Hello and Happy Friday,

I hope this e-mail finds you well and like always writing. I'm reading this story called Fugitive by the terrific writer Phillip Margolin. He writes about this character named Charlie Marsh who had a very successful novel in the world before bad things happened to him. This is the second writer I've read about recently, the first was in the novel Small Town by one of my favorites, Lawrence Block. Both writers are successful despite themselves. What always strikes me as funny and slightly horrifying as I read about these writers, both suspected murderers, is that I can be envious of their imaginary success. Both writers/suspected murderers, got book deals of seven figures or more, book tours and acclaim, I say again--murderers, yet I revealed in their fictional writing success. As a writer seeking her own, when I hear about someonelse's real or unreal, I sigh with envy and longing and I willingly admit it.

I don't feel this way too often thank goodness, a couple of reasons I don't are because it depends at the time on my idea of success. I can read about a writers three book deal and be glad for him instead of battered by the green-eyed demon, because I know for most writers its a long hard road to get there and it can sometimes depend on just plain luck you don't see coming until that success hits you in the face. Just writing and getting a project done is a success. When you've written something and just one person (besides yourself) enjoys it, this is a success. When you're happy as you write, going at it like gangbusters, finding the right words to describe a scene, loving that character you created, its all a success.

So I guess it's true success is relative and should never get in the way of your writing. Write for yourself, love it, make it the best it can be and success will follow or maybe not, it depends on your definition of success and in the end, it doesn't matter. We are the blessed ones because we can write, make it enough.

"Any man who keeps working is not a failure. He may not be a great writer, but if he applies the old-fashioned virtues of hard, constant labor, he'll eventually make some kind of career for himself as writer." Ray Bradbury

If you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me, I would appreciate it: mathewsla@hotmail.com.

Until next time, God willing,

Lori