I’m seriously thinking of packing it in.
I mean, I will probably continue to write for my own amusement, since I need to fill my time somehow; but I am coming to the conclusion that it would be folly to try to publish anything further. The public simply does not want the kind of stuff I write. I have seen the kind of stuff that does sell, and it doesn’t appeal to me at all; so it does not stand to reason that what appeals to me would sell.
I am more disheartened than I can say.
EDIT, 27 August: I have ‘received a communication’ to the effect that it is my business to carry on, though no favourable outcome is promised. Cf. the Scriptural injunction against ‘hiding one’s light under a bushel’. My light needs no bushel; I could probably hide it comfortably under a thimble; but that is no excuse for doing so.
I thank all of you who responded with encouraging words. There appear to be more than 3.6 of you, a fact that confuses and astonishes me; but I never did master the New Math.
Nonsense. *I* want to read what you write, and so do the rest of your loyal 3.6 readers. If you’re going to write anyway, why not share it?
This sounds like depression talking. I’d rather hear what Tom has to say.
Wise not to make any decisions in this mood, which I’ve had a time or two myself.
I hope to at least see Superversive.
Indeed. I’ve read a book by a priest in which he said, “If you remember nothing else from this book, remember this: That making major decisions in a state of desolation is asking the Devil to be your spiritual director.”
You have made similar posts in the past, and each time ended up continuing.
By Grabthar’s hammer…
Being an optimist, I offer my go-to bromide: “Smile. It gets worse.”
Please don’t throw in the towel, Mr. Simon. You have much to offer the rest of us, and who really knows what the future will hold? Tomorrow might be a very different place.
Not meeting with material success in materially evil times is no cause for sorrow. On the contrary, it can be a badge of honor.
It could be that the world does not deserve your writing. All the more reason to produce more of it.
I like your stuff.
Since you seem to be in a miserable mood, I think I ought to mention that I (and several friends) have been using your essays to kick off our critique group lately. So I know you have at least three ardent admirers in my neck of the woods.
I, at least, enjoy your work, and was hoping to see more episodes of Angel’s Keep and the Superversive collection at least.
I am both encouraged and humbled to hear it.
Writing Down the Dragon brought far more depth to my appreciation of Tolkien then you could know. Lord Talon’s Revenge still elicits chuckles. Please keep up the good fight.
I love your writing, Mr. Simon.
I note that your communication, or at any rate your post about it, occurred on the feast of St. Monica. Someone well known for never giving up, despite all appearance of failure!
Late I am to pick up on your note of discouragement, been busy. But I’ve been waiting for the sequel to Where Angels Go to Die, which I just loved. I hate it that you’re just going to leave me hanging, but then I have ex girlfriends, so I’ll deal. Dude, you are GOOD, I’ll pray you don’t quit. Light under a bushel basket and all that. It occurs to me to ask, have you checked with The BOSS?
Tamquam
I have in fact checked with The BOSS since I made this post. He did not seem to have anything to say about my writing as of even date, but reminded me rather strongly that I have other tasks that urgently need attention. Everything is in a bit of a whirl right now.
Where Angels Die is frustratingly quiet in my head now, but I do intend to pick it up when these other matters are settled. I have reluctantly accepted that leaving people hanging is better than what TV Tropes calls ‘Author Existence Failure’.
Thank you very kindly for your support and your comment.
Good evening Mr. Simon. I would like to say that regardless of whether I am able to be any sort of hope or encouragement to you, you have certainly provided a great deal of hope and encouragement to me. If ever I do anything noteworthy with my life (such as writing half as many books as you have; or perhaps writing as many half as well), I will make it a point to seek you out and regale you with a few stories of how your work has gone further than perhaps you know.
I do not know you and cannot say what God’s plans for your life may be–so if you ever do decide to quit the relatively thankless job of writing, I will not have a thing to say against you. But know that there are those who appreciate your labors already made and would be sad to see you go.
I am woefully late, as is my wont, but I have let too many opportunities to express my thanks slip by already.
Mr. Simon, you are a treasure.