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.