I have been writing for almost fifteen years. I really feel this is one of my strongest skills. I believe I am good at many things. When it comes to writing, I feel great. Have I been professionally published? No. Have I sold lots of stories and made money from my writing? Not really. Have I self-published and sold a few to people who were not friends or family? Kind of I guess. It is not an easy market to jump into but I believe I have been writing long enough and have acquired enough knowledge and skill to really change the world through writing.
If you are reading this than I have already succeeded in one small way. Who knew that was all it took? It does not matter how much money one makes, or how many times one is published. That is the business of writing, yes, but that is not what makes a great writer. I can insert a couple of popular contemporary writers who are simply terrible. I do not think this is the fault of the writer but more of the editor and the agent for not working to make the writing better. That is the purpose of agents and editors, to make the story or book marketable and profitable. That is all.
So, with the marketable/profitable angle, I am in no way successful. From the artist perspective, I have made a small impact on a few people. That is the purpose for any artist; to make people feel something. It does not matter what it is if the person has some feeling from the artist’s work. It could be anger, happiness, melancholy, ambivalence, whatever… I recently realized this was, on a small scale, the purpose of human interaction. We are here to make each other fell something.
People have spent centuries trying to discover what it all means. I think the poets, painters, sculptures, writers, and any other artists are closer than anyone else. The purpose of life is to create and to feel. Unfortunately, everyone just wants to be numb and destroy everything. Now more than ever does the world need painters and poets and any other artists. Now more than ever does the world need to create and to feel. It is in emotions that we are reminded of our humanity. It is creation that brings out the best in everyone. So, I write.
When I feel something strongly, I write. When I cannot find the words, I write. I do not always write about what has transpired but when I write something, when I create something, it brings out the best I have and makes me feel like I have a purpose. While I don’t know what it is exactly, I have a divine life purpose. I have a soul mission. I have a reason for being and I think it involves writing. Maybe most of you will not read this. Maybe most of you in the world will ignore anything I can offer. That will never stop me from writing because sometimes writing is the only thing I have.
I have submitted one of my short stories for publication in an online magazine. I probably will not hear from them for a couple months, if at all, but I will keep everyone updated on the progress of this. I am working on polishing some other stories to then submit to other publications. The main goals are to build up some publishing credits and earn a few extra dollars along the way. By obtaining publishing credits, I stand a better chance of getting some of my other works published by traditional publishers. That of course is if my stories are accepted for publication.
James Pack 