When I turned 40 (in what seems like a lifetime ago), I swore no more regrets, fuck what people think of me and I'mma gonna do what I WANT.
It's only been in the past couple of years that from a financial standpoint that I've been able to chase my lifelong pipe dream of writing. I wish I'd had the balls (and well, money) to do this sooner.
Having said that, I'm also a firm believer is YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU and FUCK what everyone says you SHOULD do.
You're a great writer and I look forward to seeing where this next adventure takes you.
I don't have the money (and may never) but "balls" is something I can certainly generate.
The "Do what is best for you" piece is crucial. It's not selfish if it makes you happy because when you're happy everyone around you benefits. Here's to us getting happy! 🥂🥂
Good timing, Meg! I am doing a photography edition of The Encouragement Files tomorrow (and trying to squeeze in a 100km cycle, what am I thinking?) … and I scribbled ‘Stock Fiction’ on my pad. I shall refer to it appropriately with this breaking news! Onwards, always onwards … focus on romance in the week of love - makes sense! It’ll be great writing whatever direction you take it, now or in the future.
Oh Meg, I imagine that was a hard decision to come to, but it sounds like the right one! If we spend so much time writing blog writting that we don't actually get around to writing writing, I'd say there's a problem... There are only so many writing hours in a day.
Here's hoping The Romantic gives you what you need in the blogosphere (I'm already signed up), and that putting Stock Fiction on hold gives you the time and fuel you need to write more books!
The decision was easy. Pulling the trigger was the hard part.
Hopefully I can keep The Romantic from becoming another time suck, but I'm hopeful it will remain a space for thinking about stories and how they're told, which should serve my higher writing purpose.
Now the hard part is deciding which of my MANY book ideas to tackle first!!
I suspect having fewer projects in the air will help me manage my creative time better. There are still countless things to say yes or no to, but signing off here removes a significant source of pressure for me moving forward.
I'm so excited for this "next chapter"-- literally. Hehe. But truly, congrats. It's a good feeling when you find the right place, niche, zone... You got this. Can't wait for the Romantic.
That's awesome. I remember making this very same decision to shutter my fledgling proofreading biz to focus on writing. And since I'm already a subscriber to The Romantic, I know it's bomb.
I am beyond excited for you, Meg! If you know in your heart it’s right, it’s right. I can’t wait to read your short fiction collection and future books. Best wishes with everything, and stay in touch, my friend!
Not the kind you get assigned because you're a big deal author with a publishing contract. The kind you throw a ton of money at to help you get your book sexy enough to dangle in front of agents who might be able to get you that publishing contract.
She needed to shed some weight ... in the realm of 20K words ... and I just couldn't make that happen without outside help. I'm too close to the project!!!
I'm hopeful the experience/collaboration proves fruitful. Fingers well and truly CROSSED!!!!
It is always best to follow inspiration. Letting things go can be tough, but there is a season for everything. And the wise know when to say, it is time to stop and move on. Best wishes on the next season.
I was thinking about this recently. How writing and almost any artistry now requires the artists to be a social media marketer. It sucks, but it seems to be the nature of art at the moment. You have to have an audience for a contract, and to have an audience you have to have an online presence which is work that takes away from the craft itself. Still, I'm glad you have a foundation to get back to working solely on your fiction. I can't wait to be there myself!
I sometimes wonder if I put the cart before the horse when I started building my audience here instead of writing the books that I would ultimately want to introduce them to. But I'm here now, and hopefully I can hang on to everything I've built while I get cracking on those books! I've had no gains with social media, but I suspect that piece requires a level of notoriety I don't have ... yet ... and have made something resembling peace with the FOMO that comes from not appearing in those places. We can't be everywhere at once! Best to cling to the spaces where we have the most control over the results. 😊
I so look forward to reading your upcoming novels!! You are an amazing author and I’m in awe of your creativity, bravery, and dedication in doing all that you’ve done! Always cheering for you no matter what or how you create it!
I can't believe this is the first post I've found from you! This really helped me refocus on my own goals. Good luck to your future endeavors and I'll see you over at The Romantic
When I turned 40 (in what seems like a lifetime ago), I swore no more regrets, fuck what people think of me and I'mma gonna do what I WANT.
It's only been in the past couple of years that from a financial standpoint that I've been able to chase my lifelong pipe dream of writing. I wish I'd had the balls (and well, money) to do this sooner.
Having said that, I'm also a firm believer is YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU and FUCK what everyone says you SHOULD do.
You're a great writer and I look forward to seeing where this next adventure takes you.
Thank you, Kim!
I don't have the money (and may never) but "balls" is something I can certainly generate.
The "Do what is best for you" piece is crucial. It's not selfish if it makes you happy because when you're happy everyone around you benefits. Here's to us getting happy! 🥂🥂
Good timing, Meg! I am doing a photography edition of The Encouragement Files tomorrow (and trying to squeeze in a 100km cycle, what am I thinking?) … and I scribbled ‘Stock Fiction’ on my pad. I shall refer to it appropriately with this breaking news! Onwards, always onwards … focus on romance in the week of love - makes sense! It’ll be great writing whatever direction you take it, now or in the future.
Thank you, Barrie, for being the mountain of encouragement you are. 💜
💛💛
Oh Meg, I imagine that was a hard decision to come to, but it sounds like the right one! If we spend so much time writing blog writting that we don't actually get around to writing writing, I'd say there's a problem... There are only so many writing hours in a day.
Here's hoping The Romantic gives you what you need in the blogosphere (I'm already signed up), and that putting Stock Fiction on hold gives you the time and fuel you need to write more books!
The decision was easy. Pulling the trigger was the hard part.
Hopefully I can keep The Romantic from becoming another time suck, but I'm hopeful it will remain a space for thinking about stories and how they're told, which should serve my higher writing purpose.
Now the hard part is deciding which of my MANY book ideas to tackle first!!
There are only so many (creative) hours in a day. We get defined not by what say yes to, but what we say no to. Yes is easy; no is hard.
Good luck. Whether you're writing on The Romantic or here, I still think your funny as hell.
Cheers, David!
I suspect having fewer projects in the air will help me manage my creative time better. There are still countless things to say yes or no to, but signing off here removes a significant source of pressure for me moving forward.
Glad to have you aboard on either ship!
🥲
Just had to rip the band aid off.
Feels better already. 💜
Yup, I get it. Good luck.
👍🏻
I'm so excited for this "next chapter"-- literally. Hehe. But truly, congrats. It's a good feeling when you find the right place, niche, zone... You got this. Can't wait for the Romantic.
Thank you, friend.
Change is always terrifying for me, but I also know I can't grow without it.
So ... onward and, here's hoping, upward. 💜
Extra congrats because you pushed thru fear. 👏👏
That's awesome. I remember making this very same decision to shutter my fledgling proofreading biz to focus on writing. And since I'm already a subscriber to The Romantic, I know it's bomb.
Thank you!!!
And thanks for being an early adopter of The Romantic. Fun loving times ahead! 💕💕
I am beyond excited for you, Meg! If you know in your heart it’s right, it’s right. I can’t wait to read your short fiction collection and future books. Best wishes with everything, and stay in touch, my friend!
Write. Leap. Land. Repeat. 😊💜
In touch I will stay!!!
I promise to read this, but now I need to go out and find some of those pastries...they look amazing.
Okay...I'm reading the comments. Do the donut holes represent balls? Yuck.
I brought this out from behind the paywall ... just for you!!
https://stockfiction.substack.com/p/the-girl-with-the-donut-fingers
The first story I published on Stock Fiction. 😊
What? See Dot Smile is on a publishing journey?!?!
She's in the hands of an editor as we speak! 😥
Not the kind you get assigned because you're a big deal author with a publishing contract. The kind you throw a ton of money at to help you get your book sexy enough to dangle in front of agents who might be able to get you that publishing contract.
She needed to shed some weight ... in the realm of 20K words ... and I just couldn't make that happen without outside help. I'm too close to the project!!!
I'm hopeful the experience/collaboration proves fruitful. Fingers well and truly CROSSED!!!!
Awwwww! Yes, fingers crossed!
It is always best to follow inspiration. Letting things go can be tough, but there is a season for everything. And the wise know when to say, it is time to stop and move on. Best wishes on the next season.
Thank you, Mark.
As long as I can keep writing, I'll do my best to trust that every shift in direction is the right one.
Follow your heart and what inspires you and you can’t go wrong.
I was thinking about this recently. How writing and almost any artistry now requires the artists to be a social media marketer. It sucks, but it seems to be the nature of art at the moment. You have to have an audience for a contract, and to have an audience you have to have an online presence which is work that takes away from the craft itself. Still, I'm glad you have a foundation to get back to working solely on your fiction. I can't wait to be there myself!
Thank you, Jacky!
I sometimes wonder if I put the cart before the horse when I started building my audience here instead of writing the books that I would ultimately want to introduce them to. But I'm here now, and hopefully I can hang on to everything I've built while I get cracking on those books! I've had no gains with social media, but I suspect that piece requires a level of notoriety I don't have ... yet ... and have made something resembling peace with the FOMO that comes from not appearing in those places. We can't be everywhere at once! Best to cling to the spaces where we have the most control over the results. 😊
I so look forward to reading your upcoming novels!! You are an amazing author and I’m in awe of your creativity, bravery, and dedication in doing all that you’ve done! Always cheering for you no matter what or how you create it!
💜💜💜🥂🥂🥂💕💕💕💕😊😊😊😊Thank you, friend.
I can't believe this is the first post I've found from you! This really helped me refocus on my own goals. Good luck to your future endeavors and I'll see you over at The Romantic
Cheers, Andrew!
Come back and visit anytime you're in the mood for fiction, etc.
See you at the new digs!
Congrats on the new adventure Meg!
Thanks, Ben!