Three Montana Vigilante Novels
The opposite is true. I’ve recognized:
- Writing these stories is a calling.
- The stories are building an audience.
- I have made friends locally and throughout the Internet with people who like my books.
- I don’t want to disappoint them.
Besides, although it’s hard work that involves sitting alone in rooms for hours on end, year after year, I love it.
I’m at the tipping point, though.
For two or three years I’ve been teaching self-publishing at our local community college and simultaneously writing a self-publishing newsletter and a blog for Montana Business (mtbusiness.com) called the Entrepreneurial Author. Though I’ll continue teaching, I shall no longer write either the newsletter nor the Entrepreneurial Author blog. I have to write more stories of Alder Gulch and the Vigilantes — and eventually other stories of Montana that I heard from my parents. I’m on a mission to make sure my ancestors’ pioneering hardships, courage, and perseverance are not forgotten.
When I made this decision, I sent Jeff Mangan, the wonderful webmaster of mtbusiness.com, three blog posts. Jeff says he has them in the queue. If you want to read past posts, enter my name in the search box at the top right of the home page.
I’ve enjoyed giving back to the writing community by sharing my experiences in self-publishing. But I just can’t do everything.
Stay tuned to this blog for more announcements as new stories and — yes — the fourth novel in the Vigilante series are published!
After you get comfortable with all the reasonable and practical reasons you follow your passion, it still comes down to the undeniable realization that it is all about the passion. That’s a gift.
How true, Dale! There’s also a great responsibility that comes along with being given a gift, don’t you think?
Carol, I am so happy that you have found where your path is going. You are a wonderful writer with a gift for bringing the past to life. I wish you continued success. Can’t wait for the next ‘story’.
Thank you, Dori!
That’s very generous and kind of you to say so. Now that I have more time for writing fiction, you may not have to wait as long!
Good luck with your own, multi-talented and multifaceted work!
Carol
Carol, that’s a darned courageous choice right there, and from where I sit it’s the right one! Hat’s off to you, ma’am!
Thank you, Richard.
To me, it doesn’t seem courageous, merely practical. A matter of where and how to best allocate my time. It may be Dr. Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, who said, “Your time is your life.” People always have to allocate resources so as not to run out. That’s what this decision is about.
Carol
Very few realize how totally consuming writing is. Dr. McCoy said things like, “I’m a doctor, not a bricklayer.” Well, I’m a writer not a publisher or artist.
So true, Jacqueline, so true. Which is why I don’t try to design my own book covers. I don’t even draw good stick figures.
It’s enough to be what we are and not something else.
Thanks for pointing that out!
Carol
One must leverage one’s time, Carol, and that’s what you are doing. I truly understand that we can’t do everything. It gets down to a quality vs. quantity issue, and we both know what has to win in that boxing ring! Go for it!
Hi, Jodi,
You’re absolutely right, Jodi! I’m still getting used to it, but it’s working out fine so far. The hardest thing is to remind myself that I don’t have to know all the ins and outs of the new “fair use” ruling so as to explain it to others. Not having to do all that research and double-checking is saving much time already!
It was either that or give up my husband, but he’s too good a cook.
Carol
It’s a gift to have a calling and to know what it is. I feel the same way about what I’m doing. Sometimes other commitments have to make room for that priority.
Thanks, Ron!
You should feel that way about bringing the oldest stories of the West to light! They’re mostly forgotten gems, and you are mining them out of obscurity. It’s a gift to all of us.
Carol