Sometimes we get exactly what we need, just when we need it.

Yesterday's fan mail came at just the right time. I was at that point (again) where I wonder why I bother writing. It certainly isn't for the money. I'm sure I'm the only writer who's ever felt this way, but just in case there's another one of you out there wondering why bother, here's the fan letter (with the author's permission):

Hi Mr. Perry,

I just wanted to thank you again for writing Darkside and Darkside 2. I sampled them several years ago, over 6 to be exact, online—and you sent me .pdf's to my email then as well…I have kept them, and read them several times—but just recently found that you were on amazon, so I bought and downloaded the two books to my kindle…to support you just because…

Anyway—I'm sure you get this a lot, but life is just friggin tough sometimes…and I've had a particularly rough patch lately—and these books have just let me drift away in comfort. I love them. I know them, and the characters…and they make me feel better. I have re-read these books probably 6 or 7 times now, and they never get old.

I was just catching up on your journal, and I hope you are still writing. You have such talent. I wish I could do more than just buy your books, but alas I am not that important or that inclined, but I do so enjoy your writing. I'm just a 45 year old dad, trying to get by…and your books help.

Thank you for your books, sir. You are appreciated.

I have no illusions about my writing. I know I'm not writing WAR AND PEACE. All I've ever strived for in my work is to be entertaining. Even if I had never made a cent from my writing, this letter proves it was all worth it.

So keep writing. You never know how your work touches those who read it.