Kip Koelsch Author

If one advances confidently in the direction of one’s dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
–Henry David Thoreau

I read Thoreau early in my life–and often. As a budding “environmental thinker” before the end of high school, I know I at least read some excerpts of his work in 10th grade English–and I still have the well-worn and annotated copy of Walden I purchased for a course at New College in 1984. Since that older book has become too fragile to frequent, I have a newer, hardcover version that I go to for reading now.

As much as I admire Thoreau–his beard choice AND his unwavering pursuit of HIS life–following his path is not always easy–his quote about advancing “confidently in the direction of one’s dreams” lacks reference to one vital component–endurance. While, I think it may be implied, I think it’s important to note that the journey to success he alludes to may take some time–more time than most people imagine when they set off down a particular road.

But coming from an endurance racing background–familiar with the build-up of training involved in reaching a goal–persevering in the long-haul is always a part of my plans–even now as I pursue my writing (in addition to my race business) with more focused vigor. I’m in this for life and as such realize the way to success is a process–a long-term process–even with regards to one work.

Writers put themselves and their work out there–open for all to see, read and critique. I’ve been lucky enough with Wendall’s Lullaby to get some very good reviews–people who couldn’t put the book down. I’ve also been lucky to get some very critical reviews–harshly worded enough to sting my ego, but mostly filled with comments that, once I put ego aside, are helpful in creating a better work.

With those critiques in mind, I’ve been updating the text of Wendall’s Lullaby–with the goal of uploading a better version to Amazon within the next day or so. While there are many downsides to being a self-published author, one of the advantages is the ability to quickly edit, adapt, improve and “republish.”

So while I complete my update (and continue work on the follow-up tentatively titled The Delphys Effect), I thank Henry David Thoreau for pulling me down the rocky and fulfilling road of living the life which I have imagined.

~ by kipwkoelsch on September 21, 2017.

Posted in Critical Thinking, The Built-in Smile: Wendall's Lullaby, Uncategorized, writing
Tags: book reviews, Bottlenose Dolphins, dolphins, dreams, editing, endurance, Fiction, Henry David Thoreau, Journaling, language, literary criticism, novel, perseverence, publishing, quotes, self-publishing, Strategies for Success, success, Thoreau, Walden, Wendall's Lullaby, writing