My Early Years

I recall when Nike introduced their Just Do It slogan. It caught on like wildfire with my friends and me—most of us educators. Another saying from around that time was the Latin Carpe Diem, which translates to “Seize the Day” and was a reminder for us to live each day to the fullest and appreciate each moment. So, we did our jobs just doing them, and seizing the days to their fullest potential while we did. The first was easy to do. The last took a tremendous love for our work to achieve it.

I’ve always loved art, from looking at it to doing it. But I’ve not always been a good artist making good art. That took years of Just Do It and Carpe Diem approaches to it: Doing it, seizing the education from doing it, and having fun while doing it.

I took the same approach when I started writing books. My goal was not so much to be a published author with books in stores and libraries, but to write an interesting story, seize the education from doing it, and have fun while doing it.

When I look back on the art I made during the early years, I groan when I see the errors I made in color and design choices. But I also marvel at the skill I had to make the art. Those errors didn’t detract from the art. And they didn’t stop people from buying it.

The same is true about the books I wrote. We all cringe at our past work because we’re on a road to produce the best work we can. Unfortunately, we all fall short of perfection. And isn’t that what we all strive for?

For anyone wondering: I never garnered a contract from any major book publisher. I self-published my books long before self-publishing became a buzzword in the industry. I self-published because it was the same avenue I took with selling my art. I’ve sold my books at art shows, and I’ve sold my art at book fairs. And always to satisfied customers.

I’ve said this before and I feel it’s worth repeating: Don’t let anyone discourage you from self-publishing your work. Getting a contract from a major book publisher doesn’t make you a better author. I’ve read some poorly written books published by big names in the industry that were on the New York Times bestseller list. If you’re good, word of mouth works fine. It may take time, especially if your books end up on many To Be Read lists. Keep writing and publishing (Just Do It), keep learning and having fun (Carpe Diem), and be patient and kind to yourself.

A note on word-of-mouth before I go. I bought two paperback books at an airport to read during a long flight from Pennsylvania to Italy. I enjoyed the stories so much that I gave the books to a friend and recommended them to others who enjoyed reading spooky fiction. I worked alongside two-thousand-plus other people, and no one I talked to had ever heard of the author. But many found his books after my recommendations and enjoyed reading them too. Before long, many of us had more of the author’s books on our shelves and coffee tables. His name: Stephen King; his books: ’Salem’s Lot and The Shining. I’m not saying my friends and co-workers wouldn’t have found his books on their own, I’m saying many of them wouldn’t have bought his books then if I’d kept my mouth shut.

If you love something, tell the world.

Until my next post, keep reading, writing, making art, and peace and love.

Steve, 5/11/2024

This post “My Early Years” copyright © 2024 Steven Leo Campbell at stevecampbellcreations.com – All rights reserved.