Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Post: Reflecting Back On Fourteen Years



Amazing. Just think. Fourteen years ago, I began to write seriously. This literally accounts for half of my life. One. Half. And this experience has taken me through every imaginable avenue in the metropolis of writing.

And I loved every single second of it!

Four years ago, I made a deal with my wife, a deal akin to the stories of Dean Koontz or James Dashner: Land a contract or get published by age 30 ... or get a real job.

I'm 29 today. Goal unreached. It's crunch year, folks!

If the universe is willing, I'll have two new novels written before this time next year. Let's do this!

Oh! And you know what would make a great birthday present? 400 followers. The sooner that number is reached, the sooner I can launch my next giveaway!

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The UVU Book Academy was great fun! Not only did I get to attend a few fabulous classes, but I got tapped on the shoulder by none other than the famous Donna Weaver!

(I have demon-eye pics to prove it!)

Also in attendance was Tasha Seegmiller, Elana Johnson, and many, many more! It was awesome to be there for my first time. I'll see you all again next year!

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Between the Platform Building Campaign, The Rule of 3 Blogfest, and learning to navigate Twitter, my time for blogging the way I'd normally like to doesn't exist anymore! Not to worry, my friends. Once October is past, some level of normalcy will find its way back.

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Thank you all for checking out inkPageant.com over the weekend and for your participation. We're receiving a healthy number of hits daily (which is great for a new site). We would love to review more links. The more links, the better. Why? Because links are yummy!

It should be known that my stock in inkPageant is just a moderator, tester, and a general supporter. Credit for its creation lies with Darren and LaChelle Hansen.

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Update: Got a few words in on both stories over the weekend, as well as some much needed home repair work. Went to Ikea. Got a collection of Billy bookcases that'll go great with my corner writing nook area.

 Handsome, no?

Now that I have a new prompt for the next Rule of 3, I better get to work on drafting the next segment. Check back tomorrow for Part 2 of Lady In Wanting.

I'm David, and nature gave me a car wash!


26 comments:

  1. Look who is so fancy with glass doors on their bookcase! I'd actually be afraid to get bookshelves from Ikea after hearing the tales of a friend's Ikea bed that breaks whenever he moves.

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  2. So... I had no idea we were the same age! :D Awesome! My goal was a book contract before I hit 30 as well. We'll see if that happens. lol :) And I LOVE those bookcases!!

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  3. You're doing great, David, and I don't believe you should up and quit if the magical success doesn't happen by age 30. What if it's supposed to happen at age 30 and 2 days? Keep going for your dreams. I quit once a long time ago and started back 2 years ago. I regret all the time I've wasted.

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  4. Happy Birthday! This is great. The UVU conference sounds awesome. Wish I could have been there. I know you can reach your goal - AND if you want to know why... go read the interview on my blog today. You just might find something to make you smile!

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  5. Hey, great bookcase, and a greater congrats on the 14 years. It takes dedication and lots of TIME.

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  6. Happy Birthday! This is your year! :)

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  7. I love the comment about the 30 years and 2 days! It's so true! Don't give up - I waited way too late to start my writing career. Happy Birthday! (or you could just stay 30 every year - that might work)

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  8. Another awesome person at the UVU thing. My crew was up the road in Park City. I'll catch you at the next Utah thing!

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  9. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great year!

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  10. Happy Birthday! I have full confidence in you. One year. That's like, a whole 365 days. 366. You can do it :)

    And those bookshelves ... I want them :)

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  11. It's crunchtime. You can do it, man. I believe in you. :-)

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  12. Brinda, I don't think David is going to quit if he gets to 30 w/o a contract. He's just going to get a job. There is a big difference :D

    You go, David! Hit it hard and you'll get there. I'm impressed with your gumption. (I don't think I even know what that word means.)
    But sufficeth to say, I'm impressed.

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  13. Fourteen years - that's awesome! I wish I would have started much earlier (I can still count the number of years I've been serious on one hand). Here's to hoping that this year is the year!

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  14. Here's to hoping the next year rocks and your dreams materialize.

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  15. You're fortunate to have a supportive wife. Please make it pay off. Get that best-seller out there. Forget blogging for a while if you have to. Devote every waking second to finishing and publishing your first novel. That's the most important thing, isn't it?

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  16. I'm follower #399, so you're almost there! Good luck with meeting your 2-novels-by-next-year goal! :)

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  17. Everyone - Your ongoing support is what makes me smile at the end of each day. Thank you for your encouragement and well wishes.

    Shelly is right. I won't up and quit writing. I could never do that. The time invested just won't be nearly as much as it is now. It's time to make best the time that's given to us!

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  18. Happy Birthday, David! You can do it! :)

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  19. Hi David. Thanks for stopping by the blog. I can't get you a publishing deal, but I can help you with one of your goals...

    400th follower here! :D

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  20. You reached 400! I did today as well, we are like twinners in the blogosphere! So I missed out on the UVU thing, but I only found out about it a few days before and couldn't get a sitter :( maybe next year!

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  21. Happy Birthday David, and huge congratulations on 400 followers. Now go write the next bit of Lady in Wanting for me :-)

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  22. Happy birthday, I'm sure you can reach your target :)

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  23. Happy birthday! I believe you can do it if you hang in there!

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  24. Belated happy birthday! I started writing over thirty years ago (I guess that would be before you were born) but not seriously until a few years ago. I will happen for you!
    And hope you hit four hundred followers.

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  25. IT will happen for you...
    Crap, long day!

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