45 Comments
User's avatar
Mark Olmsted's avatar

Are you sure I didn't write this?

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

haha i'm not sure of anything anymore

Maia Duerr's avatar

We are so lucky you said yes, over and over.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

It's funny I didn't even realize it until I wrote it - thank you Maia!

Jeffrey Yamaguchi's avatar

A big yes to this post — very inspiring Troy. Excited for the launch of LAMB this Tuesday, which is most certainly a culminating moment in your time of YES.

Ramiro Blanco's avatar

It's our expectations that takes us on a journey of "no". The wonderful part of a mid-life crisis is the re-configuration of our expectations.

https://open.substack.com/pub/writerbytechnicality/p/its-here?r=3anz55&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

Chloe Hope's avatar

To yes!!! 🥂 My goodness this was so inspiring, thank you. And bless you for making this free as it's an invaluable resource. I'm thrilled you said yes, many times over. My bookplates arrived today and I got all teary eyed thinking about the moment I'll stick them inside my physical copies of Lamb. You're an inspiration, Troy 💜

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Oh good, I'm glad they arrived! Thank you my dear, it's easy to brave with friends like you. ❤️🩵🖤

Michael Edward's avatar

Fuck yes, Troy!

I love it, brother.

The power and grace to just keeping marching forward, with an unending “yes” escaping your lips as you do is unparalleled in its magic. Kudos to you my friend. You inspire me and I’m sure many others. :)

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

There's no other choice! ;) Thanks brother

Michael Edward's avatar

Exactly 💪

Andrea Bartz's avatar

Yes, yes, yes! Thanks for sharing the Bad on Paper interview—rejection is such familiar territory for us writers!

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

You're welcome, Andi - it synched so perfectly with what I was talking about, it was a great link. Thanks!!

Kathleen Clare Waller's avatar

Belief in yourself, this is it, Troy! And you've already touch so many of us here on Substack with your work. I'd say that's a win already as is taking the big step of publication. I hope more people keep discovering your work.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thank you Kate - if Substack's taught me anything it's that the writing life doesn't have to be lonely with friends like you. Here's to lifting each other up! 💜

Donna McArthur's avatar

What keeps you going is saying yes to yourself! This is the best mantra ever and could be your next book! It's a great reminder to all of us to keep showing up. I appreciate that you called us to consider what we will do if it doesn't work out the way we hope and the important thing is to keep showing up. Thanks Troy❤️

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thank you for your generous comment, my dear - you're right, it really would be a good thru-line for a book. 🩵

Sharon Thompson's avatar

This is yet another great post. Realistic, open, honest, and lovely.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thanks Sharon! We do it for the love of writing, otherwise, we wouldn't do it. :)

Kimberly Warner's avatar

You’re a leader and inspiration for us all Troy. Saying yes to ourselves and letting the work ripple outwards from that joyous insistence is powerful stuff.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Yes, perfect - it's all in the ripples (not the crashing waves) and the joy of doing the work. Thank you my dear xo

The Adventures of Wendy's avatar

Helpful read. Thank you. The writing i can do, day in and day out. It’s the editing, structure, and courage to publish that I am struggling to find my way on. As this needs funding beyond my self-publishing route. It has been and continues to be such a steep learning curve for me as I transition from a corporate Excel spreadsheet to a creative page-turning career.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

You're in the right place, Wendy - just know that you're not alone on your path, and it always scariest when you're doing something for the first time. It may not get easier, but it def gets less scary. ;) Thanks for your comment.

Andrea C. Neil's avatar

Yes!!!!

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

That's the spirit! xo

Margaret South's avatar

My thoughts exactly. As a long time writing coach, I knew what my clients were up against. So I just started All Girl Publishing.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Good for you, Margaret! I'm seeing a few new publishing imprints coming out of Substack, it would be great to see the ecosystem expanding into these new areas. Best of luck, and thanks for popping in!

Leo's SpeakEasy's avatar

Fuck yeah!

David Bruns's avatar

You tell like it is, Troy. Good on you. I've been to The Show (2-book deal with St Martins Press) and it's not all it's cracked up to be. There is no Easy Button in the writing life.

On a separate note, if you're game for trying all the options, you might consider a crowdfunding campaign. You probably won't get rich, but you will get some cash and real connections with readers who are dedicated fans. (Be forewarned, it is a lot of work.) Russell Nohelty over at Author Stack has some excellent resources if you want to explore.

Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Thanks for that, David! I'd thought about it, but there were so many other things to do it sort of fell by the wayside. I've been thinking about trying out different strategies for different books, so maybe #2 gets a crowdfunding effort.