Day: August 1, 2022

One last blog before I get on this plane here today. I want to talk about the future. Specifically, I want to talk about the importance of setting goals and recognizing growth potential as a writer. I’ve been writing Shadowrun for better than two decades–probably about half my life in truth. In all of that time I haven’t produced nearly the volume of novels that some of the other writers have put up. The reason here is simple: I did not go get it. I’m getting it now. That leaves me understanding that one difference between writers who are successful and ones that are not is that mindset of “I’m going to make sure they know my name”

There are several ways to go about this. I have this friend in the industry that has produced a ton of books–16 in all including the one children’s book. He went out and got it. He self promoted. He shows up at the cons. He comes to the classroom. He writes his ass off and he makes sure that this is not the end of his engagement. He embedded himself in the industry. I need to do that.

I will miss GenCon this year. I am returning from nearly two months away from my kids and this is the last chance I have to spend time with them before school really gets rolling and my eldest goes away to college. I will not miss GenCon next year. In fact, I will seek out more opportunities to connect with the local community as well as the larger writing community. I have more than enough publications to be part of the SFWA but haven’t done the paperwork. I will do the paperwork. I will put in the work this year to be more like Tom and less like the guy who waits for the opportunities to come to him. This is the way.

Some Thoughts:

1. When I listen to particular audiobook narrators, I start to hear everything I write in their voice. Presently I’m listening to Wil Wheaton tell a story, and this condition is particularly egregious with him. Damn you Wil. Nevertheless, I still want to play D&D with the guy.

Headed home soon. Done with the Seattle retreat. I didn’t write nearly as much as intended and I failed to write in the schedule book all but two days. It isn’t ideal to leave feeling like I don’t have a lock on managing the writer’s life. It is dope, however, that I feel sunk into the world in which I am writing and can, over time, continue to dig deeper and pull out connections and stories this world yearns to be told.

Now I go home to the office space and a daily routine that is less than ideal. I need to grow it and change it in a way that grows and changes me as a person into a better person. I need to balance it all with the teaching and bring the passion I have for that job back into play instead of compartmentalizing these disparate parts of myself.

Some Thoughts:

1. I mistakenly labeled yesterday’s blog as a Friday reflection. I really thought it was Friday!
2. Bill Russell died. I remember encountering the man once on a Southwest flight. He was minding his own business. He had A ticket seating and was wearing his NBA 75 jacket–the one in black. I moved past him and whispered, “Thank you.” He probably didn’t hear me. Maybe he hears me now. Thank you. You helped create a pathway for black men to hold space and voice in this country.