Sanity and Surrender
By BR Chitwood
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Maybe a year!
It’s been near a year that I’ve noticed an adjective or noun or some other connective element taking longer to reach their space in my writing projects – NOT a constant ‘thing’ but annoying as hell…I’m dumb enough to believe the blog post, poem, story, I’m typing still come out with some literary merit – at least, my talented writing buddies make me think so…Bless them even with some possible ‘lay-it-on’ blather.
After some negative ‘Adonis’ thoughts and years of ‘women chasing’ I settled down with a lovely caring lady who encouraged and praised my writing. Aside from near-400 blog posts, flash fiction, short stories, poetry, and songs, I’ve written twenty books, many of which were fashioned fictionally from my interest in crime and the people so shaped to brutal action and violence. There have been poetry and songs mostly fashioned from those long-ago romantic days and nights of beautiful women and love.
Sales from my writing efforts?
Disappointing and small! However, I did not do the extra labor and money-spending to market my books… I simply relied on the internet, a few ‘iffy’ promo places, and my own tweets, blog posts, flash fiction, and short stories. Another blunder, some would consider, I did my own editing and proof-reading (having been an English teacher, I was vain enough to think those bucks were better spent on ‘Maker’s Mark’ bourbon).
There were some Amazon 5-Star Reviews, and I did realize a younger dream of mine to be an author. The mind can make you believe, make you calculate your worth as a writer much higher than expected.
That said, I still believe, there are ‘winners’ among those twenty books, blogs, and poetry.
SO, I shall dwell here in my place of leisure and sunshine for some few more years, I suspect, write an occasional post, some poetry, songs, and, what the hell, maybe one more book.
Just keeping in touch!!!
BR Chitwood – September 7, 2021
Beautiful reflection, Billy Ray. I read a spectrum of books, and it’s rare that I sit back and soak in the skill of an author or the story he/she’s written. Your books, however, have moved me – deeply. And that is because you write through your heart and match that exposure with true ability. Marketing is not for everyone, but for almost everyone, marketing is essential. You may not sell a lot of books, but you, Billy Ray, are an excellent writer and that fact is more valuable than 100s of books sold. 💗
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Your reply means so very much to me, appreciated and logged in my heart… 🙂
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I think you’ve done well, Billy Ray. I enjoyed every one of your books I’ve read. I’m proud to know you.
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Proud to know you as well, my good patriot friend…and your excellenr writing! 🙂
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And she is a lovely lady. Count yourself lucky.
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Every day, good Tim…a wonderful lady with a wonderful soul! 🙂
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