Days grew long, then short, then long again. And all that time, the keys—their clacking during early morning hours, steam billowing from mugs like so many smokestacks.
All the while, the screen filled, but not with chapters and characters and calamity—but with code, with lets and consts and functions all the way down.
Back in May, I told you I was done writing for now, that this was okay, that it was better to immerse myself in other endeavors—namely, web development—than to spiral the drain any longer, than to both burn out and fade away.
Now, nearly seven months after that initial announcement, after thousands of lines of code, after dozens of interviews, after five job offers and one relocation to Milwaukee, I’m happy to announce it here first—
I’m back.
2022: As Before, But Different
In my time away, I learned a great deal, and not just in the realms of JavaScript, React, and Node. On the contrary, I learned more about myself as a person than in perhaps any other time of my life. I learned social media’s not for me, that to tie myself emotionally to heartless algorithms (some of which I now write) only serves to leaden my spirit.
(There’s an irony in there that I’m still trying to suss out, but one thing at a time.)
So what, then? I did say I’m back, right?
Yes, yes, but different. No more posting schedules. No chasing followership and online elbow rubbing.
I’m done doing what works. I’m doing what works for me.
This Brings Us to the Books
You’re getting one from me in 2022. I’m serious.
You might be wondering how I could have possibly written a book in the last seven months, and the truth is, I didn’t. It’s a book I wrote before setting down my pen for a time, one that I was querying and refining for about a year in the lead up to spring of 2021.
For those of you in the know, yes, it’s Scambait!, and I couldn’t be more excited to get Eric’s story out into the world.
My goal is to publish it by summer of 2022, all of which will depend on how I reacclimate to balancing a full-time job and my work as a writer. What the manuscript needs more than anything is a once-over or two, a cover, and then to be shepherded through the grind of the publication process.
More to Come
And yes, on top of Scambait!, I have plans for another book, one that is also mostly written, though in a far more unrefined fashion than Scambait! (again, for those in the know, this one is To Have Been Rich). It’ll take a bit of heavy lifting, surely, to get back into drafting mode, but I’m looking forward to it.
These are stories that need to be told, and I feel I’m the person to tell them.
So, more to come. It will be, like I said, as before, but different.
Now Available
"Reminiscent of Hemingway and De Lillo. I highly recommend this collection."
-Award-Winning Author Ivy Ngeow
Welcome back, Ryan! Sounds like it’s been a ride…Nan Bogue (legal) Evenson (pen)
Thanks, Nan! I appreciate your support.
Woo! Welcome back, Ryan!
Thanks, man! I was thinking of some of your past feedback as I revisited a scene in Scambait this morning. Hope you’re doing well!
I’m so happy to hear it. Congratulations on your successful career move. Looking forward to Scambait!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to getting Scambait out into the world, too!
Awesome! Glad to have you back!
And I’m glad to *be* back!
Congratulations. It will be a busy year for you..
Thanks, Sheila! It sure will be…
So glad you’re doing YOU and not chasing after social media this and that or anything else that’s not YOU. Clarity is everything and you seem to have found it. Best wishes for a great 2022!
Thank you, Christine. Yes, 2021 was all about finding clarity, and it’s nice to feel I’ve got that (or something close to it) now. 🙂
That’s the thing with you guys . . . it’s always something!
Truth!
Welcome back! I can’t wait to read your story. I love the title.
Thanks, Barb, for your kind words and your feedback on the title!
WooHoo! I’m excited to read Scambait! and all your forthcoming novels.
Hey! Thank you. I’m looking forward to getting them out into the world!
Eeee! So excited Scambait! will be out in the world! I’m also really glad to hear that you’re taking care of you, too.
Thanks, Avery! I’m looking forward to getting Scambait out into the world as well. 🙂