Peter Wright's Blog
August 10, 2013
After the Excitement
I've been hooked on writing ever since.
It was probably around this time, or perhaps a couple years later, that I told my parents I wanted to be an author when I grew up. My parents were and are to this day, very supportive of my writing. They've always encouraged me, even in as simple a way as commenting how well-written an email was. That day, however, when I told them of my career path, I remember Dad saying, "Well, it might be a good idea to have something to fall back on."
One might assume that Dad had little faith in my ability to make it as a writer. I guess, in a way, that's true. But it wasn't because he didn't believe I have talent as a writer - he was just doing his fatherly duty and reminding me that dreams are great, but it's not a bad idea to have a backup plan that can help fund those dreams.
He was, of course, right.
In June of 2013, I finally realized my dream of becoming a published author. Sure, I self-published, but still, there's a book out there that I wrote! It's listed on Amazon and people can actually buy it. When the page for my book first went live, I was ecstatic! I had finally done it!
I was also very nervous. Not being one full of self-confidence, I began to realize that now people were going to actually start reading this labor of love I'd been working on for nearly four years. It turns out that people actually like it - even people who weren't related to me (at the time I'm writing this, that has been two people I know of who have written reviews on Amazon).
But now, the sales of my book have halted. I just don't have the money needed to properly PR my book. That's one of the downfalls of self-publishing. I did send a copy to Ellen DeGeneres, but my book probably arrived there after she went on Summer hiatus. Still, I'm hopeful that she (or someone that works for her) will read the book and consider giving it a mention on her show. It's another dream, sure, but at least I still have my school bus driving to fall back on. You were definitely right, Dad.
Another dream of mine is about to be realized. My local library, The King County Library, has ordered four copies of my novel for their system. Though the order has yet to appear on the CreateSpace website as a future royalty payment, I'm thrilled with the idea that I'll be able to walk into the library one day and see my book on the shelf.
Even better: watching my book being taken off the shelf by a potential reader.
For now, though, I'm in that lull period that follows excitement; that plane ride back home after an awesome vacation where you know you're going back to work on Monday. I'm working on my next book, a zombie novel. I realize that working on a zombie novel in 2013 is like releasing a superhero movie in 2013. It's been done to death.
This one will be at least special to someone I know because I'm dedicating it to her and, at her request, another person (I'm holding off those details for later - you can read the dedication in the book when it's published).
In the meantime, I'll ride this low after the incredible high. I'll go back to driving a school bus in September because I followed my dad's sage advice and got a fallback career that pays the bills. Who knows, maybe more excitement is on the horizon. Maybe Neil Patrick Harris will accidentally stumble on my book while browsing Amazon and he'll buy a copy. Then, he'll love it and decide he should direct the film version. I imagine he'll call me personally to talk about buying the movie rights - at least once I've calmed down from getting a phone call from my idol NPH.
I'm dreaming again.
Here's the thing: I believe in dreams, now. I've realized not one, but two of them. I know it can be done!
Here's to the dreamers!
