Authors...Forgetting Who Supports Them?

Back in the day when I only read books without aspiring to be a writer, I used to marvel at how good I thought a particular story was by a given author. However when I became an author myself, I received a greater appreciation for the details of the story because I saw things in a much different light. Plots and character development took on a whole different meaning. It was as if I'd gained entry to a secret club of understanding. With that understanding came a host of questions that I hoped to ask some of my favorite authors in order to learn a little more about this craft that I'd adopted, and perhaps have some of their success rub off on me. I mean, who better to ask than those who have been around for a while, right? Apparently not. I can't tell you how many authors I've contacted of course first praising them on their recent offering (if I felt it warranted such), and then telling them exactly what I love about their writing. Then my question. Now mind you I'm not asking for some major secret, or legal advice, or trying to get them to read a manuscript. I'm simply asking about things like writer's groups they find best serve their purpose, how to lend better authenticity to their works, etc. Things like that. Things that help all writers. Know how many responses I've gotten? Hmmm... I'm still waiting. And this from even those who make it a point of putting their email addresses in the acknowledgements of their books, encouraging fans to drop them a line.

Now, I certainly don't expect some long lengthy commentary. After all, these folks are busy doing what pays the bills...writing. However, if you can't stop for two seconds to lend some advice to a fellow author, stop putting your information out there! Some of us are simply trying to get where you are, but perhaps you've forgotten what that's like. Do us up and comings a favor... come off your cloud of self-importance, reach your hand down, and pull somebody up with you. Call it karma, reaping and sowing, or whatever you like, but it works, and we would certainly appreciate it.

Picking a dream to follow

I don't know about most folks, but writing for me is as essential as breathing. If I don't sit down and create something on a daily basis, I feel like I'm missing something. And finally after years of feeling this way, I've decided to take that plunge. The one that will take me free falling into the space of the unknown-damn a safety net! I'm done pretending or denying it. I'm done telling folks I do writing in my free time. I don't do writing, I am a writer. So goodbye boring day job, and hello dream!