Seven months ago, I dropped out of your life. Did you notice? I did. I ended my thirteen-year streak of blogging at least monthly. And truthfully, I blogged more like four to eight posts per month during those years. I doubt I ever wrote less than three. Maybe only a year ago, in an online conversation with another blogger, I wrote ‘I can’t imagine a circumstance where I would quit blogging.’ And then a few months later, I did just that.
Maybe I should have written ‘I can’t imagine a circumstance where I would quit writing,’ because even though I’ve blogged only one post since September, I’ve written almost every day. I’m beyond excited to announce that I’ve completed my first novel. I wrote a supernatural thriller that might wind up being called Tangled Lineage. It’s not even done, but the first draft is complete, and because I can’t help myself from editing heavily as I write, the result is a relatively tight story without any plot holes that I’ve been able to find. It reads like a book. Beta copies are out to readers, and I’m anxiously awaiting feedback.
Of course, I check my email every fifteen minutes hoping for a message that reads “OMG, this is great!” Or “Gonna be a best seller!” Or “It’s a page turner, for sure!” Or even “Huh, not bad.” But I only sent it out yesterday, so even I know I’m being ridiculous without my wife telling me.
And to some degree, I’m not sure I even care. This is something I never knew I could do. I made up a wholly unique story and created a group of characters who I now dream about. My mantra has always been, No, I’m not a novelist. So far in my writing career, I haven’t even been able to come up with a short story plot without cribbing ninety percent of it directly from my life. Where I am right now is completely unexpected.
Am I back as a blogger? No idea. In a week or two, I’ll get several emails with LOTS of recommendations for changes to my book. That might take another seven months to click through. But I want to write, so in the meantime, at least tonight, I’m a blogger. It’s nice to be back.
This fun but meaningless photo is by Joao Ricardo Januzzi.
The Other Stuff 
I noticed! I’m glad it’s because of good news! Congrats on your book draft!
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Thanks Fran. Now I don’t know what to do with myself.
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I’ve been wondering how the writing was going. I’m glad to see it’s going well! Good news is a wonderful respite to the madness.
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Hi Angie, It is madness. So mad, I barely care anymore. Isn’t that pathetic? I can barely bring myself to read the news. I hope you’re doing well.
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That is excellent news, Jeff.
Congratulations.
May the zeitgeist be with you.
Kind regards,
DD
PS
I don’t know where you posted the beta version.
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Thanks DD. I didn’t post it anywhere. I solicited beta readers from various writer friends in my writer’s circle. I hope you’re doing well. Happy anniversary.
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Congratulations on your novel! Looking forward to reading it.
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Good idea.
Thanks – I noticed your visit.
I also read one of your reflections on writing recently, which spurred a bit more experimentation and it made me wonder about ‘my’ ‘target audience’. No idea really!
Be well and do good.
DD
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Huh, was I able to identify a target audience for myself? The other night in my writer’s workshop, I read a poem about one hit wonder bands and everyone just stared at me like I was some kind of idiot. I really don’t gel with most of that group.
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To think, when I was a marketing research consultant I banged on about the importance of identifying the target audience. Hilarious?
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Congratulations! And now I’m jealous, you finished your first draft before I finished the two I’m working on and I am a novelist 😆 My silliness aside, good seeing you peek your head in and great hearing about your (hopefully) new undertaking (novel writing). I hope we’ll hear more soon.
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THERE you are! Excellent news, congratulations!
There’s a little spiel I have that I’ve trotted out to two or three people who have written a book for the first time and are anxiously awaiting feedback. I expect most of it will be familiar to you already, but it goes like this:
A HUGE number of people would like to write a book.
A very large number of people START to write a book.
Quite a lot of people get a long way with the book they’re writing.
Some people manage to complete the book they were writing.
A small number of those do something with it after writing, like send it to friends or find an agent.
To reach this last point, whatever you choose to do next, means you have become part of a very, very small percentage of writers, let alone the actual population. Just to reach this point is a PHENOMENAL achievement. So many people don’t know this, don’t appreciate this. I really enjoy your posts, because you write beautifully. I’m not surprised you made it this far, because you have experience in perseverance. I’m looking forward to seeing your book! And Sci-Fi? YES! YES!
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Thanks so much Damian. Not sci-fi though. More magical/witchy. Not sure why I came up with a witch plot but since I started writing, I’ve noticed that every third new book seems to be about witchcraft.
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It’s great to have you back, even if for one post. Excited for you on your novel, too, Jeff!
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