Writing from the Hinterland

Heya, guys!

Yeah, I know I've been neglecting most of you, but I've been writing and decompressing a tad with video games and running editorial workshops for the writers I'm signing to my small press and editing their first submissions and going to highly scandalous places for research purposes! And drinking LOTS of decaf americanos with non-fat milk.

So before I explain the title of this post, watch this video:



I love the line "I'm at the borderline of my faith. I'm at the hinterland of my devotion." And the horse, and the guys dancing, but that's another matter. The point is I'm kind of out on the edge right now.

I've put aside my fantasy writing even though the story is important to me on levels I can't explain without getting seriously metaphysical. (Stop laughing. I have my metaphysical moments.) Yet I'm on this amazing ride on a runaway horse that's taking me deep into unknown territory, away from my comfort zone and into my hinterland. What a word. Hinterland.

Any writer can tell you about how scary it is to think we might never get published. We might fail. I'm learning it can be more frightening to succeed. It's partly the disbelief after so many years of trying. It's partly about watching my pen name climb the charts and feeling like it happened so fast, surely it could fall apart as quickly. It's partly about the pressure to keep producing, and seeing more success, and feeling oddly defensive that previous successes weren't as big as recent ones. How come that title is doing so well? This other one is really good, too. It should be selling way more.

It's about starting a small press already, because the momentum is there and the writers are there, even though I said I wouldn't consider it until I was able to quit my job to do this writing thing full-time. So I'm still trying to write like a fiend, but I'm also editing and mentoring other writers, and dealing with little business matters while my partner is in Europe for the holidays. What have I gotten myself into?

Any yet...I knew this was coming. Without going into a lot of detail, I'll say it had to do with the shift in attitude and clarity of direction and effort that occurred when one of my closest friends died unexpectedly last September. Within a week, I had adopted the new pen name. Within three weeks, I was publishing under the name. Publishing a LOT, and seeing immediate success. So, yeah, there's that metaphysical aspect rearing its head.

And as if all that won't keep me busy enough, I decided to pass on an anthology opportunity that has since shifted its publication schedule and still wants to see a story from me. And I agreed to get one done. This one would be under my name, so I'll let you guys know if and when it comes out.

Speaking of stories, some of you might have noticed I didn't release fantasy stories as planned, not in November or December. November was just a matter of being snowed under. December was as matter of me reconsidering my options. I've considered putting out the stories for free instead of publishing them. After all, unless I put out regular releases on an aggressive schedule, these stories aren't going to have any visibility anyway. I've also considered waiting until I'm ready to put out the first few Colbie Moss novels and releasing them then. I'm still undecided. Hence, no new fantasy releases for now.

So, that is what's going on with me. Listening to Sade and sipping decaf americano from my new vantage point in the hinterland, on my grand adventure. What's up with you guys? What are you listening to? Got a song to recommend to me? A movie? I love movies. No time for reading or watching TV, but I can somehow always make time for a movie.