A New Beginning…

I had hoped, desperately and rather foolishly, that I would be able to focus full time on releasing work via Amazon with the release of Action Jackson.

It was work I had edited very thoroughly, with cover art that is extremely professional, laid out in a fashion that is highly pleasing to the eye.  The writing was exceptional, the idea very unique and still approachable, and my protagonist is amazing.  Not my choice of words there, either.

What I have realized, after a release almost three times as effective as my last few have been, is that not even a fantastic weekend will make up for the fact that I made zero dollars with the project.  I might, given sufficient time and interest.  But for now, not so much.

Then, today threw me the second wonderful moment of the young 2018.  I have a Patreon supporter.  A real, live, honest-to-goodness supporter!  Someone willing to pay money to enjoy the privilege of reading my work. That’s a weighty moment.  It’s a moment of validation that I had figured would take me all year.

It further means that I have inherited certain duties and obligations.  None of which are beyond me, all of which are within my means, and more importantly, I can feel a sense of momentum.  It is always the first of these things which are the hardest.  The struggle to find your first patron, your first contract, your first big hit.  It is the quest for firsts that breaks so many that attempt them.  Not me though.

It’s not because I’m better than others.  I’m not.  It’s not because I’m smarter, or more talented.  I am minimal in both categories.  It is because I have refused to quit, despite all the evidence that it was the right move.  I refuse to break under the pressure of my own failures.  I looked at my own inadequacies head on, and I did not blink first. 

I am not better than anyone but myself.  And that is the biggest secret to success of them all.

Stubbornfully,
Justin