My previous post was a bit heavy (as they will at times be) so I thought I would follow-up with something carrying “Summer” in the title. I’m unusually happy that Winter is behind us (by the way, I know that seasons aren’t technically capitalized, but I can’t help but find myself thinking that is wrong—am I alone in that, as a writer, I mean?). Regardless, we (Colorado) didn’t have an extraordinarily snowy Winter; I don’t mind those, particularly since this was the first Winter in twenty-three years I was not commuting to and from a day job and really would have enjoy snow in the feet (apologies to my wife). Instead we had a cold, dreary winter (by CO standards).

So here we are, technically a capitalized Spring, but the weather (80s today) is hinting at Summer and we writers know what that means, eh?

Summer reading = Summer sales, no?

Mine have picked up some, I will admit, and school’s not quite out, so there’s still time to see a Christmas-like deluge (oh what I wouldn’t give for a Christmas-like deluge).

A kidney?

To hell with it, I’ve got TWO, and with current amniotic fluid stem cell research, assuming the government doesn’t mess this one up (big assumption, I know), they’re going to be growing organs in a few years.

Sales. Such a powerful word. Life or death. I wish taxes were a certainty because it would mean SALES were a certainty. But they aren’t, are they? I know, we exude confidence—everyone’s a bestseller. But we know that’s not true, not always anyway.

We’re in a tough business. And it should be tough. I just wish quality writing played a larger role in determining an author’s relative success than Taro cards. But in this “needle in a pile of needles” publishing world in which we find ourselves (hopefully) treading water, it is what it is.

And may I take this opportunity to say God (or whatever you consider in charge of your fate, if anything) bless fellow writers who work tirelessly to promote other writers. I have to say for the record that Caleb Pirtle and Stephen Woodfin qualify in quadruple spades. Have you checked out Venture Galleries yet? You find me a better gathering of talented, potential-fueled writers anywhere else on the net. These two gentlemen (talented enough to be devoting their valuable time to themselves and their own work) put in countless hours building foundations for other writers.

My son introduced me to a motivational speech/video the other day. I’m sharing it with you here in the hopes that it will cheer you, motivate you, and get you ready to grasp success by the throat when it happens to step into the room with you. I dedicate it to Caleb and Stephen, two men who clearly know what it means to give up sleep. I thank you, sirs. You are an inspiration to us all.

Clearly humans must sleep, but hopefully you get the point. I preach all the Ps: perseverance, persistence, prevalence, proliferation, and potential. Without dedicating everything you’ve got, all are worthless. Especially potential. I know a LOT of writers with big time potential that don’t seem to want to proliferate, and I respect them for writing because of how it makes them feel. Personally, I want to reach as many readers as possible and sell a million books. Not to become rich, but for that feeling I get every time a single reader takes the time to say a book I wrote moved them, touched them, entertained them, fixed them, or otherwise made a difference in their lives.

You have to begin with the WHY. Why do you write? I write to share, from the heart and soul. I also write to reach out and make a difference. I’ve always believed in Reading as the most important of all the Rs. In fact, it transcends the other two, even wRiting. Because writing is simply a collection of printed characters on a page until someone reads it.

For me, reading fuels my muse.

Unfortunately, it seems the last thing for which I make time. Okay, exercise is the last thing, but I used to read a LOT and I love it. I write exponentially better and it keeps my mind focused on the craft.

Sorry for the tangential ride. We got away from Summer and the sales that will (hopefully) come with it.

How have the rest of you been doing? Big increase, little increase, none?

Whatever the case, I think we are all ready for some warmth. If you’re in Arizona, Texas, Florida, or any of the other Winter destinations, I hope you are a snowbird and are already heading for milder temps.

Speaking of fuel, sales will help put some gas in that tank.

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The blank page is dead…long live the blank page.

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Author known to use spontaneous satire, sarcasm, and unannounced injections of pith or witticisms which may not be suitable for humorless or otherwise jest-challenged individuals. (Witticisms not guaranteed to be witty, funny, comical, hilarious, clever, scintillating, whimsical, wise, endearing, keen, savvy, sagacious, penetrating, fanciful, or otherwise enjoyable. The Surgeon General has determined through laboratory testing that sarcasm can be dangerous, even in small amounts, and should not be ingested by those who are serious, somber, pensive, weighty, funereal, unsmiling, poker-faced, sober, or pregnant.)