Hello and Happy Friday,

I was reading the other day, an article about the writer Stephanie Meyer who wrote the popular novel, Twilight. The story was of course filled with all the great things happening to her: she’s the new J.K. Rowling, a terrific three book deal, an eagerly anticipated book tour and so many other wonderful details, I of course had a flash of envy, who wouldn’t? I mean she is where I want to be some day. I said-flash of envy-because I kind of got over it quickly because I thought, I’ll be where she is some day or close and I don’t doubt it. Why should I be so sure? I don’t know, because I feel it? Lame but true, yet more importantly I believe I’m working toward it though not in the usual way because I can’t; I don’t have an agent, or even a one-book-deal, I don’t have a huge audience anticipating my next novel (though a few people are; which is a great thing) I don’t have a tour scheduled; my best is a trip to New York to do a signing at the New York City Police Museum which has yet to be confirmed and I’m not a full time writer; I write when I can.

Boy, doesn’t it sound like I have reason to be envious and not so sure I’m going to get even close to where Ms. Meyer’s career has taken her. Yet, I do feel I’ll get close because despite all what I don’t have; I know—know—I have great story lines for my trilogy, a terrific character in Owen Story and I don’t stint on writing as well as I possibly can with relevant details and interesting, well-developed characters; making sure I give the reader the best possible story, one that rolls along at top speed, is exciting and not a waste of a minute of their time. I do what I can to promote my novels and try to do so every day and in all the ways available to me.

As writers and as people, we want a slice of the “good life”—the book tours, the newspaper and magazine articles, the book deals, which I’ve always defined as being a successful writer. But as time has gone by I’ve learned to define success, not by the trappings of the so called good life, but by working hard on my novel and getting it to the point I can breathe because I feel I’ve made it the best it can be, I’m done and can present it to the world pleased with it.

Just write, the rest will take care of itself.

If you have any comments or suggestions I have a new e-mail address at: mathewsla@hotmail.com

Until next time, God willing.