On January first, my novel Shattered was published. I have a previous novel that I am proud of, but that is self-published. So to have a book published by a publisher was a lifelong dream that came true.
I was also named the poet laureate of Oshkosh. This is a recognition of how long I have been writing poetry. I am proud of both accomplishments. I would not change striving for these goals.
However, my message is that they do not change my life. I thought I would be able to pick up the badge AUTHOR and place it on me and then I would lead a different life.
The truth is that both have really only increased my stress and the amount of hassles in my life.
People that I have worked with have lied to me. At times, they have verged on being hostile.
The person that was me six months ago was carefree by comparison. I was writing and occasionally getting published. I was interacting with people in my writing community and that was very enjoyable.
I have met many people that practice writing. They write but never eventually submit their work to get published. I can now see that they were happy enough. They really took writing as far as they wanted to go.
This writer is going to keep trying to get published. But I will remember to savor the act of writing more. Good things will come from being a poet laureate and good things will come from my book. I hope to share my view of the human condition with Shattered and with the other books I am working on.
Yet, I hope that people that do not try to get published call themselves a writer and they feel like one. I also hope this does not affect people’s path towards publication. It is a wonderful thing and your experience with people may vary.



