I Will Get Back To Work - Soon(ish).

It's been some time since my last blog, which officially announced the launch of my novel, The Perfect Circus/Redux. And I want to begin this by thanking the many individuals who purchased the book, and I really appreciate the feedback I've been receiving (including one friend who told me candidly, it's not her type of story but she finished it anyway. I love both the loyalty expressed - as well as the honesty).

I anticipated taking some time away from writing, for as I had previously said, my significant other and I were headed to Newfoundland for a 12-day trip. For personal reasons, the trip had to be postponed. Life happens and you respond. If I have any regrets, it is that we missed the opportunity to witness a rare black iceberg.

However, despite being at home, I've settled into a bit of a lull. It's not writer's block. Fortunately, I've never experienced that. Rather, it's almost as if after the frenzy (if that word can ever be used to describe publishing a book) of the final weeks before my novel hit the 'streets', I need a pause. Not to reflect or plan my next steps. I already have a clear idea of at least my next two novels. Rather, it's almost as if some inner voice is saying take a breath. You had your victory lap. Now, allow it all to settle.

So I've been doing that. There has been lots of walks, gardening, rounds of golf, lunches with friends, and my son will enjoy this last one, repeated bouts of 'forest therapy'. I continue the hard work of being the 'Treat Guy' in the neighbourhood, so I have numerous canine friends who look for me every day.

Interestingly, that has had an unexpected positive impact on my book sales. As all authors know, especially those that self-publish, it is essential to be relentless and dare I say it, even shameless, in promoting your work. Case in point, every dog owner on our street has purchased a copy of my book. Some, surprisingly, have even read it and provided me with their thoughts. And it's not just the dog owners who I've approached. I have gone as far as providing a promotional copy to our 'local' in Mississauga, hoping in turn that they will enjoy it enough to pitch it to their regulars. As I said, shameless.

Having said all that, I can feel the wheels start to turn. There is the beginning of a restive edge to my mornings. Scrolling through my morning news feeds and playing scrabble online is giving way to wanting to accomplish something more positive and meaningful. Several days ago, I took out the manuscript of my magnum opus, 900 plus pages long, written thirty-five years ago on an electronic typewriter. I read the first several chapters. I was amazed at my own creativity and yes, my persistence, to write something of that complexity and length, especially as back then I had a full-time job and a very young family.

The novel never saw the light of day as it was forwarded to my agent and through her, to traditional publishers just in time for a severe recession. How severe? My agent called me after she read it to tell me she loved the novel. Two weeks later, she called back crying, to say that her agency had terminated her employment. In her next sentence, she informed me that as I was a mid-list author, I was, and I quote: 'terminated as well'. That ended my career as a traditionally publisehd author.

Fast forward those thirty-five years and I'm both pleased and humbled to say I'm back. I will finish the lives of the many characters I've created. As I've said before, I owe it to them. And I'm excited to be on this journey with them, and with you, the readers. I promise - I will get back to work (soonish).