First and foremost, happy new year!
Obviously, I’m being cheeky with the tags on this post. I’ve been posting to Steemit consistently for a few months. However, thanks largely to the inspiration I’ve drawn from the community of writers here, I’d like to refocus the main purpose of my blog. Don’t worry: you’ll still get the same kind of content you’ve been getting from me (from my philosophical and political ramblings to my musings on video games to my fiction posts). What’s different, then, you might ask? Well, I’ll likely slow down with producing that kind of stuff, but you’ll probably still end up with more content from me. Yay!
You see, at heart, I’m a fiction writer. Yes, sure, I often wax philosophical or critique some cultural artifact, but writing fiction is one of my greatest joys in life. As such, I’d like to do more of it. The problem is that, like most people, I don’t have as much time as I’d like or need. The bills come due every month, so I have to keep trading in my time and sanity for digital scrips redeemable for goods and services. It’s a vicious cycle.
So what does one do?
Get paid to write, of course!
No, I don’t mean get paid in those sweet, sweet bear market Steem tokens (Worth less every day, amirite!?). I mean, I’ll keep collecting those pennies, for sure, but I want to go big. I want to publish a novel. Then, hopefully, I’ll publish even more after that.
Uh...how does Steemit factor into this equation?
I’m glad you asked.
I want to provide regular updates about my path to publication. I’m not promising daily posts, but they will be frequent. I intend to fill you all in on what I’ve done that day (or past few days) to get me closer to my goal of getting published.
I’m not just going to give you the idealized version of the story, either. I fully intend to include my failures. So if I just can’t bring myself to work on something productive that day or week, I’ll let you know. I may not give all the gritty details of how many large pizzas I’ve shoveled into my face hole in a fit of depression or how slovenly I appear on my bad days, but I will be honest with you.
So what is the purpose of this refocusing? What do you hope to accomplish?
That answer is actually three-fold:
I want this blog to serve as a record of my journey.
a) I hope that one day, people can look back and find inspiration in this journey. On the best days, I hope they find motivation to keep going; on the worst days, I hope they find comfort in knowing they are not alone in their failures. We all struggle, and I hope that we all continue to struggle on.Providing consistent updates will keep me motivated to stay on task.
a) I’ve often read about other writers’ meandering paths to success. Stephen King famously wrote of all the many, many, many rejections he received from publishers. In his memoir On Writing, King claimed, “By the time I was fourteen the nail in my wall would no longer support the weight of the rejection slips impaled upon it. I replaced the nail with a spike and went on writing.”b) I want to transform failures into motivation. This blog will be the spike on my wall. I intend to break those failures under their own massive weight and churn them into a passion to keep writing and chasing my dream.
I want to further engage with a community of writers.
a) I’ve received invaluable practice, feedback, and inspiration from other writers on Steemit. I want to foster those connections and build more.No list is complete until you’ve added more points than you said you would.
a) The good life is all about improvisation, after all.
So, uh, what happens if you never succeed, no publisher ever picks up your work, and your entire life culminates in one pathetic and publicly embarrassing failure?
Did all the anxiety come through in that question? Yeah, I hope so. On my good days, I recognize how silly that question is, shrug it off, and keep working. Not every day is a good day, however.
Let’s start by just blindly accepting the premise of the question: that failing to achieve the dream one initially sets out with is synonymous with a failed life. It’s a faulty premise, but let’s go with it for argument’s sake.
Okay, so what? If that is the definition of failure, then most of us are failures, and most of us seem to get along just fine. I’m speaking in a grand, universal sense of life satisfaction here. Regarded in that way, I guess being a failure at life isn’t so bad. All my favorite people are failures.
Furthermore, I can fall back on the cliche that if I don’t pursue my goals, then I’m definitely not going to accomplish them, anyway. I guess one solution is to avoid setting goals altogether, and thereby forever avoid failure. But I would hardly equate a lack of failure with achieving success.
But let’s return to the initial question and pick apart how faulty it was in the first place. Let’s say I never get published. Okay. I’ll adjust and move on. I’ll refine my goals. I’ll accomplish something else along the way, and most of all, I will enjoy the journey. There is nothing left to do but keep on living, after all.
I also think this blog would be an even more fascinating record if I, in fact, never get published. It will be a testament to how hard one really must work (and perhaps implicitly how lucky one must be) to achieve a dream. I’m sure we could draw out even more intriguing analyses in the event of that outcome, but let’s save those for another day.
In the meantime, here is the mantra that will keep me going:
Failure to achieve my dream will make my life’s work into a grand spectacle of failure, a beautiful piece of art in and of itself.
This is getting kind of long. Are you going to wrap this up any time soon?
Yes, definitely.
All right, so where are you right now, and what can we expect from you going forward?
Right now, I have a complete draft of a novel. It’s rough and needs a lot of work. I’ll get into that more in the next entry on this topic.
Future posts on this journey will all bear a standard title (My Writing Journey), a (usually) unique subtitle, and the date. This way, you all can easily identify which posts will comprise the record of my progress (or lack thereof).
Wait, so will you still be posting fiction? And what about that series you were doing on capitalism like nine years ago?
Okay, first off, buddy: I don’t appreciate your tone. Second, I posted a couple of entries in that series in December, so back off. Furthermore, I only put the series on hiatus for like a month or so, not for nine years, so you can settle down.
More importantly, didn’t I already say I’ll continue posting other stuff, too? Jeez, the state of reading comprehension in this country (on the Internet? in Internetopia?) is atrocious!
You sound kind of defensive right now. Are you sure you’re all right?
Yeah, I’m good. It’s just the caffeine is wearing off, and I should probably go take a nap. That’s an important step in any journey, by the way. Naps totally contribute to progress, and never let any ignoramus tell you otherwise.
Are you done now?
Quite. Expect updates soon. I’m looking forward to sharing with you all!
Usually I have a gif here, but this is a New Years! Many GIFS!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good luck with your goals for the New Year!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Best of luck. Looking forward to your book getting published.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you. I'm looking forward to the process!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I say it makes sense. You've talent and time is money. Staying on steemit more than the necessary can become a waste of your time.. Especially when what you get are those shiny bear-tokens, as you rightfully called them 😛 So I'm avoiding any kind of propaganda here.. Go for it and change that nail on the wall as much as necessary! If you need some feedback from a community devoted to fiction writing you know where to find us, don't you Bananafish Knight?
P.s.: I love your mantra!
Pp.s.: voted, resteemed, everyoned and, as you know, every due visibility will be always given to our core members.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for the support and encouragement, @bananafish! I'll still be around on Steemit plenty. In fact, there's a FtS I need to write this weekend...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Goodmorning Michaias
First happy New year. I think its cheeky to use intro again but he its a New year and I think you write well SO.... can you promise to do some great stuff??
Let me know and I Will feature you on the PIFC great prizes and alot of exposure!
Let me know
And WELCOME BACK 😉
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, @brittandjosie. In the coming days, I'll be posting the final chapter to my short story series. I don't know if it qualifies as great, but I think it's pretty good, and I'd definitely like it to receive more exposure. I'll be sure and notify you when it's up. Thanks for commenting!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
https://steemit.com/life/@brittandjosie/payitforwardcontest-week-39-also-in-2019
DONE ✅
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Awesome! Thanks!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Ok DONE ! I Will introduce you ! Go visit @pifc and I Will tag you, with Steemify for example you Will See When someone leaves a comment or upvotes you. Good luck !
ThAnx
Have a grand day
Britt
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Nice honest post @michaias!
We all understand, as least those of us “in here” that are straight up and working steadily to add value to our Steem blockchain.
Dropping by to support your post, after @brittandjosie featured it in our weekly @pifc community contest. All the best to you in meeting your objective!
💥 Happy New Year!! 💥
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for dropping by. 2019 is going to be a good year!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for this re-introduction. Unfortunately my reading days are behind me. Nowadays I find it nearly impossible to pick a book and relax. When I realise, the day is over and a new one is about to start... ah, the problems of having a full time job. Uahahhah!
Thanks for this post which I've found after @brittandjosie featured you in her entry for The Pay It forward Contest
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for stopping by. I know exactly what you mean about the full-time job and the lack of time and energy. Personally, I'm tired of being tired. It's my motivation to, ironically, work even harder at writing.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I am so happy you have found your focus. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to figure it all out. Welcome back and can't wait to see what you bring to the BC.
Ren of @heyhaveyamet
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Time and self-reflection, for sure. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You are most welcome!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
First things first, Happy New year!
I love your writing style, I love the inner dialogue style you used in this write-up.
I just want to comment on the earlier part of your post, like we all know winners don't quit, it's not over until it's over.
To me rejection(s) are stepping stones, if it doesn't break you, it'll make you better.
I intend buying a bigger nail...
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for visiting and commenting. I may need to just purchase a box of those nails.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I really would like to track this so I will come in to check how you are doing. It has crossed my mind to try and write a book for fiction but have not started yet, Lets see if you path gets me going or shows me I might not be able to break through.
I also featured this in the Pay it Forward contest. https://steemit.com/payitforward/@stever82/week-39-pay-it-forward-curation-contest-entry
I am sure a few others will be impressed by what you are trying to do.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
He, @stever82: I've watched you progress on finishthestory. You really have grown tremendously. A book, by you? Definitely :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Ya I am just wondering maybe which to try. I will keep working at it here for now and maybe give it a shot. Figure I could try writing a intro and a chapter or two and post them here and see what people think or just send them to a few people like you and others that read my stuff to review.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, @stever82. It's a long road, and I welcome the company.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
This post is supported by $0.12 @tipU upvote funded by @stever82 :)
@tipU voting service guide | For investors.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Exciting! Keep it up, yo.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm on it! Thanks for the encouragement!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Your post was featured in an entry into @pifc's Curation Contest:Week 39. Posts are selected because the entrant felt you are producing great content and deserve more attention (& rewards) on your post. As such your post has been upvoted and will be visited by other members of the PIFC Community.
We are always looking for new people to join our curation efforts. This is a great way to meet new people and become part of a community that focuses on helping one another.
Want to promote a post for free and have a chance to find some other great content? Check out this week's Pimp Your Post.
The Pay It Forward community also has a Discord Channel if you are interested in learning more about us.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Keep writing and post whatever you wanna post @michaias, i like reading your story and don't give yourself too much target too. Just following your guts abd you'll be okay. Is this kibda a resolution for 2019 to you?
Happy New Year and Best Wishes. You've featured again in the pay it forward contest this week😉 last week by 2 participants abd this week by @brittandjosie 😉 Good Job!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks, @cicisaja! I'm excited to be featured.
I guess we could call this a new year's resolution, but I prefer to think of it as a life goal. If it doesn't work out in 2019, I'm just going to work harder until it does.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Well done then @michaias.. don't work too hard.. you can do work smart for all of this life goal wishes right?
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah... I hope you're right. I haven't quite figured that "work smart" part out yet. I hope I do soon.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good luck for this year.. hope you will find your niches ......we are all with you..
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you, thank you!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks to @xcountytravelers who shared your post on the PYPT show, I came across your golden post!
This is such an awesome thing to do, I love the reintroduceyourself tag!
I can relate so much to your thought process, seeing that we both, and many more alike have gone through the same experience!
Great job!
and a very very well written post! I wish you success!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thank you for reading and commenting. Best of luck to you, as well!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Good to make your acquaintance.
I have two things to say about writing - as a writer...
There's a lot of advice out there, but there are few bricks-and-mortar publishers looking to take on new authors right now and those that do still expect you to market yourself.
Best of luck!
I found you today because @stever82 featured you in the Pay it Forward Curation contest. Keep up the great work!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for visiting and for the advice!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Love the well laid out plan! I too love the idea of having our blogs here as a journal to look back on :) And with regards to "failure" ... I like to view it as continuous learning instead :)
I found your post because @stever82 featured you in his Pay it Forward Curation Contest entry. Please feel free to join us any week with an entry of your own.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for visiting. It seems you all have a really nice community of Steemians participating in the Pay It Forward Curation contest.
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
You're welcome! And yes, we really do :)
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I'm sure I'm a lot older than anyone else commenting here...so I guess my perspective is a little different.
Don't wait for anything. Do what you want. Now. Work at it every day. Sleep on it and work on it some more.
Nobody knows how much time will be allotted to strive, to reach a goal. The future is now.
I agree with @viking-ventures: self-publish is a viable route. Marketing is a pain, but traditional publishers expect you to do that anyway.
You're a great writer. Creating will be the easy part, for you. Finding an audience will be the challenge.
Good luck. Whatever you do, there's already a peanut gallery here cheering you on.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah, the marketing/reaching an audience part will definitely be a challenge. Thanks for the cheering and support!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
New year, new goals. That's a brilliant path you have decided to choose and I guess the idea came up with the philosophy of the new year lol jk.
Well, I equally have set some changes.
I wish you good luck and wish things turn out perfect like you would want!
Posted using Partiko Android
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Yeah... I didn't mean for it to be a new year thing, but then user engagement on Steem seemed to be slipping over the holidays because, uh...I guess people were busy. So I just put this off until the new year. It seems to have worked. I've gotten a ton of engagement on this post! Thanks for visiting, and best of luck with your changes, too!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
I found your post because @brittandjosie featured you in #pifc curation contest. keep steeming on. you are just great bloggers @machaias
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks @el-nailul. I can't believe how much traffic the #pifc contest has generated!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Great philosophy @michaias I love how you laid out your post, re-evaluated you goals. I love the bits of sarcasm and humor. There isn't much I don't like. I agree about your statement about failure. The comment about reading comprehension in this country. I do feel it goes much deeper than just comprehension. Keep up the great work.
You were featured for week 39 of @pifc's Pay It Forward Curation Contest by @brittandjosie.
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit
Thanks for visiting. I'm glad the post informed as well as entertained!
Downvoting a post can decrease pending rewards and make it less visible. Common reasons:
Submit