
But as much as I love THE RAGGEDY MAN, I have other stories to tell. I don't want this to be the only book I ever publish. So, lest you think I am resting on my laurels, waiting for the money to roll in, here are a few other things I'm working on. Currently, I am about 70 pages into rewrites on my second novel. I hope to have the next draft completed by the end of July, so I can start marketing it, while I do another round of edits and revisions. I have written and rewritten a novella three or four times, trying to get it right, (I think I've finally got something worth keeping--maybe). That's a before-year's-end project. My short story, "Mama Sweet," which was supposed to be published in Under the Bed magazine, but wasn't because the magazine was enfolded into another mag, along with a bunch of others from that line, is languishing in publishing hell, now. I'm going to pitch it to the new magazine, and then, to other magazines. I'm also working on two comics, and...well, you get the point.
My goal is, and your goal should be, to ALWAYS be writing, or researching for writing, or thinking about writing. Whether you receive an acceptance or a rejection for a submitted piece, you should never celebrate or mourn so long that you stop growing as a writer. You don't need to wait for inspiration. The right story isn't just going to smack you in the face with its need to be birthed into the world. There may be a muse, but she isn't going to simply drop a finished story in your lap. You have to meet her halfway, don't you know. It's all on you, my friend.
You're a writer. So write.
Peace,
Chris