Am I writing a book yet?

It started with a quote I heard from Alice Walker when describing her artistic process for Urban Style (an entertainment program highlighting Black personalities), “If I write a page or two a day, then at the end of the year, I’ll have a book.” When I heard that, it hit me like a bolt of lightning—I’ve been going about this all wrong. I’ve wanted to be an author all my life, but I’ve allowed myself to become overwhelmed by the idea of writing a book. It just seemed like such a huge thing to write a book. So I allowed my insecurities to stop me from pursuing it. But seeing someone who’s managed the task successfully—not to mention repeatedly—break it down so simply put it into new perspective for me. I guess it’s similar to Rome not having been built in a day. Anything worth doing is worth taking your time and doing right. I’m out of clichés, so I hope my point has been made. If I just take this a page at a time, I can accomplish something really special.

The problem is, just what should I write? I still like the idea of a semi-autobiographical fictional spy novel called Just Smart Enough to be Dangerous, but lately it’s been suggested to me that my daily internet ramblings could be compiled in a coffee table book. The working title is Brain Sharts from Uncle Trey Pound but that’s open to negotiation. See, with my ADD-addled brain, I’ve got ideas firing with every waking moment. Sometimes I’ll have to text myself an idea just to make sure I’ll remember it later. I’ve also been known to email myself a phrase in the middle of the night because I got an idea that I knew I’d be able to use in my writing. I’ve considered overlapping Crash-style plotlines; I tossed around the concept of a Beverly Cleary-style coming-of-age novel; I’ve debated short stories versus a memoir. Then I ridiculed myself for thinking I had anything relevant or important enough to say to justify writing a memoir. Then I beat myself up for ridiculing myself. The shame-spiral ended in vodka, and let’s just leave it at that. That’s when the genius switch in my brain clicked on (I love it when that happens) and I realized that the best way to tell a story (which is the goal of any author) is to tell a story with which I’m familiar. So that means it’s going to involve some element of my own life. And since it’s going to involve my life, then it’s going to involve copious amounts of alcohol and sexual excess—but I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. In fact, I can recall several books I’ve read (and loved) that featured alcoholism and sexual depravity as key plot components. In retrospect, that may be why I enjoyed them, but that’s neither here nor there.

But the type of book I attempt (very important word that one, “attempt”) almost doesn’t matter. What matters more is embracing the adventure. Living isn’t just about living to see another day—though some beg to differ. I believe life is more about the adventures that make said life worth living. Speaking in clichés, life is defined by the moments that take your breath away. And the idea that I could write a book takes my breath away. The idea that I might put words on paper, and that someone else might read those words—on purpose—makes me slightly dizzy.

To all my new readers...

I just noticed something extraordinary, and I felt so humble that I had to respond. I maintain a fan page for my advice column (Ask Uncle Trey Pound) on facebook. It's a way to stay connected with readers and friends of mine. But just now when I glanced at the list of fans, I noticed something odd... of the 365 "fans" I don't know a good portion of them. That's important since I've been counting on my friends to fill the ranks of my "fans." When I realized that quite a few of the fans are complete strangers to me, I understood that my writing has extended beyond my little circle of friends. Some were friends of friends, but others were seemingly random-ass people that just stumbled upon my fan page. Something in my writing connected with them enough for them to follow the page and keep up with updates. That, frankly, justifies my decision to refer to myself as a "writer." A guy with a lot to say, but no one to say it to, is just a guy with a lot to say. But a guy with a lot to say and someone to speak to--someone to communicate with-- is a writer. I am a writer, and I thank you for making me one.

Pick any direction, as long as it's forward.

I've been talking lately about taking my writing (namely my advice column) to the "next level" but so far it's amounted to just that: talk. The past few weeks, I've been hanging out at Barnes & Nobles alot--stalking the shelves that feature guides to writing and getting published. My friend Kristen (who writes for Greenville's Daily Reflector) suggested I check out a book called The Writers' Market, but the $30 price tag had me flinching. Since I was able to get my check early today, I decided to splurge and buy the damn thing. The price still made me slightly queasy, but I'm considering it an investment in my future. I'm going to use the resources in what Kristen called her "bible" to advance my fledgling career as a columnist.

While I love working for G-Vegas Magazine, it's been an unpaid position for almost two years now, and it doesn't look like that's going to change anytime soon. So, it's time for me to shit or get off the proverbial pot. I'm not sure if finding a paying gig means I'm "shitting" or "getting off the pot," but I do know that this burning desire to write isn't going to fade. In fact, the time I've spent with G-Vegas has only confirmed to me that this is what I was meant to do.

Tomorrow afternoon, Su, Morgan, one of the new G-Vegas girls and I will be driving to Greensboro for an award ceremony (some award for North Carolina's athletes, artists, musicians, and writers who are on the verge of a breakthrough) where the two G-Vegas Girls will be presenting one of the awards. Along the way, I'll be reading my Writers' Market, taking notes, and making plans. Since it's a bit of a drive, I'll have plenty of time for all that.

Now that I have a definite plan in mind, I feel a lot better about the direction my life has taken. Like the title of this blog states: "pick any direction, as long as it's forward."