The phrase “first of the year” always makes me think about Skrillex, which was from his big breakthrough album back in…2010? Maybe 2011? Anyway…it had this fun little music video with it with a little girl kicking ass. Anyway…I can’t ever listen to that song without thinking about my brother Russell, and how convinced I am that he would have liked that song. Something about it reminds me of him, at least.
I’ve been thinking about Russell quite a bit lately, I realize. I think it’s because I realized the other day, when contemplating pen-names, what a great name “Russell James” is, which was Russell’s first and middle name. Russell James Heinichen. And “Russell James” is just so friggin dope, what a great name. Cheers to you mom and dad for that one. Maybe it’s the two syllables followed by one syllable. Or maybe it’s just it’s Russell’s name, I don’t know. I just like it a lot. I don’t think I could write under his name, that feels like it might hit too close to home…but I wouldn’t be surprised to dream up some character with that name some day. Just a great name.
So…I am seriously considering making 2017 the year that Ira went all-in on writing novels. Almost all-in…I’d still work another job, not sure which one…but I’m really thinking about actually diving in and trying to write, like…5, 6, 7, maybe even 9 or 10 books this year. This indie authors group that I’ve joined has really opened my eyes to the possibilities that are out there. People are making a LIVING doing this, and the formula seems to be pretty straight forward: write a book that has an existing market (which I *think* I have a couple of), and release a book once a month of you can, every two months if you can’t.
I can do that.
It would be hard. Really hard at first…seems to take me anywhere from 6 months to two years to really find my stride in a new endeavor…but I can that. And now might be the time. We don’t pay rent. We don’t have any serious monetary obligations. I have a job (two of them) whose schedules I get to make on my own. Now might be the time…
Naturally, thinking about all that gives me a fucking headache and makes my heart pound.
What if I can’t do it? What if it’s another friskyRecords or Fresh Produce? What if instead of moving steadily towards what I really should be doing with my career, I’ve only been running from myself and other work that I’m really meant for? What if work for my other jobs dries up? What if I become poor again? What if deciding to do this means we have to manage this apartment building forever? How does this decision affect my wife?
Those a real fears up there, guys. They make my chest feel tight and the sinuses in my forehead feel like I’m on a landing plane. I don’t know what I’m going to do, except I’m going to finish Starstuff first. And then Two Guys One Trek. And talk to my wife. And my bosses.
What kind of year are you going to be 2017? Huh? I’m waiting with bated breath.
While we wait to see, I’m going to leave this song here which is on my 2016 pop music playlist. It’s one of the ones that I haven’t overplayed, and it’s really friggin cool.
Night, guys!