Middle-School Confidential - An Optimist is Born

I came across this essay I wrote a few years ago, and thought you might find it interesting. While I have said repeatedly on this page that you are never too old to be creative, this reminded me that you are also never too young. The opportunity to encourage creativity in people of all ages is a gift to both the giver and the recipient.

Yesterday I did my first school visit as an author. The occasion was the career fair at my great-niece's middle school.

The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) was looking for people with interesting jobs to serve as presenters for their eighth-grade career fair. Although I live 100 miles away, I raised my hand and volunteered to take a day off from the day job (I wrote this when I still had a day job) and show up. Besides, it would give me the opportunity to combine the trip with a visit to local bookstores, so I would get double use of my travel time.

I asked them to list my job title as "Mystery Writer," figuring that might sound more exciting than "Published Author." Or at least friendlier somehow.

In the days leading up to the event I found myself worrying about a million things. What if I dressed like a dork? What if they didn't want to know about writing? What if they thought writing wasn't cool? What if nobody talked to me?

Good grief! It was like being in junior high all over again!

The big day finally arrived. I put on my best outfit, loaded up a bag of books, my laptop, and my Kindle. I figured if everybody ignored me I could always work on the latest book, or read the newspaper.

I think that was the same defense I used in junior high, too.

I arrived at the school a little before the 9:30 start time, and was admitted to the gym foyer by one of the parent volunteers. She asked if I was one of the "vendors" which completely threw me. I managed to stammer out that I was there for the career fair, but couldn't for the life of me come up with the word "presenter."

I was directed to a table where they gave me an adhesive name badge, and showed me a map of the gym. There were tables around the entire huge room, with a different person as each one. There were representatives from banks and a local retail chain, along with EMTs, police, military, lawyers, engineers, salespeople - a wide variety. I found my table between a professional musician (viola) and the local librarian, who was in charge of children's services and seemed to know every kid that came by.

I spread out my books, impressing myself with the range displayed. I hadn't taken anything I would worry about a young teen picking up, but I still had a dozen or more titles on the table. Two ALIAS novels, a couple STAR TREKs, a sweet romance, some fantasy anthologies, and the three-book mystery series.

I was ready. And just as nervous as when I was meeting new kids in sixth grade.

The kids came in two groups, one each hour. I have no idea how many kids were in each group, but I'd guess fifty or so. They were brought it and released to circulate around the room and talk to the people whose jobs they were interested in.

Then something amazing happened. They started coming by my table and talking to me! Some of them picked up books and asked about them. A couple even took business cards with my email address. And one even read the blurb on one of the mysteries and said she would go look for it.

But that wasn't the best thing.

The best thing was their questions, and the things they told me. One girl spent several minutes talking to me about the book she's writing. She told me she writes adventure games with her friends, and she wanted to be sure she didn't take her friends' ideas for her book. She didn't want it to be too "Twilight-y" either. I admit to being very impressed with her resolve to do original work.

I answered the "Where do you get ideas?" question several times. I understand it; I had the same question when I started writing. I told them to keep asking "Then what?" or "What if?" and to read and listen and watch what goes on around them. Ideas are everywhere if you are open to them, but that kind of curiosity needs to be encouraged.

Another question I got a lot was "What kind of college do you need?" I told them they didn't need a degree in English to be a writer, and bolstered that with the evidence that my degree is in Accounting. I told them to study what interested them, whether that was history, or mathematics, or engineering. Everything you learn will feed your writing.

One kid asked me how much free time I had. Not wanting to go into an explanation about balancing a day job and a writing career, I told him I had as much free time as I wanted. But when I took free time I wasn't making any money, and if I took too much free time I wouldn't be able to pay my bills.

They asked about job satisfaction, what I liked best about my job, and about financial security. Try explaining the roller-coaster-ride that is freelance income to a thirteen-year-old in less than two minutes!

Several asked which of the books on the table I had written, and I was able to proudly say, "All of them." That got some surprised, and respectful, looks.

They wanted to know how long it took to write a book, how long it took to get it published, and which book was my favorite.

Most of all, they wanted to know what working as a writer was like, and they had good questions.

Clearly, they had been discussing the career fair in class, preparing a list of general question. Some of them read from their lists, or consulted their notes. Some of them asked a question or two and moved on, but some lingered for several minutes, asking more questions, like the girl who was writing a book and wanted to talk about it.

I don't know if any professional writers will come out of the classes I talked to yesterday, but I do know this:

There are some really bright, level-headed, curious, and engaging youngsters out there. Our world will be in their hands soon. And after yesterday I have a good feeling about that.

Thanks, Rosemont Ridge Middle School, for reviving my optimism!

Life Skills

Today I am facing a serious deficiency in my acquired life skills; it is nearly impossible for me to nap. Not since I was a very small child have I been able to lay down in the middle of the day and actually sleep.

Oh, I can zone out, certainly. Usually in front of the television, or when a book isn't holding my interest. But deliberately go to sleep in daylight? Not likely!

I envy people who can do this. My son has had this talent since he was a kid. He could run at top speed for hours, then instantly switch off and go to sleep. Nap time was accomplished by finding something that would stop him for a couple minutes at which point he would fall asleep. It was a skill that served him well in college, when sleep was generally in short supply.

I suppose a shrink could delve into my psyche and help me uncover the reason behind this lack, but I have learned to live with it. For the most part.

Do you suppose the labeling of this image as "couch potato" could have something to do with my mental block against naps? I suspect the categorization of naps as lazy and unproductive runs very deep.

The issue today is compounded by the intensity of the last week. I'm wiped out and my brain is overflowing. A nap would be lovely, but I just can't make it work.

Intensity? you ask. Yes. As you know, I am once again retired. For real this time, I swear! It's been two weeks since I was in the office. (Does this start to sound like a twelve-step meeting?) In that time I have answered one email - to congratulate a colleague on a major accomplishment - and spent a half-hour on the phone answering a question and pointing the "new guy" in the right direction.

That doesn't sound very intense, except ... The last day in the office was a Friday, and the following Thursday we left on a business trip. Which meant we spent most of the week preparing for the long drive to Central California and on to Las Vegas for a trade show. We still aren't comfortable flying, and the drive allows us to stop and visit our son along the way.

At least we got some blue skies and palm trees thrown in!

The show, Las Vegas Licensing Expo, was three days of exhibits, meetings, lectures, hype, information overload, and walking. Five or six miles each day of walking. Every evening we met with a group of fellow creators to discuss what each of us had seen or done or learned. There was way more than one person could absorb each day, and by sharing our experiences we were able to gain a greater understanding of the topic - especially since for many of us this was our first encounter with the Expo.

(Note: I would highly recommend this approach to anyone visiting a large exhibition of any kind. You won't be able to see or do everything, so find some friends to swap stories each day. Don't wait until the end of the show, you will be so overwhelmed you will have forgotten half of day one by that time. Meet over a meal, or at a coffee shop, in a lobby, wherever you can find a quiet - or semi-quiet [this was Las Vegas, after all] - place to talk. We had a large suite that one of our group had rented and they generously invited us to share the space in the evenings. Those couple hours were invaluable to debrief after each day's activities.)

I will report on the show in a week or two, but I need to give the information and experience a chance to settle a little before I can speak coherently about it.

We fled Las Vegas ahead of the holiday weekend crowd (and holiday hotel rates) and are holed up in our son's apartment, decompressing. But after the long drive, three massively intense days of the show, and another long drive, we are dazed and exhausted.

Thus the desire, if not the ability, to take a nap.

While my nap issue is a very personal and peculiar thing, one I am trying to alter now that my situation will allow for naps, I suspect that we each lack skills that we wish we had. Skills that would enhance our creativity and make our lives better.

Is there a skill you wish you had? Have you tried to acquire that skill? Or learned to live without it? Will the change in circumstances as you move from the workday world to full-time creation change how you approach the issue?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Learn From Your Mistakes

We have talked before about not being the smartest guy in the room, and about taking risks and making mistakes.

I have been watching a lot of videos and listening to podcasts lately. Several times in recent weeks I have watched videos, or listened to a podcast, or read an article from one of my favorite creators addressing the necessity of making mistakes. Because mistakes are a necessary step in learning a new skill. If we don't make mistakes, we aren't testing the limits of our skills or expanding our horizons. If we only do what we are already good at, we never learn anything new.

These insights have come from several different directions. One of the major themes I have seen, and one that definitely applies to striking out on our own, as when we leave the team of a day job and begin our life as an individual creator, is being the one doing it all.

Creators who had camera operators, or audio techs, or video editors, were suddenly working in isolation. They became one-man (or woman) operations. They had to handle equipment, set up operations, and process their creations in ways some of them had not done in a long time.

And guess what? They made mistakes! Yeah, these men and women who have been making their living as creators, these pros, made mistakes. Some of them were doozies. Recordings where the audio suddenly dropped out. Video that went out of focus. There were audio tracks where the creator's voice was hoarse but these was no one to back them up, and projects where they forgot to turn on the camera for a portion of the build.

And what was the outcome of all these mistakes? The creators learned. By doing, by doing poorly, and figuring out where they messed up, and trying again. Sure, their efforts were not as polished, as professional as they would have wished. But the important thing was that there were creations that would not have existed otherwise - and they learned from their mistakes. 

Ultimately, no one was injured. The less-than-professional creations exist, and the creators gained new skills, or polished rusty ones. In the end they became better creators by learning from their mistakes. Some of them even gained new respect for their colleagues who helped make their creations look good. 

One of the things the last couple years has shown us is that the good creators, the ones we return to again and again, make it look easy. They appear at ease and in charge when on camera, or sound polished and in control on a podcast. Often this is the result of a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and the work of a team of creative people. The lockdown provided us a look behind the scenes and reminded us how hard these people work - and that they make mistakes.

This is the choice we have to make. To try new things, to test our limits, to do something that we are not already good at - and to make mistakes.

It's difficult. We want to be that accomplished, smooth creator, and it's scary to let yourself make mistakes. But you didn't learn to walk without falling down - a lot - until you learned how to control the muscles that provided both balance and motion. The same goes for gaining control of your creative muscles. 

it doesn't matter how many times you fall down. Just that you get back up one time more.

And learn from your mistakes.

News and Coming Attractions

I’ve been a bit scarce lately, and there were reasons. Here’s what I posted to Patreon a couple weeks ago. Some of the specific projects have been completed, but there’s more to come, as you will see!

As I said earlier, my daughter was here for Mother's Day weekend and I got a bit distracted. But it was more than that - a LOT more!

In the last few weeks my fiction production has taken up a much larger portion of my time (yeah, I will have more to say about time management), I've been learning new software (I'll have things to say about that, too), I've taken on several new projects (all good!), and the big news ...

I am retiring. 

Again. 

Third time's a charm. 

All that. 

As I told the folks at the day job - y'all stop laughing. I think I actually know the meaning of that word this time. Really.

I should have my special projects wrapped up, though there may be some occasional details I will have to address, but this Friday (2 days away!!) will be my last day in the office. I am already working at cleaning out my desk. Yes, again.

I have held off talking about this here until we actually got close to the day. I didn't want to jinx anything, and I kind of worried that something would happen at the last minute and I would get sucked back into giving them a few more days, or a couple more weeks. As a result, though, the day job has been sucking up a lot of time and energy over the last couple weeks, but that is coming to an end

The new department manager is absolutely determined not to pull me back in, and I think he can really do it. For starters, he is willing and able to ask for help the instant he realizes he will need it (yep, another topic we can talk about as we move forward), and he won't wait until the situation is dire.

The biggest takeaway from all of this is to learn from our mistakes (yet another topic for the future), and do better going forward. 

One of the other things that has taken up my attention is the promotion for the Write Stuff bundle, which included the first compilation of these columns. (The bundle expires in about 24 hours, at 10 pm Pacific time on Thursday May 12, for anyone who hasn't had a chance to pick it up. https://storybundle.com/writing)

Anyone currently subscribed to Patreon at the Kahlo level or above will get a copy of the ebook soon - the book was exclusive to the bundle - and it will be available for purchase shortly after that.

So that's the big news for now, and a peek at what's coming. I hope you'll all be with me for the months ahead!

Recommended Reading: Upgrade Your Thinking

Today's recommendation is a quickie, a blog post I came across recently that talks about that insidious little voice that keeps telling us we aren't good enough.

I have talked several times about that internal critic, the one that finds fault with everything we do, everything we create.

Max Daniels is a life coach with a monthly self-care column at Modern Daily Knitting, as well as her own blog and classes, etc. Her MDK column this month is about being kind to ourselves, and it is well worth a few minutes time to read.

https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/2022/04/29/self-kindness-upgrade-your-thinking/?mc_cid=8206ed598c&mc_eid=877965b7a7

Have a positive day, and a great week. I'll be back here next Sunday!

A Fresh Start

I missed postng here last week. There has been a lot going on, and my daughter was here for Mother’s Day, so I missed the week. I will be back on schedule now, and I have some news that I have been sitting on for a couple weeks - partially for fear I would jinx it by sharing before it happened.

Read on for an explanation!

Well, sort of.

Yesterday I walked out of the day job office for the last time. 

That doesn’t mean I won’t be back occasionally; I have already agreed that I will come for lunch a couple times a month and answer any questions that have come up. But for all intents and purposes I am no longer a full-time employee. I cleaned out my desk, had a couple cocktails in the bar with friends from the office, collected hugs, and shed a tear or two.

I will miss my ocean view.

There were several clues tha it was time for me to go. My patience had worn thin, I tired easily, and I’d reached the point where there was down time in the day - a clear indication that I’d completed most of what I was there for.

It does feel as though we have turned a corner. The department that was in disarray with the departure of the second manager in 10 months is running smoothly. The months of work left undone have been completed, as well as keeping the current tasks on schedule. The underlying structure has been rebuilt better and stronger, not just patched together.

I leave with a feeling of accomplishment, and no regrets.

This is perhaps the very best outcome I could have hoped for. The hours were long, the work was mentally, and occasionally physically, demanding, and my self-imposed standards and deadlines added to my stress - but in the end I accomplished everything I hoped for.

Today I went to lunch with friends, and Monday I am going to see a movie. In the middle of the day. Next week I am going to a trade show directly related to creative pursuits. In short, I am back in the world of being my own boss - I just have to figure out what kind of a boss I will be.

Let the adventure begin!

Lessons From Kickstarter

I wrote this post a couple weeks ago, and it just came up in the queue. The Kickstarter ended up funding at over 320%, and I am working now on fulfilling the rewards. I feel like I did learn a lot, and I am still learning as I move through the fulfillment process.

As of late this morning the Kickstarter is officially over 300% funded.

I have learned several things from this experience, which I will touch on in the coming weeks, but today I want to talk about the lesson that goes with the quote I shared earlier today.

This refers to the Quote of the Day, an irregular feature of the Patreon channel, which is not normally shared here. But since I reference it, here is the quote in question: “Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.”

Carrie Fisher

I finished this book last fall with the intention of running a Kickstarter for it before releasing it through all the usual channels. But by the time we got through copy editing and cover design there wasn't time to design and launch the campaign before the distraction of the holidays. Not MY distraction, but the backers' distractions. 

If I wanted to be successful, I needed to take timing into consideration. So I put off the launch until spring and worked on other things. There were several other projects to take up my time, but early this year as I was planning work schedules, travel, and various other deadlines I realized I had to put the Kickstarater on the calendar or it would never happen.

I set the dates, telling myself everything would be fine. I could do this. I just needed to spend a little time going over what I had learned and applying it to my campaign.

Soooo much easier said than done! I read and re-read the guide I purchased from a friend who has run several very successful campaigns. I watched and re-watched Teachable videos from another very successful campaigner. 

Pro tip: Never hesitate to access any and all resources. Both of these creators have been beyond generous with their time and experience. They are prime examples of the "be kind to newbies" advice I have given, and they both adhere to the philosophy of "pay it forward."

(Segue off-ramp, ignore if you already know this: "Pay it forward" is the idea that we can never "pay back" the help, encouragement, and advice we receive from those ahead of us on the creative path - because they are ahead of us. But while we can't pay it back, we can pay it forward by helping, encouraging, and advising those coming along behind us. Now back to your regularly scheduled post.)

But as the time to launch drew nearer fear crept in around the edges. What if I made a mistake? If my video was horrible? If I set the goal too high? If my reward levels were not right, and I lost money? Or I set them too high for the backers? Maybe I should wait and try to build up my social media followers? Did I need to have a better mailing list before we launched?

Yeah, I can do anxiety and second-guessing with the best of them!

I kept plugging along, juggling reward levels, picking stretch goals, deciding on add-ons. So much to think about! So many decisions!

Eventually though, the launch date arrived, I swallowed hard, shoved the fear to the back of my mind, and pushed the launch button.

Nothing blew up.

Nobody hunted me down and made me stop.

Nobody complained about the costs.

In fact, the campaign funded in just a few hours.

Yes, it was a low ask, which made funding easier, but that was completely deliberate. I mean, we were planning to publish the book even if the Kickstarter didn't fund. The book was written, we'd purchased the art, the cover was designed, we'd done the editing - it was ready to go, with or without the Kickstarter. Even if it didn't fund I could publish, and that all by itself was a success.

Si, in a nutshell, I moved ahead in spite of the fear. I set a goal that would feel successful, even if it was small. I gave myself permission to be afraid and DO IT ANYWAY.

Feed Your Creativity

Over the years I have heard people talk about “writer’s block,” and “waiting for the muse,” and several other phrases that imply creativity is some mysterious force over which we have no control.

If you are a full-time creative, someone who depends on their creative output to pay the bills, this is an indulgence you cannot afford. My husband has been a full-time writer all of our lives together, and I can tell you there are times that would have been absolutely terrifying if 1) he had waited for inspiration before creating new fiction, and 2) I did not have a steady day job that provided a minimum level of income.

You may be transitioning from a day job to being a full-time creative, and in that case you must continue producing whether or not your “muse” has shown their face today, or this week, or this month. I mean, have you had a repair appointment canceled because of “plumber’s block”? Or a surgery postponed because of “surgeon’s block”?

If you are retired and not dependent on your creative endeavors to provide financial support, that situation changes.

Still, there are reasons that we want to continue creating on a regular basis. We have talked at length about that in this series.

So what do you do when it feels as though your creativity has deserted you? How do you push forward, how do you make yourself create when you don’t feel like you want to?

I know a lot of creative people who would look askance at that question. They can’t imagine a situation in which their desire to create would disappear. That drive, that desire, is so central to their identity that it would be like losing the desire to breathe. Or eat. In fact, I know some people who would rather create - write, paint, sew, knit, bead, program - than eat, and who will forget meals when they are creating.

But for most of us, our creativity feels like a small, fragile part of us, and one that could be quashed at any moment.

The lesson we all must learn is that while you cannot force creativity, you can foster it. 

You can create the atmosphere, the conditions, that nurture and encourage creativity.

Do you find that you are more creative in the morning, or the evening? Plan your schedule so that those creative hours are free of obligations and interruptions.

Do you need quiet and solitude, or do you enjoy being in the middle of activity? Choose your workspace accordingly.

Does observing the art of others inspire you, or does it make you overly critical? Plan your consumption and creation of art in the way that feeds your creativity rather than inhibits it.

Feed your creativity. Give it the priority it deserves, and nurture it. Be aware of what you need to provide yourself with the time and space you need to be successful - by your own definition - and give yourself the gift of attention.

I'm In a Story Bundle!

This is an amazing collection! If you have an interest in writing, this is for you!!

THE 2022 WRITE STUFF BUNDLE

The 2022 Write Stuff Bundle - Curated by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

The business of writing is constantly changing. One of the great parts of being alive in 2022 is all of the available tech that makes publishing and promoting your writing easier than it ever was before. Not only is there more tech, there's also more places to publish, with some coming online daily, or so it seems.

Two things don't change. Storytelling remains both an art and a craft. Writers can learn how to be great storytellers, but it takes a lot of practice and focus. The first part is to learn the craft; the second part is to trust that inner voice.

The other thing that doesn't change in this modern world is the difficulties of living the writing life. Not because our profession is hard, but because we live inside our heads. And those heads are…well…filled with stories. We make things up, which is not the way to walk through the real world.

So in this StoryBundle, we've decided to address all of the above.

First, we have Lawrence Block's wonderful memoir, A Writer Prepares. Lawrence Block has been a professional writer for sixty years. He knows the ups and downs of the profession. He also still works on the cutting edge. This book, for example, is self-published, which is something he's done for more than ten years now.

Lawrence has forgotten more about how to survive as a writer than most of us will ever know.

To help with the life side of things, we have Christina F. York's Do… Quit Your Day Job. Writers are terrified to take that leap. Chris did and documented her first two years, warts and all. Her work will inspire you and help you make the decision for yourself.

Then, we have books and an online workshop on craft, all with a focus on storytelling. Holly Lisle helps you create great characters (and gives an free look at her workshops). Michael Lucas debunks all sorts of writing myths. WMG Publishing's online pop-up class (worth $150 all by itself) helps you write clean first drafts.

Not everyone wants to tell fiction stories. We're aware of that, so we've brought in Johanna Rothman to help you tell great nonfiction stories.

Then there are books that answer the eternal question…Are you ready to publish? In this new world, you—the writer—gets to decide. And while most of us find that freeing, others worry about it. DeAnna Knippling puts those fears to rest.

Now that your fears have rested, you'll want to publish. Mark Leslie, who has worked for Kobo and D2D as well as publishing his own works, will help you avoid all of the publishing pitfalls. My own book will help you start your writing business.

And then there's the completely fun bonus book: Joanna Penn's look at the new world of AI and the changing tech for writers. Joanna keeps her finger on the pulse of all that's new and different. This book explores everything from AI writing to block chain.

So much here! So many ways to improve your writing, your publishing, and your outlook. Not to mention educating yourself on what's coming in the future. You can get all of these books and workshops for as little as $20, but for a limited time only.

In addition, we've chosen a charity that helps people with disabilities join the online gaming community. The key word here is community, since so many people have become homebound. They need an outlet, and Able Gamers tailors gaming consoles and other equipment to individuals so that they can participate, make friends, and spend time with others, without leaving their homes.

So as you get all of this wisdom from the bundle, toss a few dollars at AbleGamers on the way out. We appreciate it! – Kristine Kathryn Rusch

* * *

For StoryBundle, you decide what price you want to pay. For $5 (or more, if you're feeling generous), you'll get the basic bundle of four books in any ebook format—WORLDWIDE.

• Domesticate Your Badgers by Michael W Lucas

• Publishing Pitfalls for Authors by Mark Leslie Lefebvre

• Writing Craft by DeAnna Knippling

• A Freelancer's Survival Guide to Starting Your Own Business by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

If you pay at least the bonus price of just $20, you get all four of the regular books, plus FIVE more books and an online lecture, for a total of 10 books and lectures. That includes two StoryBundle exclusives!

• A Writer Prepares by Lawrence Block

• Free Your Inner Nonfiction Writer by Johanna Rothman (StoryBundle Exclusive)

• Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Virtual Worlds by Joanna Penn

• Create a Character Clinic by Holly Lisle

• Do...Quit Your Day Job by Christina F. York (StoryBundle Exclusive)

• The Pop-Up Series - Clean First Draft Writing by Dean Wesley Smith

This bundle is available only for a limited time via http://www.storybundle.com. It allows easy reading on computers, smartphones, and tablets as well as Kindle and other ereaders via file transfer, email, and other methods. You get multiple DRM-free formats (.epub, .mobi) for all books!

It's also super easy to give the gift of reading with StoryBundle, thanks to our gift cards – which allow you to send someone a code that they can redeem for any future StoryBundle bundle – and timed delivery, which allows you to control exactly when your recipient will get the gift of StoryBundle.

Why StoryBundle? Here are just a few benefits StoryBundle provides.

• Get quality reads: We've chosen works from excellent authors to bundle together in one convenient package.

• Pay what you want (minimum $5): You decide how much these fantastic books are worth. If you can only spare a little, that's fine! You'll still get access to a batch of exceptional titles.

• Support authors who support DRM-free books: StoryBundle is a platform for authors to get exposure for their works, both for the titles featured in the bundle and for the rest of their catalog. Supporting authors who let you read their books on any device you want—restriction free—will show everyone there's nothing wrong with ditching DRM.

• Give to worthy causes: Bundle buyers have a chance to donate a portion of their proceeds to AbleGamers!

• Receive extra books: If you beat the bonus price, you'll get the bonus books!

StoryBundle was created to give a platform for independent authors to showcase their work, and a source of quality titles for thirsty readers. StoryBundle works with authors to create bundles of ebooks that can be purchased by readers at their desired price. Before starting StoryBundle, Founder Jason Chen covered technology and software as an editor for Gizmodo.com and Lifehacker.com.

For more information, visit our website at storybundle.com, tweet us at @storybundle and like us on Facebook.

I Am Not Brandon Sanderson

In the time since I wrote this post, my Kickstarter has funded. In fact, we are within a few bucks of 300% funded! It’s pretty easy to be happy with that kind of response. If you’re interested in seeing what I am talking about, here’s the link to MURDER BUYS A LEMON.

It’s not like I thought anyone was going to mistake one of us for the other. In fact we have very little in common beyond being writers and running Kickstarters for new books.

But that is exactly what we have in common, and why some people might be tempted to compare our crowdfunding trajectories. Because Sanderson just raised $41.7 Million, it would be easy to say he was far more successful than I have been – or expect to be.

Here’s the thing though. I am not Brandon Sanderson, and I DON’T NEED TO BE.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to have someone (or, more accurately, 185,341 someones) give me $41 million to write four books. But with that pile of money comes a lot of expectations, a ton of work, and a boatload of expenses.

To begin with Kickstarter takes 5% off the top, and the credit/debit card fees can take another 3-5%. Then there’s the work and expense of producing nearly 100,000 copies each of all 4 books. Sure, he has a highly dedicated and experienced crew, and they built in 9 months of production time, but it still means a lot of mental work, a lot of distraction, a lot of time managing the project.

I am quite happy for Sanderson that his project was a resounding success, and I wish him all the best as he deals with the very real logistical challenges he will face in the coming months.

I don’t aspire to such lofty heights (and the accompanying headaches). I have had my days of juggling multiple projects and competing deadlines, I was good at it, and now I am done.

In the past I have talked at length about the problems that we face when we compare ourselves to other creators. I could do that right now, could compare the modest amount my Kickstarter has raised against the juggernaut of Sanderson’s campaign, could view my tiny percentage of his total, and call my campaign a failure.

I could do that – if I thought I had to be Brandon Sanderson.

I have also talked several times about how we are able to create our own definition of success. That is precisely what I did when I set the funding goal at a very modest sum, one that I was relatively confident I could reach.

I decided what funding level would accomplish what I needed.

I set my own goal.

Sanderson asked his backers for a million dollars. That was how he defined success for his project, based on his needs and expectations, and he more than met that definition.

Using my own set of needs and expectations, I defined my own success.

This week has been an exhilarating experience because I chose to make it one. I defined my own success, I refused to make comparisons that belittled my accomplishment, and I chose to find joy in the work I was doing.

Those three things – all topics we have talked about before – combined to push me along the creative path, to boost my momentum, and to feed my desire to create.

It’s a great feeling, and one I hope you can find in your own creative life. Trust yourself, set your own goals, create your own definition of success, and find the joy that drives you to create your own art.