I’ve been here just over two years. It says something about me that I’ve reached the 10,000 post mark in such a short time. Good or bad, I guess I’m not equipped to judge. I’m a fairly prolific writer and I would hope that my journal here is full of essays that are worth reading. I’ve tried to manage that, at least.
Some of my original essays are better than others, of course. There are some I truly believe are great pieces of political writing, and others that are, at best, mediocre. Ironically, you can’t always tell by the number of recommendations or how much discussion they’ve prompted. I’m not even sure why that is, to tell you the truth. Probably just a matter of timing.
From what I’ve noticed, the best way to get a long thread going is by saying something so totally outrageous that half the posters are lobbing fireballs at you. That’s not really what I’m about. If I want to piss people off, it’s NOT the people here. Or, at least, not the vast majority of people here. There are a few that just beg to be needled, and I guess I haven’t quite grown past the impulses to needle those that, in my limited wisdom, I feel desperately deserve the occasional sting.
Unfortunately, that also doesn’t preclude my occasional need to make an utter fool of myself. I’m quite good at that, it seems. That seems to be a flaw that most of us share.
There’ve been times I’ve stopped to consider it a bit of a shock I’m still around after 10,000 posts. I’ve tried to be the voice of reason in the midst of some of the most heated debates, but I’ve engaged in some pretty flame-worthy threads myself. Just like anyone else, I have my own hot buttons and can get fairly fiery when they’re pushed.
All in all, despite the flames, the jeering section, and the not-quite-trolls that prowl DU, it’s truly become my home on the world-wide-web. I’ve only walked away for any length of time once, and that was more because my teeth were killing me and my nerves were frayed to a mono-molecular filament than because of anything going on here.
That said, I think it’s an interesting coincidence that my 10,000th post here corresponded with another milestone in my writing career, the release of my first mass-market fantasy novel, “Sword and Shadow.” There’s a fair-to-middling chance that this is the book that’ll actually put me on the map. It’s the beginning of a whole new series, and one of the more unique fantasy novels you’re likely to read.
If I do say so myself.
I’m reminded of a time a couple of years ago when I worked alongside a stand-up comic who’d been hired on as a temp at the company where I was working. He wasn’t very funny, but I guess that’s a matter of taste.
One day this fellow looked at me and said, “if I ever made it big, I’d turn into a Republican.”
My thought, though I didn’t say so in so many words was “I think you’re already a Republican.”
No one dedicated to the true ideals of decent, hard-working people who care about their neighbors would turn into a Repug no matter HOW much money s/he earned. If I become astoundingly successful, I can’t imagine myself turning away from everything I believe just to scrabble for a little more money. What would be the point of that? I guess I just don't have very expensive tastes. All I need is a roof, food, dog and cat food, a way to get around, an internet connection, and my laptop. Everything else is gravy.
Besides, if the income tax ever became too onerous, I could always emigrate to Ireland. <eg> Kidding, of course. I’d love to visit there. In fact, I’d love to visit a LOT of places. Particularly outside the U.S., since I’ve seen just about every place here that I’ve ever wanted to see. Not NOLA, but damn near everywhere else.
Of all the places I’ve been, at least as far as cities go, I liked San Francisco about the best, though I truly like my self-proclaimed home city as well. Tacoma has a bad rap, but I do like it. It has none of Seattle’s traffic or one-way streets (I hate driving in that city more than I can possibly relate) and it still has a real small-town feel in a lot of respects.
We need people with a voice to speak up whenever possible. That’s why it’s important that the folks in the entertainment biz do so whenever they get the chance. There are few average folks who can reach thousands of people with one statement. Sometimes the successful have to stand up and speak for those who have no voice.
I believe it’s both a duty and an honor to do so.
And I promise to remain one of those voices no matter what. Come wealth or fame or infamy, I will continue to drive my words into the weakest points of those who would steal our future for their own validation.
And I will continue to do it here.
So, in honor of my 10,000th post, I’m going to ask of you all a little favor. If you’ve got a few extra bucks in your wallet and wander into your local chain bookstore, see if they have a copy of “Sword and Shadow” by Saje Williams. Pick it up and, if you’re ever in the Puget Sound area, bring it with you and drop me a line. If I can possibly manage it, I’ll be glad to make arrangements to hook up and sign your copy, even if I have to go a bit out of my way to do it.
I’ll already be signing plenty of co-worker copies as they trickle in. I can’t think of another group of people besides DUers who deserve it more.
And if you want to know anything more about what I write, don’t hesitate to ask. Or jump on over to my website to check it out.
http://www.sajewilliams.comIf your local bookstore isn’t carrying it, request that they order a copy or two.
I mean, what have you got to lose? A few dollars for several hours entertainment? Okay, they’re trade paperbacks, so they’re more than a few bucks. But “Sword and Shadow” is a good book that doesn’t bear a striking resemblance to anything else in the fantasy genre.
Plus there are a few inside jokes you’d have to be a progressive to get. Couldn’t help but throw those into the mix. I don’t preach, but I definitely let some of my liberal show through. The way I see it, we need a few more openly liberal authors. There are entirely too many popular “conservative” authors out there, if you ask me.
Oh, and don’t panic if it happens to be hidden in the romance section. It’s a fantasy. Romance is really hot right now and that was the genre my publisher wanted to put it in. Sure, it has romance in it, but, hey, as far as I’m concerned, any good story has romance, adventure, comedy, drama, and a bit of nail-biting suspense thrown in for good measure.
“Sword and Shadow” has plenty of everything.
As I tell people, there’s a reason my biggest fans are reviewers, editors, and other authors. Okay, besides the fact that they’re the only ones besides you folks and my co-workers that even know I exist.
:evilgrin:
Okay, that’s not QUITE true, but close enough.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
