Literary Expeditions

via I Am Not Alone

This might sound strange, coming from someone who spends a lot of time alone, writing, and maybe this is the inescapable truth about writers: we spend a lot of time alone, in quiet rooms, contemplating worlds that exist only in our heads, but I don’t feel lonely.

I am alone, but I don’t feel lonely anymore.

When I was younger I used to think that if someone would tell me that I could write a great novel, something people will still be reading a hundred years in the future, and all I had to do was live my life in obscurity, I’d accept. I thought great things require a sacrifice, and I wasn’t so sure what the most important thing about being a writer actually was.

It wasn’t until much, much later that I realized what writing was all about, and I’ve expressed this view many times here: we write because we want to reach out to others. We write with the hope that our words will mean something to someone else other than ourselves.

I am able to reach out to people, I am able to present the world my ideas and dreams and stories, and for that I am grateful. In doing this, I don’t feel alone anymore. If even a single one of my posts or stories or essays made you feel something, or made you realize something about the world we live in, then that makes me happy.

There are a couple of simple rules when it comes to writing: never stop writing, and never be afraid to share your writing with the world. It doesn’t matter how, just do it. And out of all the billion people in the world, if just one loves your writing, that’s more than enough, more than you could ever ask for.

When I decided to self-publish my stories (and write this blog) I made myself a promise: that I wouldn’t give up, no matter what. I didn’t quit when I sold three copies of my short stories during the entire month of May 2012, earning a total of $1.05 before taxes, I didn’t quit when it seemed that no one was interested in reading my blog posts, I didn’t quit when I figured out that I couldn’t possibly afford to launch an online magazine.

But at some point, sooner or later, I would have if it weren’t for the tremendous support you folks have provided. It’s you folks who kept the flame alive, who kept me fighting even when I felt like giving up. Because, believe me, we all have our moments, when we feel that the entire world is fighting back.

I’m not going to lie. Sales have been below average these past months, so I had to rely on contributions from those of you who believe in my dream.

That’s why I want to thank Elizabeth, Eduardo, and all the others for donating, for taking me closer to reaching my goal, and along with it, my dream of becoming a professional writer.

$4,600 left to raise in order to reach the goal for this year. To be fully funded, to have no other worries but to write, to produce as much work as possible, be it blog posts or fiction.

If you’d like to help me out, you can donate any amount you see fit via PayPal here.

Also, you can purchase reblogs from my e-store here.

Fun fact: I sell five reblogs a month because the amount raised is enough to pay for bills and stuff. Right, three more need to be purchased by the end of the month.

Oh, and you can also purchase an e-book bundle from my e-store here.

Whatever you decide to do, whether you support me or not, I want you to know that I wouldn’t be able to write without your help.

Once again, thank you,

Cristian Mihai