A quick moment of self-promotion: “Shadows Across The Pond” is coming this week. I thought it would be published by now, but the review process on Amazon is taking longer than usual. Stay tuned!

BLOGGING
How many of you have a blog? I’m just curious. Why do you have one? What value do you get from it? You can answer in the comment section if you want; or don’t! I started out blogging as a way of adding to my writing platform. Today, though, I simply blog because I enjoy it. My following is small, but I’m fine with that. It’s just for my enjoyment, and the interaction with others is a pleasant bonus for this introvert.
How about vlogging? Podcasting? Facebook Live? Do any of you do any of that?
I still think I’m going to do a podcast one of these days. Self-deception is a wonderful thing. It’s like taking hallucinogenic drugs without taking the drugs.
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
A confession: I’m a Youtube junkie! I love videos about tiny houses and farming. Right now I’m hooked on two in particular: “Farmhouse Vernacular” and “Gold Shaw Farm.” The farmhouse video in particular is entertaining and habit-forming because of the young woman who produces and stars in it. She is simply a delight to watch. Very little of what she says about their farm applies to my life, but I enjoy her enthusiasm and her willingness to take on any job with a childlike spirit of adventure. Plus she’s kind of a goofy dork, and I like goofy dorks.
Anyway, I mention those two because they have huge followings on YouTube, and I suspect the huge followings are because of the delivery and personalities. You have to be able to sell your own work, whether you are a YouTuber or a writer or an artist. Without self-promotion, you are doomed to languish in relative obscurity. Now me, I’m quite comfortable living in obscurity, but there may be some of you who would enjoy a little limelight, so that’s why I mention it.
REFLECTIONS
From a writer’s standpoint, I wish I was younger. I wish I had started this writing journey twenty years ago, when I had the time, desire, and fortitude to really dive into it and make a success of it. Today, well, I just write because I enjoy it. I doubt seriously if I’ll ever find fame, but I’m fine with that. It would be nice to receive a sizeable income from my writing, but the effort it would take, today, to make that happen just isn’t something I’m willing to expend.
I’m just being real!
I know I can write. I know I can write well, and that’s all the confirmation and affirmation I need.
It’s nice to be that secure. It took me a long time to reach this point of inner-security in my life, but I finally made it, and for that I say “HOORAY!”
I hope this finds you well! Have a fantastic week, stay healthy, and I’ll catch you down the road of life.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”