Learning How (or What) to Write

It’s none of their business that you have to learn how to write. Let them think you were born that way.

Ernest Hemingway

I should probably read more Hemingway.

I should probably not emulate his lifestyle.

Well, maybe except for hanging out in tropical cafes with writer friends.

Somehow, I missed the class in school that said that was a possibility.

Instead, I was brought up to believe that you needed a stable, 40-hour per week job that you stayed in for 40 years.

Thus the reason I’ll soon be hitting 30 years in the current job.

Why didn’t I end up as a successful writer hanging out in those cafes, or writing from my beach house while wearing a sweater with patches on the sleeve.

Yeah, I have the sweater.

I try to tell myself that I have no regrets about the paths I have taken. I’m not always successful with that. I wonder what would have happened if I’d actually taken that left turn in Albuquerque.

But there’s no use dwelling on that. I can’t go back and change things. I can only move forward.

Those of you who know me or have followed me over the years know that I have always tried to have a side

hustle(s) of some sort. Some have worked better than others whether it’s on CafePress, or ETSY, or working at the amusement park.

I’ve had moderate success, but I’ve still never found that magic bullet.

Oh sorry, I shouldn’t have a bullet reference in a post that starts with a Hemingway quote.

Too soon?

What I mean is I haven’t found that magic formula for success and I will not be offering it to you for the reduced price of $495 if you buy it in the next thirty seconds.

I have, however realized, that there are a lot of opportunities out there but many are for younger people.

I’ve come to grips with the fact that I’m too old to be a social media influencer. Well, unless perhaps I’m trying to influence old people.

All that to disagree a bit with Papa Hemingway. I’m still trying to figure this writing thing out.

What do I write here? What type of books do I write? Where can I sell my writing to supplement my income?

The bigger question this week is, with the passing of Quinn (see Monday), am I going to pursue writing children’s books, specifically more in the CAT and PIG series? It just doesn’t seem right. At least not now. So, where does that leave me…and the rest of the farm animals?

I’ve done the retirement math. I’ll need some additional income. I’ve got a few things lined up and I’ll pursue others.

I’ll also keep writing.

As the actual date gets closer I realize that it’s not just about the income. We’ll be fine with my retirement plan. But I don’t want to become inactive.

I need to remain active. I need to keep working with my mind. I need to keep being creative.

In other words, I need to keep writing.

I was born this way.

IN OTHER NEWS

Biden announces border ‘crackdown’ that will still let in at least 1.75 million per year
New York Post
The Biden administration announced an executive order Tuesday that it claims would shut down the US-Mexico border once border crossings hit 2,500 per day between points of entry for seven consecutive days — a “crackdown” that will still permit 1.75 million new arrivals into America every year even if enforced properly.

Angry Fauci Demands Congressmen Address Him As ‘The Science’
The Babylon Bee
The confrontation reached a boiling point after Marjorie Taylor Greene flippantly referred to Fauci by his informal title: “little elf-lookin’ guy who murdered everyone with COVID.”

 

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