Hello and welcome, reader.
It’s a big news post today, and it’s
all good, too. At least, that’s my story. And, as usual, you can count on me to
stick to it.
Here we go.
Believe it or not, some have
accused me of sharing too little of myself throughout my career in the arts. By
now, claims of arms-length and arrogant are old hat. They’re no less
ill-informed now than ever, either.
I’m not sure, but this might be
the first time I’ve addressed it publicly.
This blog has been fun, for me, that
way, too. And with it soon going the way of the Dodo bird, sharing my reply
here seemed right.
But don’t panic. Because the
launch of a new website will include a place for these verbose rambles among
the mostly private corners of my mind. While not widely read, these notes
feature an assortment of thoughts and ideas among the nearest and dearest to
me.
They’re surely of more help to me
than you, too.
So, before going off on the
latest, thanks for almost nine years of dropping by to indulge in my brand of
literary weirdness. It’s been my pleasure to share it, and I hope you’ve found some
laughs here, now, and then, to go with the few notes on craft and my ravings
about our world.
Thank you for supporting me and
this online aspect of my literary art. Your support means far more to me than I
could ever say, and I’m forever grateful for it.
Once again, I digress.
But keep reading, and I’ll soon
tell you where to find me and my new online home.
Though, at such times, it’s worth
recalling I’m a rank sentimentalist. This despite the amoral Captain Louis
Renault being my great hero of the silver screen.
By the way, if any of that’s
news, you’ve not paid close enough attention to my words. And I can’t help you
with that.
What I can do is say, again, that
only in fiction may we reveal the facts of our lives here. Because it’s those
responsible for keeping things together who write history. And the truth
doesn’t just hurt, it’s often too much of a nightmare for most of us to face.
For proof of that statement,
check out the current culture wars raging worldwide.
Because, like life itself, the historic
facts of our existence are both vicious and ugly. It’s certainly been that way
for me. And you’ll count me among the surprised if it hasn’t been much the same
for you. Life’s job, after all, is recycling you and me to make way for a new
version.
Neither our comfort with, nor
awareness of, the process is for it a concern. C’est la vie, reader.
I recommend making the most of it.
For as long as you can. And no matter what you do, or how things work out, make
every shot your best. Later, you’ll be glad you did. You now have my written
word on that, and I’m pleased to give it, too.
Because life is what you make it.
Nothing more, and not one thing less, either. And in case you wonder, that’s
the voice of experience.
Anyway, I’ve likely told you how
I love my work, and many times, too. The truth is, I doubt there’d be much risk
in betting you’re sick of hearing about it by now.
Well, here’s more big news. Most
times, it’s me who needs the reminder.
That’s right, usually, it’s me
who doesn’t get it. Though I don’t know why. Maybe because working so long to
realize one’s dreams makes accepting they’ve come true even more scary than if they
hadn’t. I’m still not sure, despite going through it a few times. But something
has surely kept me from acknowledging many of them along the way.
And that’s a damned shame.
Thanks to everyone for being
here, and there, too, and for helping make so many of mine come true. It’s been
all that, and a ham sandwich besides, and I’ve loved every bite. I’ve given you
the best of what I’ve had, and still dream most of doing better.
So, I hope you stick around to see
what I’ve got planned for next.
Did I mention how, for me, being
good isn’t good enough? Well, if not, there you go. It’s another harsh fact
with which I’ve grown too familiar.
Because here, like it must be
with every writer or artist anywhere else, I imagine, I too, seek only the
great. The natural side-effect, of course, is regarding all else as some type
of failure.
And nothing could be further from
the truth.
See, my folks raised me to abhor
bragging and distrust braggarts. Not only that, but I see little point to
pontificating, and less in blabbing about myself.
Nowadays, despite many calling it
marketing, it seems to me the world is overflowing with people telling you how
great they are. I’d just as soon not be one more of them.
But many people sacrificed so I
could take my shots at it, and I need most to honor their faith in me and my
talents. No matter either my own, or the world’s judgement of my efforts, it’s
to those who believed in me I owe what I’ve become. And it’s to them I dedicate
all the works I’ve been so lucky to complete, and everything I hope to do
before I leave.
Though, as usual, I won’t be naming
any names in public. Because they know who they are, and I respect their right
to privacy.
To my teachers and mentors,
without whom I would be nothing. From the earliest to those who remain with me
to this day, guiding and suggesting, reminding and encouraging, it’s for them.
To my early compadres, all the
long-lost brothers of a less-renowned road. Whether sweating in the saddle, or
bruising it out in a boxing gym, humping road cases, or hanging steel, it’s for
them.
To my Harwill bandmates, who
shared countless miles of a never-ending highway. Through times fat and lean,
from the honky-tonks to the recording studio, it’s for them.
To the shareholders of Solitary
Press, whose steadfast support keeps the road from ending, for me. Despite my ongoing
reluctance and modest success, it’s for them.
To the readers, and the
listeners, too, each and all. Everything I’ve done is for you. Whenever you should
find it, I hope most you discover something there to make your days and nights
more bearable.
See, without those people, and
you, reader, I would never have had the chance to be who I became, or do what I
did, and I know it, and I’m grateful to each of them, and to you, too. I’m also
now aware that in my reluctant quest for greatness, I’ve most often failed to
acknowledge those supporting it. And by doing so, I’ve disrespected not only
myself, but the sacrifices which made those good works possible.
That I must not let stand.
It’s important to know, then,
that while not always pleased, I’m proud enough of the writing I’ve done, and the
music I’ve made, too. Not only that, but I’m wholly committed to it. And I
wouldn’t ask for your help, either making it or making it known, if my
commitment wasn’t absolute.
Each time, it’s the best I can
do.
To those who helped, along the
way and in the here-and-now, it’s important to know more than my undying
gratitude is yours. I need you to know that I believe in myself, and the work I
do, too. And that I won’t quit, no matter how things go.
Win, lose, or draw.
I made a promise when I was a
boy, to remember, and to write down what happened, so I could show people who
came later how it was when I passed this way. I did so because what I found in
books written by people who lived through their own nightmares before me, and
shared them, helped me survive my own.
So, that’s what I did.
Now, I may have said here, a time
or even two, how I think life is a process of change. I hope at some point in
the past, I’ve also told you how I believe the important thing to ask is how,
and not why, we’re all here.
Well, if not, there you go.
For me, despite my discomfort
with many of the strange facts made plain by quantum mechanics, the classic
theory of cause and effect still rules. And, while the universe’s fate looks destined
at a macro level, uncertainty, in the form of choice, or what we call free
will, appears to govern our micro reality here on earth.
In short, I am responsible for
me.
Likewise, you’re in charge, and
accountable, for you.
Ain’t life grand? And did I
lately mention how one of my favorite things is the way adding a word about
science will kill most conversations? Along with all types of debate? It’s
priceless.
Go ahead, try it sometime.
Okay, now that I’ve again made things
as clear as mud, it’s time (at last!) for sharing the big news.
I’m launching a new author website!
That’s right, after publishing seven novels, and before the eighth, an
‘official’ author site is on the way. So, starting in early September, my new online
home is at the namesake URL below here.
I hope you’ll visit and spread
the word about the new site, too. Because it’s the first of many changes coming
to this writer’s life, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you.
For those on the world’s shortest
mailing list, I’ll email when the new site is up and running. To those who
aren’t, but want to be, you can send a note with the subject line ‘Add Me’ to
the address listed with my profile here.
See you there.
Now, for what should be the last
time, thank you for being here. And thanks for sharing this final post with
anyone you think might like to read it.
-
TFP
August 26, 2023
