Published by: Jan Yeasha Mendez
Date published: April 7, 2022
Time published: 1:11 PM
Classification: Prose
Theme: Journey
Synopsis: Willow, a struggling writer, is desperate to find a way to make ends meet in his writing career but is struggling to do so in his location. Is he a failed writer, or does he just need to be patient? What will happen if he takes his stories and ideas somewhere else?
...
I. . .probably do not deserve half of the things I have. I will begin with a background and how this all happened. My name is Willow, I am a twenty-five-year-old man, and I work as a historian, writer, and history professor at a university. I often write fiction, history, and biography books.
I live somewhere in America, and my entire family lives back in my home city, London. Five years ago, I left my country when I was twenty to pursue my career in history and came to America in hopes of more opportunities and to learn more about their history. And also because I wanted a new start in life. A life where I depend on myself and not my parents or anyone.
I grew up in an incredibly wealthy family. And hence, I often relied on my parents for money because my former job in London wasn't very stable or enough for me. Though, financially "poor" isn't the word I would use. But I couldn't find any opportunities and publishers for my books, and they have been denied numerous times in my country. No matter what publisher I turned to, they always turned down my books for a reason I still do not know today.
However, some of my books were issued, but they were only a handful, and none of them was even best-selling. Consequently, my salary from being an author was low.
As a side job to earn more, I decided to become a history professor at my old university in London. A teaching career was the career I was supposed to pursue when I was in college before deciding on being an author and historian instead. I settled with my decision because I desired to write original books and tell the stories of historic old heroes. And because I wouldn't have to worry about lecturing children due to my social anxiety. I earned more from being a teacher at that time, and it was the only job putting enough food on my plate and paying my bills. Despite my situation back then, I did somewhat enjoy the job. I taught and would often give my students my history books to read and study, and all of them seemed to enjoy what I had written.
But I knew I enjoyed writing far more than teaching. History is something I am very passionate about, and it always has been ever since I was a young lad. I knew I only kept teaching because it made me more money while teaching history, something I adored. At some point, I considered quitting writing because it was not working out for me financially. And over time, that life I had made me somewhat. . .depressed. All of the hard work I've put into my books have gone to waste, and the only people reading them are teenage college students. Literature has been the career I have wanted to pursue ever since I was little. It was the life I wanted for myself because I was passionate about it. And yet, it wasn't working out for me. I didn't want to stay as a college professor whether I enjoyed it.
Was I a failed writer? Did I make a mistake that cost me a potential career in literature? I understood that it takes time and patience for books to be recognized. But exactly how much time will it take? Is it enough time for me to decide to quit?
I vented to my long-time best friend, Felix, about my frustration over drinks. He encouraged me not to quit just yet but take a "different turn."
"If you are having trouble turning your talent for writing into a full-time job, why not. . .take a different turn?" Felix suggested. "Pardon?" I questioned.
"I mean, why not take your talent and books somewhere else," he explained. "Since you say you struggle to find a publisher here, why not take your books somewhere else? Another country where you think you have more opportunities. Such as America, perhaps. They have a rich history as well. You could write all about it."
And though I am roughly about 30% sure he was drunk when he said that, I still considered it because it piqued my interest. For the whole month, I contemplated whether I should fly to America and see if I could find publishers that would be willing to publish even a handful of my books and see if I could make sales off of them.
I was very skeptical at first because I would have to leave my home country, including my family. Even if Felix offered to come with me if I did decide to fly to the states, I was still very unsure, mainly because I wasn't even confident that I would be able to make a successful career in America. So, Felix and I decided to visit the country, so I could study its history and culture and then write about it. My parents loaned me a small amount of extra money for my plane ticket. We stayed in New York for about two months before returning to London, and I began writing about the history and culture I learned and saw in the country.
My book took a few months to finish, but once I did, I submitted it to an American publisher in hopes of them giving it a chance. It took some weeks for them to respond, but once I received an email from them. They expressed how impressed they were with my skills and would be very interested in publishing my book in the states. I spat out my tea after reading through their email. I was more than ecstatic because not once have I managed to find a proper publisher on my first try, and also because a new book of mine had an opportunity. I had a chance.
After I managed to make several sales off of that book, I decided to submit another one of my stories about American history. And it had been accepted and published as well, fortunately. And after some time, I decided to submit my fictional books and books about British history. My stories managed to gain several sales and purchases all over the country, and their popularity eventually grew higher. And I managed to improve my skills through the reviews and criticism of my books. My home country had finally caught wind of me and my stories all around the states.
I took my chances and contacted a publisher within my country.
They responded that they would be more than happy to publish my books. I felt so glad about my improvement. My career as a writer was finally seeing the light. The money I earned from my books finally increased, and I began making more from being an author than from my job as a professor. But no quantity of money would ever amount to the happiness I felt from writing those books and seeing others enjoy reading them.
However, I saw more open opportunities in the states than in England. Therefore, I decided to fly back to America and live there. I resigned from my job at the university I taught at and informed my parents of my decision. Though they were reluctant and quite sad, they understood why I wanted to move away. I had finally earned enough money to buy a plane ticket using only the money from my pocket.
Felix decided to go with me again, and we boarded another plane to fly to America once more. And that time, my mind was confident that I had found better opportunities for my passion. Though, just because I was leaving England for a better life, it didn't mean I was willing to leave behind my teaching career as well. Hence, after arriving in America, I immediately searched for a decent college to apply for as a college professor. Fortunately, I managed to get accepted at a prestigious university.
Felix and I found a flat to stay in for a fixed time until we could afford our own houses. As for Felix, he applied to the same university as me as a philosophy professor. I continued to write books, and Felix and I made ends meet. It did take quite a lot of time for us to adapt to our new surroundings (Americans and America, in general, tend to be quite strange sometimes), considering that we are in another country.
Butwhen we did, we eventually grew more comfortable within our new location. The popularity of my books grew higher and higher over the years, and so did my name and reputation.
My books began selling everywhere, and at some point, I started receiving requests to attend interviews and conventions. I always refuse them despite Felix suggesting that I go. Despite my popularity, I tend to keep a low profile as an author because public attention for myself, in general, was something I didn't want to increase. I wanted people to focus on my stories, not the writer.
But here I am now, five years later. My books had finally become best-sellers in New York Times. Felix and I managed to afford our own houses, and we moved out of our old flat around three years ago. I am more than grateful to everyone that supported me through everything. This rough and jagged journey of mine was quite an experience. But I am more than proud of myself for everything I have accomplished. And, of course, for never giving up. I suppose that my life had taken a vast turn after moving here to the states. I suppose I just needed to be patient and my career will eventually meet the light.
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