As many of you are no doubt aware by now, I am a huge nerd and so you may or may not have picked up on the significance of this post’s title.
The Defenders are Marvel Comics’ official “non-team”, a lose affiliation of heroes who gather to vanquish foes no single hero could stand against. Everyone from Doctor Strange to Daredevil to the Hulk and even Howard the Duck has been a Defender.
They’re not exactly The Avengers or even The Great Lakes Avengers, but they’re cool in their own way and they’ve even inspired my heroes, the Infinite Syndicate. (Into The Dark, Book One of the Infinite Crossover Crisis is on sale now, kids! Though truthfully, no one gives a toss anymore.)
At any rate, this isn’t really a post just as The Defenders aren’t really a traditional super team. I just realized this morning that I haven’t written a post in months. Then I realized why.
I just don’t care at the moment.
About much, truthfully.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a great life. I have a a cool haunted house to live in, a wonderful family, money in the bank (though not as much as I did two years ago) and my (very) rugged good looks. I’ve been blessed.
But work is still a pale, disgusting shadow of what it once was. I’m finally the Bell Captain, but it’s a monkey’s paw situation to say the least. This horrific virus has devastated my industry and brought out the worst in everyone I deal with, even internally in some cases.
My book jut isn’t selling. I can’t get an agent or a publisher to spit on me if I was on fire. And I’ve given up on writing the next installment for now. The enthusiasm just isn’t there.
I have some good friends who are killing it in their respective fields and it just serves to make me feel even worse about myself. Venting like this feels good, but it reinforces my belief that I’m just not ready to be creative again and won’t be for a good long while.
And of course. the world is still imploding.
On that happy, uplifting note, I wish you all a good day.
You've Been Hooked! 
It’s nice to know you are still alive! Congrats on your promotion although it should come with paid therapy sessions. Many of us are not feeling the creativity which is vacationing in the Bahamas at the moment.
It’s great to be able to report that I am still alive, Kate!
My vibes reached you Robert! I was thinking yesterday that I hadn’t seen anything from you for an age, and now here you are! Glad to know you’re OK. My bestie is in the hospitality trade and says she has had to deal with some of the rudest and most obnoxious people she has ever come across. So much so, she has been off work with stress and depression for 6 months and is just going back to work on a part time basis. Keep safe. I’ve missed you.
I’m doing my best, but you’re right, the hospitality trade is anything but hospitable these days.
Take care, my friend.
You too Robert.
I have spent the past 20 months trying to be extra nice to those in hospitality and retail I hope someone like that reaches you.
I’m certainly open to it, old friend.
Sounds like you’re feeling the malaise that so many are going through. Me too, and it sucks. Feels like being stuck in a bardo. I had such high hopes for my son who finished high school, and after refusing to continue on with any sort of formal education, he’s only put in one job application – crickets there. After 19 years, I have less than no mojo to push him anymore, and he’s reached the age where he doesn’t hear me anyway. Deep down I know he’ll find his way, but right now things suck.
Sorry the hospitality biz is so rough right now. I can only imagine being the brunt of people’s stress on a daily basis. But congrats on making Bell Captain. We should all refer to you from now on as Captain, my Captain!
You honor me with your devotion, old friend.
Thank you for posting again, Captain Hook.
Thank you for reading, Lt. Doug.
Nice to hear from you, Hook. I wish the message was better, but I certainly can’t beat creativity into you. Let me ask you a question. If someone promised you a best seller, would you take up writing again? If the answer is yes, how would you have a best seller if you didn’t write it? So pretend the next will be a best seller and start writing. Pay no attention to those who you think are doing better. They are feeling just like you.
Thank you for not beating me and for your words of wisdom, John.
I’ll do my best to restart my creative engine soon.
LIke tomorrow.
It’s nice to hear from you! Is it bad that I feel better about how crappy I feel about everything, knowing that you are keeping me company as I wallow. For the record your book was a bright spot for me in this mess. I believe in my heart that your creativity will begin to soar soon. Take your time. I can wait.
Misery loves company – but at least it’s exceptional company, right?
I love that Doug called you Captain Hook! Congrats on the promotion. I hope the creativity finds you again soon. xx
I’ve been waiting twenty years to be Captain Hook!
Long overdue, but well-deserved!
Listen to John Howell! If you want to find an agent, try Query Tracker. It’s free, lists a gazillion agents by category. Maybe that might be a welcome switch, for the moment. Good to hear from you, Hook!
Good to be heard!
Thanks!
You’re welcome!
I hope things get better for you, Robert. It’s just been kind of a blah year. Not feeling it for the holidays, either.
I hope 2022 brings us all a new year of cheer! Xoxo, Lynne
It doesn’t look like 2022 is going to be any better, sadly.
All the best to you and yours this Christmas, old friend.
None of my books are exactly flying off the shelves either, my friend. I’d probably be more upset about it if I was counting on it as my main source of income. But, I write in my spare time (although I haven’t really been doing a lot of writing lately) because I enjoy doing it. If people buy it, great. If not, oh well.
Hopefully your sales pick up. I shall endeavor to help in any way I can.
I appreciate and value your support and friendship more than you’ll ever know, buddy.
Thank you, my friend.