I haven’t written on this site for a while. It’s not like I’ve taken a break from writing. The opposite is true, actually, I’ve been so busy that this blog just wasn’t important to me. Besides, it’s not like I have thousands of followers, so I didn’t feel like I was disappointing throngs of people by not writing here.
How the hell do people get thousands of followers, anyway? It blows me away, really. I was watching some Youtube channels last night, and one woman has like ten-thousand followers for her channel, and the whole thing is about renovating an old farmhouse in Kentucky. Now granted, she’s a good-looking woman, and I hope I doesn’t sound sexist but that has to help, right? But still, ten-thousand loyal followers?
And the leader on Youtube in 2018 was a seven-year old kid who did toy reviews, had millions of followers, and made $22 million that year. A seven-year old kid.
Anyway, I have a couple dozen, and I’m grateful for them.
THE BOOK
One more read-through and then “Shadows Across The Pond” will be complete. Give me a week after that, and it will be published. So let’s call it a November 1st Publishing date.
I had plans to then write a stand-alone novel about growing up in the 60’s, but my wife, Bev, had other plans for me. She wants me to re-write my very first novel, “The 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday To Today,” in my writing style today. In fact, she wants me to write a trilogy based on that original book.
So that’s what I’m doing. The working title of that new, old book, is “Resurrecting Hope,” and I’m kind of excited to do it. It’s a fantasy about climate change, and the environment, which is actually what my other blog, “The Art of Living Simple,” is about.
There are times when Bev knows me better than I know me, and that’s a bit frightening.
So that’s what I’ve been doing. I wish I was younger, if only because I would do this writing thing a bit differently. I would take social media seriously, and use my marketing degree to help me self-promote and actually, like, make an effort to sell my writing.
But that just doesn’t interest me now that I’m seventy-two. I write now for my enjoyment, and if others find my words to be of interest, fantastic. If not, well, I’m still having fun.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Happy for an update here. And like you I have been more quiet on my blog the last few months with working my full-time project manager job with website design for larger corporations and such. But always happy to stop in and catch up when I can with you. Have a wonderful Tuesday and week ahead now, Bill 🙂
Great to hear from you, Janine! I get nervous when friends “disappear,” but I know you are ridiculously busy. Take care, my friend, and stay healthy.
I am not sure about YouTube content. But I have been surprised that some good poets and writers have no likes or followers. Some WordPress bloggers get 10,000 or more followers within a few months. However, it should be noted that these ‘lucky’ ones visit many other sites, like many posts and comment on them. So, in a way, they are paid back for their sincerity. Also, the visuals and the original pictures on our posts may have an important role to play. I don’t get many visitors too, but I enjoy blogging. So, no complaints😊 Hope you get many more likes and followers in your future posts. Good luck on your book.
Thanks, Nightlake! Truth be told, I’m grateful for whatever ones I do get, and I lose no sleep over the ones I don’t. I just blog because, like you, I enjoy it.
Just one question, Bill. If you don´t write for your ow enjoyment, what´s the use of writing?
Carry on, my friend!
I’m still have a blast, William, and that’s good enough for me. Have a great vacation, and thank you!
Good Luck for your upcoming release, Bill.
There is a lot of work involved before an author releases her/his work.
Just wish the readers appreciate that…sigh!
There is for sure, Ruchira! Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate you.
I am still busy doing other things that I too feel are more important than writing here. I would love to check out your latest book!
Donna, life just gets in the way sometimes, and owning a new home is definitely an example. Thanks for finding the time to stop by. I hope you are well.
I’m so excited for the latest ‘Shadow’ instalment. I can’t wait to see Striker let loose in London.
Funny thing, I’ve wondered if you would ever rewrite ’12/59′. I enjoyed the first incarnation. Now I’m curious to see how you’ll rework it. I’d be interested in reading more backstory on some of the supporting characters. By the way, will ’12/59′ ever be available in paperback? I’ve got it on Kindle, but there’s nothing like having a real book.
The idea for a trilogy is a good one. You may have hinted at a sequel in some past writings and I would love to know what happened to everyone.
At any rate, don’t let me keep you. Off you go, back to your laptop and get cracking. I’m not known for my patience. :D.
Have a great day, Bill.
You and me both, Zulma! Patience is not my strong point.
The Shuttle is in paperback, and it is on Amazon. If I get a spare second I’ll share the link with you. I love the book, but I don’t love the writing, so a re-write is definitely necessary.
Two more week until I turn Striker loose. I hope you like it.
Happy Hump Day, my friend!
No need to send the link. I found it and put it on my shopping list.
You have a good day, too.
Hi Bill. Normally at this time of year, I’m writing up a storm. But this year with different circumstances I’ve not had the desire to write.
Congratulations on your upcoming book.
Thanks Susan! I hope you get back on track soon, my friend. I look forward to your return.
Bill, I’m thrilled you’re finally listening to Bev. My all-time favorite novel of yours is The 12/59. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve told you that I could buy myself dinner!
Your style varies depending on the genre. You know I love mysteries, especially those that incorporate the paranormal—and you do that well. But my favorite is your first. I didn’t know you very well back then, but I read it in two days and fell in love. In fact, I won a copy by way of one your first photo prompt challenges on HP way back in the day. The 12/59 epitomizes the Bill I grew to know and love. And Bev is right alongside you throughout the entire novel.
I look forward to what you come up with. BTW, where did the original title come from and what does it signify?
Sha, I thought of you when Bev proposed this re-writing. You are such a fan of that book, and your support and praise fed me for a long time after writing it, so thank you! The original title? The 12/59, you mean? I wrestled with that for a long time. It’s the date in the orphanage, of course, but right now I don’t remember the exact impetus to make that the title. Shame on me, and shame on old age.
That’s interesting. I don’t know why I haven’t asked before now. I December 1959 the month you were placed in the orphanage? When did your parents adopt you?
Oh no, not me. I was put in the orphanage in October, 1948. I just picked that date for the characters in the book. 🙂 Since I was writing it in first person, I couldn’t pick my own orphanage date. It would have made the character too old.
I’m glad to hear you’ve been writing Bill, that’s a very atmospheric and enticing cover for the latest in the Shadows series.
Thank you so much, Andrea! I think my friend did a wonderful job designing that cover. I’ll be happy to get this one published so I can move on to the next one.
Holy crap- $22 million dollars a year? I don’t get it Bill, people will spend their time watching seven year-olds opening toys then watching something that actually would count as something.
Anyways, the book sounds interesting. Not to mention the cover is very nice.
It blew me away, dogs, when I read that. I mean, I understand cute, but holy cow! Cute sells, I guess is the lesson from that. It means I don’t have a prayer of making money on Youtube, because I’m not cute at all. lol Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it.
I market for others and earn a decent living doing so. I write for others and earn a decent living doing so. Yet bringing it home and doing the same for myself and my writing… it feels different. They should have a class on how to get over the internal stuff that makes us resistant to going all out for ourselves the way we do for others.
I’m excited for the new book. My daughter loves the cover, as she’s been studying European countries and immediately asked, “Is that England?!” I told her she has to be older to read it but she’s free to stare at the cover.
I see some folks with many followers and no interaction. Others with few followers and much interaction from those few. I’d take the latter any day. True connection and relationship, unless you’re just selling. For folks blogging just to sell their services or products, then the numbers matter since few followers actually buy from most of the places with a large following. It’s actually the email list nor the blog followers where people “make their money”.
Forgive any typos… using the phone for my screen this morning in an effort to step away slowly from the computer and enjoy a day of photography. It’s working well so far. Facepalm.
No forgiveness necessary, Shell! You did better on the phone than I would have.
I make good supplemental income from writing. I could make more if I actually worked at it, but I enjoy writing novels too much, and I would have to give that up if I increased my writing for others. Choices!
I think I have a lot of followers online until I see these “influencers” who have hundreds of thousands. That puts my ego in its place very quickly. lol
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
I’m glad you made this choice. One day, I’ll be able to do the same. I look forward to that day. I dream of living near the beach and mountains and writing all day for myself. I’ve had that vision since I was about 4 or 5 and it’s never left. I’m just not disciplined enough right now so I do it for others so I have deadlines I’ll stick to while I work through self-trust issues and learn to stick to one for myself!!
Have a great weekend! Off to get moving and take some pics of my beautiful state today and get fresh air!
Wonderful to know you have been busy writing Bill. Good luck with your publication my friend… And there are certainly Shadows across the Pond right now… Its been very bleak here in our second full lockdown
I have not been on WP in a while.. So I am clicking on my browser saved sites lol.. and this among them… As I will try to make a greater effort this week to catch up with a few good friends..
Sending well wishes to you and Bev… I hope you listen to her wisdom and that a trilogy is born.. 🙂
Take care.. Lots of Hugs from across the pond..
Sue 🙂 🙏💚
Thank you for the hugs, Sue! We all need them right about now. The second lockdown is happening in the States as well. My son, 36, hasn’t worked since March. My wife’s brother, same thing. Everyone is getting squeezed by this, and the sooner that vaccine is released, the better. We need people back at work.
Blessings always, Sue!
bill
Yes Bill we do, but I would hang fire with the Cure my friend …. Lots of conflicting evidence I am unearthing in my own research… And I for one do not intend to be guinea pig for big pharma… So hang fire my friend as long as possible..