Humble

Humble
I’m having a good month! I won first place in the Beverly Hills Book Awards, I won the Bronze medal in the Drunken Druid Book Awards in Ireland, and the Silver medal in the IPPY Book Awards. In total, my latest novel “Love and Happiness” has won five awards so far. It’s something to be proud of. I am proud of those accomplishments, but I can’t let it get to my head.



Winning awards, receiving positive reviews, and decent sales are great, but I know for me to continue to strive, I have to keep my hunger. Is it nice to have your ego fed every now and then? Of course, it is, but I can’t lose who I am as a man to my success.



A lot of people don’t know that I’ve kept all the rejection emails I received from agents, publishers, and small presses from when I first began writing. I have them in a folder called the “Hurt Locker”, and read them to remind myself that I still have a long ways to go. I do well as an independent, but my books aren’t in every bookstore. I’m still not a household name. I read the negative reviews that I’ve received too. Some are from people who don’t like me personally, but there are also those who just didn’t get my stories. Reading the negative critics help to level my head and inspire me to improve to make stronger novels.



One of my favorite songs is “Don’t let it go to your head” by Brand Nubian. I like it because it explains what can happen if you don’t stay grounded.



I’ve done well for myself winning sixteen awards in total for all of my works, but I want to go further than that. My goals are: Have my books adapted to film, become globally known as an author and philanthropist, and have my books in bookstores around the country. Since I’m not there yet for any of those goals, I can’t allow my current success to make me “big headed.”



In conclusion, when I post that I’ve won awards or other accolades, my intent is never to boast or brag. I’m trying to thank all of those who helped me get to these accolades and inspire authors and potential authors. For me to reach my major goals in life, I have to stay focused, stay humble, and stay positive. Hopefully, this blog will help me to inspire other authors.


Love and Happiness

Ben Burgess Jr.