Submitted For Your Consideration

December 2011

The Blue Collar Writer

When I attended Bouchercon this year, I had the privilege of appearing on a panel during the pre-conference SinC Into Great Writing workshop. I was billed as a "successful ebook author." So far, I'd say this statement is true.

The thing about "success" is that the word means different things to different people. My idea of success may differ greatly from someone else's. In addition, when I told the audience that I made a "good living" selling my books, I should have included the words "so far." Because, in order to make a living in this business, you have to keep showing up and writing, day in and day out. And keep publishing work on a regular basis.

This brings me to the concept of the "blue collar writer." I heard Robert Crais describe himself this way during an interview he gave at Bouchercon. Basically, he said he was a writer who showed up every day, rolled up his sleeves and just did his job. And Robert Crais is a writer who's authored multiple series and standalone novels, won all sorts of awards, whose books have hit the bestseller lists, etc., etc. In short, most people would consider him a highly successful author.

So, I will never forget his words as long as I live.

Because, to be honest, right now I struggle just to write a few hundred words a day. Currently, I struggle to keep up with my blogging and other commitments.

Here's the thing. Being a real writer means sitting down and getting the job done, whether you feel like it or not. So, I do.

Furthermore, part of my job as an author is marketing my work. That means I need to show up and blog, whether I feel like it or not.

Finally, as an author, I want to help other authors. So, I've provided blurbs and/or reviews of books, to the extent I'm able.

Thing is, because of dystonia, I can feel myself wearing down like an unoiled machine.

However, I'm not dead yet. And I'm not quitting.

These days, success for me is just the ability to get up in the morning and drag my fingers across the keyboard. And I'm just getting started. I can't quit now.

Frankly, I'd rather be known as a blue collar writer than a bestselling author, because once you've hit the bestseller list, you need to move on. There's work to be done. More stories to tell. Novels, short stories, screenplays or whatever.

I can't simply be satisfied with past successes. I have too much to do. So I won't stop.

I'd be lying if I told you this was easy, but nothing worthwhile ever came easily.

And even though my condition has no cure at the moment, I'm hoping to find a solution of some kind. Grasping for straws, really. Anything to buy time, because you never know. Maybe miracles can happen.

I've seen stranger things.

So, my mantra has been and continues to be: just keep going.

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