Tag Archives: Writer

Morphing…

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We morph, that’s all we do.

We change from one person to another throughout our lives until we discover the person we were supposed to be.

For some of us, it’s a religious experience that causes the change, for others, it’s a business experience.

While all of these are possible, the one thing that follows all of these is adversity.

In our lives we reach a certain point where we need change, we either revert who we once were because of the modification or we have an awakening that brings who we should have been in the first place, forward.

This is the advancement of self. It is the advancement of who we used to be that clarifies who we are and distills in us the person we knew we had to be instead of the person someone wants us to be.

Becoming the person you want to be instead of the person others want is hard, but it’s worth the effort.

 

Climbing my mountain…again!

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I’m listening to Staind right now. It helps me focus when I’m wondering what to do with things. Nine Inch Nails does the same thing for me when I’m angry.

But, let’s get to the gist of this post, shall we?

Last July,  my wife and I boxed up our house in Las Vegas in an attempt to get our kids away from the constant barrage of naked women on billboards and the way Vegas portrays women in general.

It was something we’d planned for eight months and we’d saved enough to move, get our stuff in a storage unit so we could later put it in a house.

Another reason we moved was so I could write.

This is something I’ve wanted to do since I the age of 14.

Today, I look at what I’m doing and as Neil Gaiman says, “I’m moving away from my mountain.”

I’m getting farther away from my goal of writing full-time.

I’m between two places, one that leads me to the mountain top, another that takes the mountain and places it under a pile of workout programs, supplements, and distractions that I shouldn’t have been involved with in the first place.

I should have known better, that’s the problem. I keep looking at where the road diverted and get sick.

I’ll be writing and ignoring things for a while. I love working out with these programs, but I want to be a writer.

I have an event in Dallas in May and that may change my mind, but writing is the reason we moved and what I’ve been doing has taken time, resources and money away from that goal.

 

Writing…

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Within the dreams of men, are the shattered worlds of forgotten lands.

We see the truth come through in shattered waves. Remnants of worlds fill the chasm of the lost.

It appears before us in great swaths of color and enormous blankets of red and gold illuminate the world around us.

Once these worlds are hidden, they know no future or care to have any.

Seeing the dreams of men, that is a falsehood that many don’t care to divulge.

I know the dreams of men and they’re filled with blood.

Things you shouldn’t ask a writer.

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I posted this on Medium the other day and wanted to post it here as well.

There are things you can do to be supportive of a writer, there are also things you shouldn’t do. This is will be about the latter.
I’m often asked about what I’m writing, yeah, don’t do that.
“Hey, can I borrow your pen?” Please don’t ever do this.
“So, tell me about your book?” Unless you’re an agent publisher or otherwise related to those I stated, don’t, just don’t. If you’re another writer, piss off.
“What do you listen to while writing?” You want to steal my mojo, and or screw up my writing? Oh, you’re just curious what a writer listens to? I listen to the moans and wails of a thousand screaming angels when I write, sometimes they’re demons, but usually, they’re angels.
“How do you come up with your stories?” I prick a vein, usually a large vein, pull the blood out with my teeth and spit it into a fountain pen, but that’s just me.
“Where do you write? I’d love to come watch.” Right, like its the NHL or another sport? I take my writing time seriously, if you try to interrupt me, you’ll be one of those screaming angels I talked about.
“Where do you find the time?” I actually borrowed the time-turner Hermione used in Harry Potter. It helps me to accomplish my goals better.
“Are you a parent? How do you parent and write?” I’m Superman. I’m able to change a diaper, create a world, help with homework, plot a story and cook dinner.
“Are you published?” If you’re unpublished, this will piss you off to no end. If you’re published, the inevitable, “Where can I find your book?” It’s a book. You find it where you find most books, libraries, bookstores and Amazon.
Remember, these are rules to follow, or else be smote by the wrathful writer gods.
If you break these rules and a writer sends a flock of crows after you, that’s your fault, and you must pay for the crows after they’re done peeling the flesh from your bones.

How I Was Able to Write Full-Time.

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For over 11 years I’ve been struggling to write I’ve written two novels, over 50 short stories and stopped and started numerous others.

I did all of this while working 40 hours a week, struggling with migraines, depression and maintaining a relationship with my wife and kids.

I did all these things, but I never felt complete in who I was.

I know a lot of it had to do with that little voice in my head.

The one with my dad’s voice saying, “I wasn’t good enough” or ” I would never be a writer.”

Guess what, I’m a writer!

I’ve talked about the conversation my wife and I had about leaving Vegas, and how I would be able to write full-time and do another job to bring in money until my writing brought in money.

I am sitting here, telling you that not only did this happen, but in a couple months I’ll begin sending out a manuscript to agents.

Yes, I am a certified writer.

I have set schedule of taking the kids to school, getting a few thousand words in the afternoon, picking the kids up from school and eating dinner with my family.

There are a few nights during the week when I pour alcohol for corporate events, weddings and other such things for extra money, but writing is my main gig.

Here’s how we were able to do all of this:

  • We saved up enough to get us through the rough patches of moving.
  • We got the kids into a good charter school.
  • We paid off the majority of our debt, including credit cards.
  • I got a job, though it took longer than expected.

We’ve been in our new environment for 2 months, we have zero credit card debt bought a new house with money we’d saved and I’m able to work 2-3 days a week to supplement our income.

It helps that my wife has a great job, good health care plan and makes a decent amount each month. Without any of this we wouldn’t have been able to move.

I am now able to do what I want, spend time with my family and get out of the house a few nights a week.

After following the plan I’m able to be a mostly stay at home dad.

My wife works from home, so she doesn’t commute and when I’m doing the events she’s home with the kids.

You can truly do what you want if you have a plan.