Wednesday - best expressed in poetry this week?

A month or so ago, I had a poll and asked if readers hoped for thoughts about my writing, poetry, or story snippets. Those who answered were split 50-50 for poetry and story snippets, so I am heading down the poetry path again today. Next week, I will start in with some novel excerpts.

---

Wed-nes-day, a poem by Tyrean

Wed-nes-day,

I feel the “nes” today,

but not the gaming system,

or Neverending Story,

or any other cultural norm

found in slang dictionaries.

No, I feel the “nes” of my

muddle middle moment

of the week, the part of the story

where the hero looks in the mirror

and doesn’t like what they see,

but can’t unsee the truth.

That’s the “nes” I feel,

the part that needs sounding out,

tasting the bitter-of-the-sweet

moment of this particular

Wednesday

when something I thought was sure,

is not.

But the journey, like the word,

continues.

I know the week has more days.

The word has another sound.

The quest is not over.

And staring at the muddy middle

is like staring in the mirror too long,

so I say the rest —

day.

(AI Art with Canva generated with the same stanza of the poem as a prompt)

I wonder if I can cut the middle out.

Wed-day?

We-day?

Maybe that’s the right fit.

I need some “we” to walk with me.

The mountain awaits,

steaming from dragon fire,

and I need dwarves and a wizard to walk me there,

so I, like Bilbo when he talks to Smaug,

will be invisible, but brave.

But at some point, the ring has to come off.

The dragon will roar.

The mountain will shake.

And the “nes” will have to be

pronounced,

at least for spelling purposes.

So, here I am, Wednesday.

I stand firm

in the face of your ire

and claim this day

for my own.

AI Art with Canva - generated with parts of my poem.

---

As you might note, that’s a rough poem I wrote as I started this post, so it’s a poem just for you (and me) today. I may use it in a collection at some point.

---

Reflections and Newsish Thoughts

I had a bit of a blow to a portion of my writing income today, and so I am considering how to pivot and regroup. The December Kindle Vella bonus came out to be much, much lower than I expected. I knew all along that the bonus level could not last, but I was getting used to it. I grew complacent. But, no more. KDP didn’t leave me with a complacent option. I will continue specific serializations on the platform for now, but I will be branching out in how/where I share those serials and I will keep you all updated.

I had a conversation with an important person in my life yesterday about the 80/20 idea and how we often do our best work when at least 80% is life-giving, joy-giving, purpose-filled work, and 20% is the kind of work that’s just “getting things done.” This conversation caused me to consider pivoting projects.

Given that I said no to a recent volunteer opportunity that came with some “honored, but probably not my kind of work” type feelings, this all comes at a strange time.

The three together are giving me pause and reason to pray. It almost makes me glad I didn’t really have my 2024 business plan all written up beautifully like I had originally intended. Maybe I knew I needed to change it all along?

---

Actual News

The New Year’s Quest Book Funnel Event continues through February 10th! If you know anyone who would like free books, send them to that link. :)

Norwescon is coming in March. I plan to be there, and I think I’m on a panel or two.

Realm Makers opens up their ticket sales for the July conference soon.

Author Nation is already selling tickets for the November conference, and I purchased a spot already, plus registered for a hotel room.

I hope to attend and teach at Write in the Harbor in the fall.

As always, you can find links to most of my books at this page HERE.