Whoohoo! The Other Side of 30, 2nd Edition (TOST2) is on track to go on sale this Monday, 16 September 2013. To say I'm excited about that would be nothing but the truth.
I find that with the release of a second effort of the same story, I see myself striving ever more for a close to perfect product. Oh well. That's not going to happen, but it's nice to shoot for that goal.
I just want to give people what I've asked them to expect of me: Good, solid, entertaining writing. If I call myself true to the craft, and true to myself , then the truth to others will follow. At least, that's the motto by which I tend to live.
It's not an easy path, but I trudge along. Some days, I skip. Some days, I run. Some days, I ease on down the road, like Michael Jackson's Scarecrow in "The Wiz," though not nearly as gracefully. Some days, eh. I just stop and give myself time to regroup.
In any case, I always look forward to and feel energized by the support of my friends and family. As with the first release, I'm dedicating this book to the memory of my Uncle Harvey, and as with the first release, 90% of the profits, if any, will go to selected charities, specifically, the Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program, and the Wounded Warrior Project; so, of course, I hope folks will continue to support the book, even if the subject matter may not necessarily be to their liking.
I have to laugh at myself for my constant "apologies" for the content. I can't count the number of times I've told a friend or coworker who is planning to support me, "It's not very wholesome," or "It's a little seedy. Brace yourself." And then, I follow up with, "But I still think it's a good story."
At the end of all of this, I just want to be read. Being read by lots and lots of people would be really awesome, too, because that means that not only am I making some good money for charity, but I'm also increasing my chance of getting on somebody's bestseller's list. Dare I dream? New York Times? Essence? Yes. I dare dream.
I think some folks think I'm nuts for not caring about making money, but the truth is, I'm comfortable and blessed with everything I need, and most of what I want. I'm in a good place. It's the right thing to do to give back. To the community, by donating money, to other writers, by launching my publishing house, and to my family and friends, who believe in me, even when I doubt myself. My sisters are convinced that I should be hearing about a movie deal, soon. That would be pretty awesome, I must admit. One can only hope. And dream. And work.
Anyway, the positive energy that people give me is so powerful, because it's genuine. I am tremendously humbled by that, and I want to continue in that energy. I'll never stop trying to be a better writer, for the benefit of others and myself. Who knows? Maybe, one day, I will actually be I'm as good as I think I am. Wouldn't that be sweet?
As always, good luck, to all writers and artists to put out the best products possible. We have to remember that no matter how hard the work is to get to quality, junk peddling is not an option. Love the craft. Truly.
I find that with the release of a second effort of the same story, I see myself striving ever more for a close to perfect product. Oh well. That's not going to happen, but it's nice to shoot for that goal.
I just want to give people what I've asked them to expect of me: Good, solid, entertaining writing. If I call myself true to the craft, and true to myself , then the truth to others will follow. At least, that's the motto by which I tend to live.
It's not an easy path, but I trudge along. Some days, I skip. Some days, I run. Some days, I ease on down the road, like Michael Jackson's Scarecrow in "The Wiz," though not nearly as gracefully. Some days, eh. I just stop and give myself time to regroup.
In any case, I always look forward to and feel energized by the support of my friends and family. As with the first release, I'm dedicating this book to the memory of my Uncle Harvey, and as with the first release, 90% of the profits, if any, will go to selected charities, specifically, the Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program, and the Wounded Warrior Project; so, of course, I hope folks will continue to support the book, even if the subject matter may not necessarily be to their liking.
I have to laugh at myself for my constant "apologies" for the content. I can't count the number of times I've told a friend or coworker who is planning to support me, "It's not very wholesome," or "It's a little seedy. Brace yourself." And then, I follow up with, "But I still think it's a good story."
At the end of all of this, I just want to be read. Being read by lots and lots of people would be really awesome, too, because that means that not only am I making some good money for charity, but I'm also increasing my chance of getting on somebody's bestseller's list. Dare I dream? New York Times? Essence? Yes. I dare dream.
I think some folks think I'm nuts for not caring about making money, but the truth is, I'm comfortable and blessed with everything I need, and most of what I want. I'm in a good place. It's the right thing to do to give back. To the community, by donating money, to other writers, by launching my publishing house, and to my family and friends, who believe in me, even when I doubt myself. My sisters are convinced that I should be hearing about a movie deal, soon. That would be pretty awesome, I must admit. One can only hope. And dream. And work.
Anyway, the positive energy that people give me is so powerful, because it's genuine. I am tremendously humbled by that, and I want to continue in that energy. I'll never stop trying to be a better writer, for the benefit of others and myself. Who knows? Maybe, one day, I will actually be I'm as good as I think I am. Wouldn't that be sweet?
As always, good luck, to all writers and artists to put out the best products possible. We have to remember that no matter how hard the work is to get to quality, junk peddling is not an option. Love the craft. Truly.
