I've invited
a guest blogger to contribute to this edition of 'Dammit, I'm A Writer'. He's
an old friend and… well, I'll let him speak for himself.
Remember
the flashing neon
Hello, I’m
James Hallsworth, a thirty-something father of two living in the glorious city
of Sheffield. I’m publishing my first
children’s picture book and embarking on an adventure which could completely
transform my life. I’m here to tell you just
a little (but important) bit about it…
I’ve learnt a
lot of things in my nearly-forty years on this planet - most of which are only
useful in pub quizzes – but the one thing I’ve learned recently is not to give
up on your dreams. It sounds twee I know
- don’t click that ‘x’ button - let me explain.
The trick of
course, is to know what your dreams are in the first place. Some lucky people seem to be born with an
innate and powerful sense of what they want to do and how to do it (these
people don’t need to read any further); I, on the other hand, had to wait more
than thirty years until I finally figured it out.
When I decided
to make a stab at writing for a living, the ubiquitous advisory warning was “it’s
extremely difficult to get published”.
This is certainly true, but the best and truest mentors always add “…but
do not give up” - this should be signposted in flashing neon and given to every
writer, or indeed anyone who is trying to make a living from doing something
that they enjoy.
Like all
un-published authors I have accumulated a substantial collection of soul-destroyingly
impersonal rejection letters and experienced the long, dark tea time of the
soul writing in an isolated bubble without meaningful feedback, while also
trying to hold down an unfulfilling day job.
But, just I was losing faith, I got lucky; I found someone willing to
help me to achieve my dream, and offer expertise, contacts and a metaphorical
arm around the shoulder. Now, although
I’m still not officially published, I know how close I came to giving up on my hopes
and I’m infinitely wiser having stared into the abyss.
Ask yourself,
why do you do what you do? Is it to make
money or because you enjoy it? If it’s
the latter, then you’re better off than those doing the former. Please don’t give up and keep reminding
yourself of why you’re doing it every time you have a bad day or disappointment.
Your dream just might be around the corner, just as mine was…
...remember
the flashing neon.
Big thanks to
Shaun for inviting me to guest on his site, and for his sage advice.
My latest
children’s picture book (illustrated by the wonderful Helen Braid) is called
Mrs Vyle and is available to order now for £6.99 via www.britainsnextbestseller.co.uk/index_php/book/index/Mrs
Vyle.
Mrs Vyle is
a deliciously disgusting tale full of slobber, smells and funny noises that adults
will enjoy reading as much as children will love listening to.
You can follow
me and catch up on latest news about Mrs Vyle at:
Twitter:
@james_h1975
Web: jamesh1975writer.wordpress.com
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