 2019… marks a full decade I’ve been chasing after a dream. I shouldn’t need to tell you what dream that is, but for anyone just finding their way here, it’s becoming a published author. I wrote my first book in 2009 (Jeez, what an embarrassment) and since then I’ve written four other books (all unpublished). I also posted my first blog article that year. Although there have been a few false starts and promising ventures, unfortunately, I’m still right where I began. Well, that’s not exactly true. Over the course of these past ten years, I’ve made acquaintances and become friends with some amazing people -- others who are pursuing the same dream as mine. Most of them I connected with right here on my blog, but I’ve also formed bonds with people I’ve met at writers’ conferences or through social media. I’ve tried to keep in touch with everyone who has offered me advice, or simply encouragement, but regrettably, I’ve watched as many of them disappear as their own writing goals dry up. On the flip side I’m friends with numerous writers who have realized their dream – some of them rather spectacularly – and because we were together in the beginning, feeling our way through the dark, I still rejoice in the glow of their success.
What’s my point? Basically, there is none. Today, I just felt the need to commemorate the time I’ve devoted, which has been substantial (just ask my wife). You probably thought I’d end this post with an announcement that I’m throwing in the towel. Sorry… no such proclamation (today). In fact, I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest manuscript and I’ll be diving into the query waters once again very soon.
Ten years ago I felt an itch and I’ve been scratching it this whole time. There are periods where I feel raw and exposed, but that original feeling still hasn’t gone away. Maybe I’m just dense… like a zombie who doesn’t know he’s dead yet… but for anyone who cares… I’m not.
Who knows, maybe I'm just the exact opposite of an overnight success.
Congratulations on ten years! After all of that time invested, you can't quit now.
ReplyDeleteHi Don - you've got the bug ... you need to write and you learn as you go - the conferences, the interaction with other writers et al - good luck with the query waters ... you can only succeed if you keep putting your work out there. Love the phrase ' I still rejoice in the glow of their success.' Great attitude to have - take care and good luck - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI would say you're just getting going, just hitting your stride. Some famous authors took 20, 30 years or more to have their success. Great that you've still got the right attitude and are ready to move forward.
ReplyDeleteTwelve years here and still not published--but still at it. :) When I started attending a local SCBWI group in 2007, a newly published author told me that the average time writers spent writing before getting a contract was 10 years, and that she'd been writing for years before her first book was published. That author has since won multiple awards and been shortlisted for the National Book Award--Leslie Connor. :) So I'm going to take her advice and keep plugging away, content to be on the slower side of average. As Mother Teresa said, God asks not for success, but for faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteI just read about a woman who got an agent when she was 59. Her first book is coming out in 2020. Keep writing DL!
ReplyDeleteHappy 10 years! What's important is that you're enjoying what you're doing. Sometimes the journey is as sweet as the outcome.
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ReplyDeleteTen years! Man, that keeps coming up lately. I believe in you. Keep at it!
ReplyDeleteLove the 10 years but I was totally distracted by your office picture. That's an office that would motivate me to write.
ReplyDeleteStay with it, DL. Your writing is good. It will find its way.
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