I’ve been doing a bit of introspection the past while. Maybe it’s natural, being a new year and all, and it is something I do from time to time. I do it as a self-improvement exercise. I look at what I haven’t liked in the past while and try to see what my role was in it. Perhaps I was too laid back or maybe I was too intense. Did I make the most of opportunities or did I let self-doubt intrude.
I won’t say that it always works but I do believe the process keeps me moving in the right general direction. It’s one of those things that is never a single iteration either. I try to do it whenever I seem stalled in my life. You might even call it “whenever I get into a rut”.
To bring it around to writing, I did a personal review about two-and-a-half years ago. I wasn’t published, I had very little in the way of a publicly facing identity and I really seemed to be floundering. I truly wondered if I would ever be successful.
I decided then that I needed to be more outgoing as a writer. I needed to meet people and start being more outgoing in my activities. I blogged, I began podcasting and I went to conventions. I was more focused on my writing and was more serious about getting my work out there.
I’m still nowhere near where I want to be, but I now know I will make it. I have a handful of short stories published or in consideration, I have my first book contract and I have two decent podcasts to my credit.
I have made another step forward in my journey to being a better, more rounded person and successful author. Now to identify the reasons for some of my other “Ruts” and work my way out of them.
It can only lead to good things.
Personal Update
I was on Flying Island Press’ “Galley Table” last night. It is always fun to be involved with that crew. I’m going to have to get some more work written for them and get my yearly subscription to the e-magazine too.
GalaxyBillies is now scheduled for a January 26 release on Podiobooks.com which I’m VERY excited about. I have seven episodes loaded with thirteen to go. That should be complete early next week. I still need to get my End-of-Story show done. That will happen once all episodes are up.
I’m also working on my (secret) collaboration project and I will be pulling GB together for book edits in the next couple weeks.
Have a good one.
A pleasure to have you on as always. I’m glad you put up with my foolishness!
I always enjoy being on Galley Table. You all are a fun group to talk to.