We are three days into the New Year, and so far, nothing bad has happened, at least not in the world that I inhabit. The weather is holding its own and the animals seem relatively content. Tonight, when I went down to feed the horses, I took the goats with me. Sastrugi was jumping and leaping around with considerable abandon.

I am now spending my evenings writing. And so I’m feeling less like an imposter, a literary has been who never has been. It’s hard because it’s easier for me to write in the mornings. But my

Alys sorting at VCRS

mornings are no longer free. I thought that this would change but it did not. Evenings are cold and I am inside – the only other thing I do at this time is read.

This morning I had two good book-related ideas, ideas that I elaborated on in my head. The first one was to start Abundance by writing about my father’s love of storytelling and books. The second was to write a bit in the second chapter about recycling center textile dumpster diving. I followed through on following through with these ideas tonight. However, I think that I would have done a better job cutting to the chase had I got them on paper when I was fresh.

I have to avoid the temptation of self-censoring, meaning convince myself that what I’ve written is no good, and consequently abandon ship. I don’t want to abandon ship because the surrounding waters are turbulent and cold.

Bea, who is on the Bright Lights Book Project board, told me today that a friend of hers once told her that you have to hit bottom before you can again start to resurface.

On the one hand, it makes sense. But on the other, it does not. I say if you hit bottom, it’s all over. There is no resurfacing. I, for example, have not hit bottom, but I have come close. I think that I’ve resurfaced because deep down (no pun intended) I had something to live for, and that something was writing.

Or should I say, this something is writing.

I have been fortunate in that in the past three years thousands of books have passed through my hands. It is not so of most people. And so now, after handling thousands, and reading hundreds of books, I have a sense of how books are packaged and marketed. I also have noted how many writers work in differing genres. They do this for several reasons. They know that in order to make money, that they must keep their name out there. This often means writing for multiple audiences. Two such writers that come to mind are Jane Yolen and James Patterson. There are many, many others.

These writers also make a name for themselves by remaining prolific. In the case of James Patterson, being prolific supersedes writing quality prose.

Me, I’m going with the belief that writing quality prose supersedes being prolific.

It may be years before I finish the book that I’m now working on. However, I will get it out there knowing that it won’t end up in the shred supermarket cart.

Next: 4. 1/4/23: Good begets Good