Some Thanks
Hi Neal,
I'm not sure I'm expecting a response, but I wanted to write a brief email
to express my thanks at having "re-found" your site in the last few weeks
(although I'm not sure it went anywhere - the postings on the old site just
kind of stopped at one point, if I'm right).
I'm a writer myself and just turned 30. My goal has always been to write
fiction and I have written a few short stories and started a novel about a
year ago. What I have written so far is very bad and while I like the
concept, as well as some of the underdeveloped characters, I thought it was
time to start again. So out the window went the 20,000 odd words.
I've wanted to write for the last decade and spent my 20s going to
journalism school, basically putting writing off. I also spent them
drinking. The journalism racket has given me a paycheque while I was
getting wasted, as well as for the last two years that I've been sober. But
now I think it is time to really get going with my writing. I feel very
lost most days and fluctuate wildly between delusions of grandeur and a
soul-destroying lack of confidence.
I've read your writing for many years and enjoyed the "World's Greatest
Living Writer" persona while it was in action. I found it very funny and
never wanted to send you any hate mail. I've been reading about your new
goals with writing (1000 words/per day), as well as the books you're
tackling. I have also set the 1000 words per day rule for myself and just
pounded out the first grand the other day. It was a humbling experience.
I've wanted to be a novelist for so long that to sit in front of the
computer screen and to literally see it blinking back empty at you was one
of the scariest evenings of my life. Made scarier by the fact that I had
started this project earlier and stopped when I realized I didn't have a
clear direction of where I was going. This time around, I've done a bit
more background work, and worked through an outline, so I'm hoping things
will be different.
That's all I really wanted to say. I think you're a brave guy, changing
directions like you are. You've provided me me with a lot of hope in the
last week or two and I hope you succeed. You're a talented writer and I
wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Mike