When Robert Frost penned those words so long ago, he probably never imagined how often his words would be called on by subsequent generations, yet they're just as applicable today as they were when he wrote them.
A career as a writer is a journey. Sometimes that journey takes me on long and winding roads to fields and parking lots in far-flung regions. Sometimes I return home jubilant, having sold lots of books and met many new fans. Sometimes I wonder why I even bothered. The thing I keep reminding myself is that it's an accumulative process. If I drive two hours and sell five books, I don't make much money, but I remind myself that that is five new fans who might buy more of my books online. Or those five might share the book with five of their friends, who might themselves buy more books. Those five might turn into fifty books sold and fifty new fans. Does that always happen? Probably not, but I have to believe it will on some level.
The driving force is that people respond well when I describe my books and usually buy one. If they enjoy it, then I've done my job. Short of a massive advertising budget, this is how I get the word out, and that is key. I dream that someday I'll look back on all these pastures and parking lots fondly and know that I did it piece by piece and made it work.
I'm a writer. This keyboard is my happy place. When I can get a story out of my head and onto the page, and have someone enjoy it, that's what it's all about. For what are writers without readers?
For me, the long drives are just sweat equity. You gotta do the work. I recently told a friend that being an overnight success sure takes a long time. It also takes a lot of miles, and on this journey as a writer, I too have miles to go before I sleep. But I'm closer now than I was last year, so at least I'm traveling in the right direction.
-John
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