Have I reached the end? Or is this a new beginning?
After thousands of miles, hundreds of books signed, and weeks on a book tour for American Leftovers, I arrived back in Nashville on May 1st. Like a traveling musician, I feel exhilarated and exhausted.
What now?
I've completed all my contracted books, with two of them coming out in 2024.
Once again, it seems, I am unemployed and wondering if I've reached the end of my writing career.
I've faced this question many times--at the end of 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2018. I'm not alone. Most creatives can relate. We put heart and soul into our art, pray it will connect with others, and when it doesn't sell as well as hoped we must wrestle with our demons once again.
Doubt. Fear. Electric Bills. Hungry tummies.
Is this the end?
No, I believe it is a new beginning.
I'm sitting in a Nashville DMV right now, waiting in a long line to obtain a For Hire endorsement so I can get a part-time transportation job. I'm doing a Zoom call later today about a potential ghostwriting project. And I'm waiting to hear from my agent about another possibility.
As I wait between endings and beginnings, I will keep praying, hoping, and digging. I'm not digging a grave here. No, this is a seed bed. I am planting seeds.
I can't wait to see what grows next.
--Eric Wilson
Sounds like our daily walk with Jesus.
Did He not tell us not to worry about tomorrow? In all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.
I will be hoping and praying with you my friend. I truly believe that writing is what God wants you to be doing. Keep the faith brother.
I know exactly where you are coming from Eric. I have been working on Avoidant Personality Research Center for about 15 years. Im no closer to getting my classes going than I was. I have some people that come and go, but its really its just me that works on this. Often I wonder if I should just give up and close the doors cause Gods not really in it. Then yesterday I had a meeting with a team from Italy that wants to work on the Google ads. Its still weird that God has not provided more to help, but its something.
“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—neve…