Thank you, Anastasia, for your willingness and courage to share such deep thoughts about your life and career. It struck me that you have decided that the writer's life is the only one for you, in spite of its risks and potentially low rewards. I hope that Hotshot is your breakthrough book, and your friends will help you when the time comes.
I came rather late to writing outside of academia. My first book, Venerable Trees, was the first nontechnical writing I have done. I am happy with the way it turned out, and with its sales, but I came to realize I needed more. For my second book, Our Trees, I am studying and using the techniques of creative nonfiction. I bring this up because i have been siezed by the need to write. Although I still do consulting and informal teaching, I have come to resent time away from writing.
I think you are in the same place. It won't leave you alone. I am very sure that you are at the start of a very successful writing career, but I understand that, while it is an adventure, it is fraught with perils and with fear.
Thank you, Anastasia, for your willingness and courage to share such deep thoughts about your life and career. It struck me that you have decided that the writer's life is the only one for you, in spite of its risks and potentially low rewards. I hope that Hotshot is your breakthrough book, and your friends will help you when the time comes.
I came rather late to writing outside of academia. My first book, Venerable Trees, was the first nontechnical writing I have done. I am happy with the way it turned out, and with its sales, but I came to realize I needed more. For my second book, Our Trees, I am studying and using the techniques of creative nonfiction. I bring this up because i have been siezed by the need to write. Although I still do consulting and informal teaching, I have come to resent time away from writing.
I think you are in the same place. It won't leave you alone. I am very sure that you are at the start of a very successful writing career, but I understand that, while it is an adventure, it is fraught with perils and with fear.
Here is to wonderful obsessions.
Tom
Thanks so much for this, Tom. I very much appreciate your optimism and perspective.