Today, I admit a failed project and how it made me grow.
I quit my job to take a year off to fulfill a dream together with my best friend: to write the first book of a series of 6 that we called “Time & Memories”. In the prequel we had worked out a detailed concept for plot, characters, chapters and scenes. I planned my year in Sweden and the US to do the necessary research for the concepts of location, historical background, clothing and all the other tiny details that make a book come to life. I knew it would be hard to work with my co-author as I was the only one committed 100%, but we had been consequent in working on it one day a week, so I was full of hope. I would do all of the research about history and the learning about writing, editing, marketing and such to keep my co-author’s back free for writing. However, 6 weeks into the year, the phone calls stopped. First standing me up, then not having time, then not responding to any of my messages for months. The worst thing about it was not that we didn’t make progress or that I was investing into our dream for nothing or that my motivation dwindled away. The worst thing was and still is that I am immensely worried if everything is alright and if something bad has happened. I feel helpless not knowing what is going on. Emotions aside, a decision has to be made. Holding on to projects with no outlook on success is unreasonable in any business, even if it seems important. All I can do is admit that it will not work out the way we had intended it to. Maybe I can revive it one day as sole author, if my friend agrees to it. But for now, I will stop further research or any other work on it.
However, this journey was not in vain. I prepared a business plan. I created a brand image. I developed a marketing strategy. I learned a new craft and am still learning. I connected with people. I found my passion. I am looking at the world with more awareness and interest now. I dived into my own darkness and came out again. I feel like I can leave behind something lasting and help others with the experiences I have made in life.
What does that mean for this newsletter? It was intended for updates about the book series “Time & Memories”. As I give up on the project, there will be no news on this. However, I will continue my work as author. I’ll reduce the frequency of these newsletters to once a month. The next month I will be finishing my editing work of my first manuscript of “Prison of Loneliness”, a book I am writing alone. After that I’ll give it to beta-readers. If any of you is interested in being one of those, tell me. While the manuscript is read and commented on by others I will create my website and social media appearance. At that point, this newsletter will find an end and evolve into something new. I thank all the people that have encouraged me and followed me on the journey so far.
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