It’s been a month since my last post and I wanted to share with you my writer’s journey over the past month. After my last post, I decided to take a week-long trip to the coast to recharge my batteries and gather inspiration from the sea.
While I was there, I was able to make significant progress on my novel by going through most of the revisions. I’m happy to report that from chapter 28, there is very little left to do to reach the end. Additionally, I’ve been focusing all of my attention on my first short story collection, which is in the final stages of revisions before I self-publish.
My goal for this year is to finish my short story collection, and anything else that comes after that will be a bonus. However, I want to be transparent with my readers and let you know that I’ve been lacking in my weekly short story posts. The truth is, blogging is not a sustainable way for me to make a living with my words. That’s why I’ve decided to take a break from fiction blogging until I can afford my basic needs through my writing.
I want to take a moment to express my appreciation for all of the authors out there who are sharing their work online. Your words are a constant source of inspiration for me. I’m always reading and I hope to continue commenting on other bloggers’ work in the future.
As we enter into a new year, I hope that all of our dreams come true and that I’ll finally be able to make a living with my words. Because for a writer, there’s no better way to live than by writing.
Sebastian
You have channeled your energies exactly where they should be.
May this New Year bring you all that you need to create and write.
Thank you, Steve, for your kind words and encouragement. I appreciate your support and am grateful for your understanding of my decision to focus on my short story collection and other writing projects. I hope that this new year brings me the resources and opportunities I need to continue pursuing my passion for writing. Thank you again for your continued support.
Looking forward to checking out your work.
Thank you so much, Joseph! I appreciate your support and look forward to sharing my work with you. Keep an eye out for my short story collection and let me know what you think. Happy reading!
Thanks for the update. It is great that you were able to get away and accomplish so much. Sometimes a break from the routine is all one needs to get those creative juices flowing again!
Please note that my email address has changed for my site.
Thanks for the comment, Irwin! I completely agree, sometimes a change of scenery can do wonders for creativity. I’m glad I was able to make so much progress on my novel and short story collection during my trip. And thank you for letting me know about your updated email address. I’ll make sure to update it on my blog’s contact page. Keep writing!
Well said! I wish you all the best for all your ventures.
Thank you so much, Trishna! Your kind words mean a lot to me. I appreciate your support and good wishes. I’ll keep working hard to make my dream of making a living with my words a reality. Thanks again!
Thank you for sharing this. It’s encouraging for me as a future writer myself.
I’m just curious though about “fiction blogging”, I’ve never heard of that before.
P.s. I’m commenting from Cape Town, South Africa and lifestyle blogger.
Hi Liziwe, thank you for your comment and kind words. Fiction blogging is when a writer uses a blog as a platform to share their fiction stories, typically on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. It’s a great way for writers to get their work out there and build an audience, but it can also be challenging to make a sustainable income from it. I hope that makes sense! And thank you for sharing that you are a lifestyle blogger from Cape Town, South Africa. It’s always interesting to connect with other bloggers from around the world.
Good luck, Sebastian. I know how difficult it is to make inroads as a writer as I am a poet and, like you, a blogger. Short stories are a love of mine and something I wish to explore next to songwriting, just different ways to comprehend and interpret the world.
Thanks for the kind words, Doug. I really appreciate the support. I know it can be tough, but I believe that if we keep pushing forward and honing our craft, we’ll eventually get to where we want to be. It’s always inspiring to hear about other writers and their passions―I’m excited to see what you explore next in your poetry and songwriting. Keep pushing forward and let’s keep supporting each other on our journeys.
Thanks so much for this article Sebastian. It highlights that there is real importance in taking a break from time to time. Your thanks to writers like myself is noted, and I appreciate you reaching out to my email to inform me of this insightful post. I wish you good luck with your short stories and future as a writer, if it is what you love I encourage you to never give up on the dream. And whatever you do, keep writing as whilst it is challenging, it can be so rewarding and fulfilling. You are very welcome to check out my content too 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Ben! I really appreciate your encouragement and support. It’s true, taking a break can be incredibly important for recharging and gaining inspiration. And you’re right, writing is definitely challenging at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. I’ll definitely check out your content and keep pushing forward with my own writing. Thanks again for your encouragement!
Hi Sebastian. I look forward to seeing you in my incoming mail. I save the email for later in the day so I can be sitting down and ready for an adventure. I only started to get into blogging to get better at getting my thoughts on paper or just out of my mouth, and can only dream at writing like you. I have a Great imagination, unfortunately getting it down to my fingers is a challenge, so a blogging I will go …. Don’t be discouraged or loose faith, you have many people pulling for you ….. Dwight
Thank you so much for your kind words, Dwight. I really appreciate your support and encouragement. I understand the struggle of getting thoughts down on paper and I think blogging is a great way to practice that. I’ll definitely keep you in mind when I start blogging again, and I hope you keep working on your writing as well. Remember, it’s all about perseverance and not giving up on your dreams. Thank you for being a part of my journey and I look forward to reading your blog.
Good to take a break to stimulate the creative juices, Sebastian
Happy writing and best wishes
Craig
Thanks for the kind words, Craig! I completely agree that taking a break can be helpful in stimulating creativity. I’m glad to hear that my journey resonates with you. Your support means a lot to me and I hope to keep you updated on my progress. Happy writing to you too!
Sebastian my Friend – I love the nostalgic graphic. Your silent and humble sensitivity is touching. You have the skill to speak from the heart. I hope you are surrounded by those who can see you through your words. Not to be plugging my e-book, Confidentially in Peru- but I must. (Amazon-free download for prime) You remind me of my sensitive protagonist, though an elderly gentleman, in the Andes, who never got over losing his one and only. I’m looking forward to your blog informing us when your self-published work is up. And I will buy you a Starbucks Latte when you visit Seattle?
Thanks so much for your kind words, Dee! I really appreciate your support and your encouragement. The graphic you mentioned is one of my favorites too―it always reminds me of the power of the sea to inspire and rejuvenate. And thank you for sharing your own work with me―I’ll definitely check out “Confidentially in Peru” on Amazon. I’m glad that you see a connection between my writing and your protagonist―I’ve always loved sensitive characters who speak from the heart. And thank you for the offer of a latte when I visit Seattle―I’ll definitely take you up on that! I’ll keep everyone updated on when my self-published work is available, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. Thanks again for your support!
Well spoken, Sir. As I have been chugging on my WIP, as well, wishing you good fortune on your endeavors!!!!
Thank you so much, James! I really appreciate your kind words and support. It’s always encouraging to know that others are going through the same struggles and working towards their writing goals. I wish you all the best with your own WIP and can’t wait to read it when it’s finished. Cheers to a successful writing journey for both of us!
I wish you all the best, Sebastian. I hope that while you’re making a living you get to squeeze in some precious time to write still. Just like you, I’m also in a quandary if I should continue writing since like you said, it’s not sustainable. I feel you. You’ve expressed my own struggles most beautifully. Still, I wish you good luck on your future ventures. Enjoy and take care.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Gracia. I appreciate your understanding of my struggles and your support. I will definitely make sure to squeeze in some writing time while I’m working on making a living. And I wish you all the best on your own writing journey as well. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Thank you again for your encouragement and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Sebastian, we writers support each other. I appreciate your sharing your goal for this year, and I hope that you meet it.
Thank you, Keith, for your kind words and support. It means a lot to me as a writer to have others in the same community understand and encourage my goals and journey. I truly appreciate it and will keep you updated on my progress. Thank you again for your support.
I can only hope that I can have the discipline that you have in your writings.
Thank you for your kind words, Johann. Discipline is definitely key when it comes to writing, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is different. Some days, it may come easily and other days it may be a struggle. The important thing is to keep pushing forward and not to give up on your dreams. Keep writing, even on the days when it feels like nothing is coming out right. Keep reading, keep learning, and keep growing as a writer. And most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself. Writing is a journey, and it’s okay to take your time. Best of luck on your own writing journey!
I wish you all the luck and continued success with your writings, Sebastian. I’m sure all your dreams will materialize this year because perseverance, ability and hard work always pays off. All the best, hope you meet all your goals.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Diti! I really appreciate your encouragement and support. I’m determined to make this year a successful one for my writing and I’m glad to hear that you believe in me. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me and I’m grateful for the support from readers like you. Thank you again and I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Great work on keeping on going. Inspiration is not often a spark that hits us when we least suspect, it is more often something we unearth by doing the creative thing we love again and again! For us writers, how this happens: we write!
Thank you for sharing your journey and thank you for your encouraging words. 🧡
Thank you, Hamish, for your kind words and encouragement. I completely agree that inspiration is often something we uncover through the act of writing, and I am grateful for the reminder to keep pushing through and doing the work. Your support means a lot and I appreciate it. 🧡
Gracias Sebastian saludos Juan re crivello
Thank you, Juan Re Crivello, for your kind words and support! I appreciate your encouragement and I’m glad to know that my journey resonates with you. I look forward to sharing more of my writing with you in the future. Saludos!
I believe it’s Rumi who wrote “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will never lead you astray”. Keep following your heart. It will always lead you to where you are meant to be…and to those who need your words you feel called to write and share. A wonderful 2023 wishes to you.
Thank you, Christine, for your kind words and for sharing the wisdom of Rumi. It’s a reminder to stay true to my passion and to trust in the journey. I appreciate your support and wish you a wonderful 2023 as well.
Hi Sebastian,
I think you are doing the right thing by concentrating on what I hope will be your saleable written work.
Writing is your passion but it is also a job and blog writing can sometimes get in the way, though on the other hand it’s good practice and helps to maintain the flow in general.
All the best with your decision to self publish. Setting up a seller account on Amazon and other platforms is easy, if you decide not to publish directly through Amazon.
I will look forward to buying your short stories.
Thank you for your supportive words, Russell. I agree that writing is both a passion and a job, and it’s important to focus on the work that will help me make a living as a writer. I appreciate your encouragement and advice about self-publishing. I will definitely look into setting up a seller account on Amazon and other platforms. Your support means a lot to me, and I hope you will enjoy my short story collection when it’s released. Thank you for following my journey and I appreciate your kind words.
Hey Sebastián, you are one of my heroes as a fellow writer, though I mostly write non fictional essays about science and the history of ideas, and really only for fun, as there’s no way to make a living from this craft. I’ve only been doing this since 2018, and have self-published two collections of essays (Stardust and Meteors) and am working on a third (Eclipse). First drafts usually go on my blogsite and often Facebook. You keep up the good work man, for you clearly inspire many others.
Thank you for the kind words and support. It’s always encouraging to hear from fellow writers who understand the struggles of making a living with our craft. I appreciate your transparency about your own journey and it’s great to hear that you have self-published two collections of essays and are working on a third. Keep pushing forward, and keep sharing your work. The more we put ourselves out there, the more opportunities we may have to connect with readers and potentially make a living with our writing. And, if you ever want to collaborate, let me know.
Hi Sebastian! I wish you luck on your future writing endeavors. I have self-published two books on Amazon, but it is very tough to promote your own books. There are ways to get help, but I never pursued them. I am hoping my first novel, a futuristic story called The Next Frontier will be picked up by a reputable publisher. I write for myself as well as those interested in reading my blogs and books, and as a retired teacher am not in need of revenue. Still, it would be a nice supplement.
Thanks for the kind words, Mitchell! I really appreciate your encouragement and support. Self-publishing is definitely a tough journey, but it’s also incredibly rewarding when you see your work out there in the world. I’m glad to hear that you’ve had some success with it so far. As for promotion, it can be challenging, but there are definitely ways to get help and get your book noticed. I wish you all the best with your novel, The Next Frontier. It sounds like an interesting concept. I hope that it gets picked up by a reputable publisher, but even if it doesn’t, I’m sure that it will find its audience. And I totally understand your perspective on writing for yourself as well as others. That’s why I write too, it’s a passion and a form of self-expression. Keep writing!
You’re doing exactly the right thing by eliminating or reducing the things that aren’t working for you right now. it’s a good part of self-care.
Setting boundaries and putting things in place are a good way to move forward. I’m so looking forward to more of your work and the short stories will be fabulous if your previous works are anything to go by.
Good for you and good luck in all you do.
xx
Thank you so much for your kind words, Keleigh-Marie. I really appreciate your support and understanding of my decision to take a break from fiction blogging. Self-care is incredibly important for writers, and I believe that setting boundaries and focusing on what’s most important is the best way to move forward. I’m looking forward to sharing my short story collection with you and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you again for your encouragement and good luck to you as well in all of your writing endeavors.
good luck, will surely miss the blog stories, it really inspired me can gave me comfort. god bless you
Thank you so much, Rochelle! I appreciate your kind words and support. I will definitely miss writing for the blog as well, but I know that focusing on my novel and short story collection is the best decision for me right now. I hope to continue inspiring and comforting others with my words in the future. Thank you for your continued support and blessings, they mean a lot to me.
Sebastian I think you are on the right track here. Rest and re-think your goals. You are so very talented so I am certain that you will make the best decision for you and your public. Good luck. May God be with you and I hope you get the inspiration you need and richly deserve.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joseph. I truly appreciate your encouragement and support. I am taking some time to rest and re-evaluate my goals, and I am optimistic about the future. I am grateful for the support of my readers and I am determined to make the best decisions for my writing and my audience. I am also taking inspiration from the sea and the beauty of nature, which always helps me to refocus my thoughts and ideas. Thank you again for your kind words, and I look forward to sharing my work with you soon.
Good job keeping it fresh, Sebastian. One step at a time.
Keep up the good work.
Thank you, Bill! I really appreciate your encouragement and support. It can be tough to keep pushing forward in the writing world, but I’m determined to make it work. One step at a time, as you say! I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
I look forward to reading your book and great job! You are a real author and writer! Just keep writing 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words, Khadija! It means a lot to hear that someone is looking forward to reading my book. Being a writer can be tough at times, but comments like yours remind me why I do it. I’m so glad you think of me as a “real author and writer.” Keep writing yourself, and never give up on your dreams!
Glad to know that you are still focused Sebastian. Ideas put into words is a Spiritual endeavor, and the means to continue the nourishment of the body is a physical endeavor… neither should be sidelined…!
🇯🇲🏖️
Thank you Ralph for your kind words and understanding. It’s true that as a writer, balancing both the spiritual and physical aspects of the craft can be challenging. Your comment reminds me that it’s important to not let the practical side of things overshadow the passion and creativity that drives us to write. Thank you for the encouragement and I’ll keep pushing forward in my journey.
Hi Sebastian , thank you for keeping me posted about your dreams,aspirations and future plans. I wish you nothing but the best and more. I will always remember how supportive you were about my work and your encouragement to continue writing. I am just as much in love with words as you are. I see a bright future for you. Take care,God bless and please keep in touch.
Mallika, thank you so much for your kind words and support. Your encouragement means the world to me and I truly appreciate it. I know how hard it is to be a writer, and your support has been invaluable throughout my journey. I am so glad that we share a love for words and I am honored that you remember my support for your work. I wish you nothing but the best in your own writing journey and I look forward to keeping in touch. Thank you again, Mallika.
Just arrived from holiday in Nepal and your email has been a pleasant surprise must say, Sebastian. Being in the nest of the nature always helps build consciousness internally and in your case, rejuvenation to write more. Best of wishes and I hope you are never short of miracles as you endeavour through your literary voyage.
Wow, Mamta, thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad my post resonated with you. Your holiday in Nepal sounds amazing and I can definitely relate to how nature can help with inspiration and rejuvenation. I appreciate your good wishes and I’ll definitely keep pushing through my literary journey. Thank you for your support!
Congratulations Sebastian. You have achieved so much. Wish you the very best for the years ahead
Thank you so much Shobana, your kind words mean a lot to me. It’s been a challenging journey but I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made. I appreciate your support and encouragement, it means the world to me. Here’s to a productive and successful new year for both of us!
Sebastian:
I have always found the short storues you have posted to be very imaginative and intriguing, and I have thought many of them could be expanded into good novels. So, I am happy to hear that you are devoting more of your time to writing a novel. Good luck with it.
Steve Rhinelander
Thank you so much for your kind words, Steve! It means a lot to me as a short story writer to hear that my work is appreciated and has the potential to be expanded into longer forms. I’m excited to continue working on my novel and hope that it will be just as imaginative and intriguing as my short stories. Thank you for your support and encouragement, it means a lot to me as I continue on my writer’s journey.
Wish you all the very best as you continue your writing journey. Every step is in the right direction.
Please let us know when your short stories come out. How exciting!
Thank you so much, Eva! Your kind words mean a lot to me. I’m so grateful for the support of my fellow writers as I navigate this journey. I can’t wait to share my short story collection with all of you, and I’ll definitely keep you updated on its release. Here’s to a successful new year for all of us!
Hi Sebastian, I love that you took a break to be refreshed by the sea and found renewed strength/inspiration through that process; I did the same this past weekend here in Møn, Denmark seeking rejuvenation in life overall including my writing. Your ambition is inspiring to finish your short story collection en route to hopefully making a full living with your writing; I pray that is realized for you and look forward to following along the journey there! Take care, Levi
Levi, thank you so much for your kind words and support. It means a lot to me to hear that my journey resonates with you and that you were able to find inspiration in your own surroundings. I truly believe that taking breaks and immersing ourselves in nature is essential for our creative well-being. I appreciate your prayers for my writing career and I will definitely keep you updated on my progress. Thank you again for your encouragement, it means a lot to me.
I’m pleased to learn your ocean-side sabbatical cleared your head. An author lives in his work, whether short story, verse, or novel until nearing the end, when that life becomes the writer’s survival until he finally extracts himself and lets his work exist as itself. Finishing a novel drain, not because of what must be completed, but because we fear what’s next, and at the same time, long for the unknown and whatever discovery is there. It’s how we – any of us – become motivated to learn. It’s how we must let our work – regardless of what it is – live beyond our tutalage. It’s the only way I know to create again.
Tom, your words truly resonate with me. As a short story writer, I also know the feeling of living in my work until it’s completed. The ocean-side sabbatical was exactly what I needed to clear my head and push through the revisions on my novel. The fear of what’s next and the longing for the unknown can be overwhelming, but it’s also what motivates me to keep writing and creating. Thank you for reminding me that letting my work live beyond my tutelage is necessary for my growth as a writer.
Writing is a lonely pursuit, the mass of humanity no longer read, write or even think. Just keep on going to expand your own consciousness. That’s what it’s really about. The travel writer Paul Theroux wrote about this in his classic “My Other Life”. In one chapter he wrote:
“A writer is alone too much. That solitude can make a person think that he is missing something. That he is not living. What we want is distant and dim. That is why we desire it. Distance is the great maker of fantasies. The things that people crave the most are never near them. That is why they are craved. The Hindus are right. The world is Maya, an illusion”.
But above all, the truth lies in the words of TS Eliot who wrote “We read to know we are not alone”.
Keep it up in 2023!
Thanks for the encouragement Piers. I couldn’t agree more that writing can be a lonely pursuit, but I find solace in the words of other writers and the connections I make through my writing. Your reminder to keep expanding my own consciousness is something I will definitely take to heart as I continue to write. And you’re right, reading and writing is about connecting with others and knowing we’re not alone in our thoughts and experiences. Thanks for sharing the wisdom of Theroux and Eliot, I’ll definitely be keeping that in mind as I work towards my goal of making a living with my words in 2023.
That is really good that you have been on what we call a Writers Retreat. I will continue to write the occasional short story on my blog, but as you say books take priority because of the work you need to put into them, as I know only too well. That doesn’t mean you should be saying Goodbye forever to your blog though and your short stories Sebastian. If you get the occasional idea for one, then let us all read it! Consider a newsletter even. Remember one important thing my friend. You are an Author now and we are all so proud of you.
Thank you, Carol, for your kind words and support. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, and it means a lot to hear from readers like you who enjoy my work. The retreat was a great experience, but I’m happy to be back and continuing to write. I’ll definitely keep your suggestion in mind and share any short stories or updates with my readers. It’s always good to know that there’s an audience out there, and your encouragement means a lot.