A very sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of you who have made this journey more fun than it had any business being. Writing is hard. It's self discovery wrapped in self hate, opinions shaped by observation and a final act of wringing your soul out in the sink and watching it spiral down the drain. While it is not easy, it's something that I must do, and will continue to do so.
All gas, no brakes.
However, in order to reach the heights that I will inevitably get to, it was time to put this thing down. It's not an easy decision and I really, truly do thank each and every one of you. From ex lovers to strangers to friends to mentors, you all helped me get to the place where I can finally bring my writing to life. The last 14 years has been a ride. A wild one. These years have taken me to places that I have never written about but will now because the time is right.
I am not leaving, I am branching out. This blog began as a hobby, something I'd just do because I was pretty okay at it. As I did it more, I got better than pretty okay. Because of you all, I now have the opportunity to take these stories further. Characters you've spent time with you will meet again, I assure you.
This blog produced a book and a couple of relationships. None of them very good for me, but all necessary for me to become the writer I need to be, for you. I will now take my talents to the physical media world. I am working on a television show that will premiere on YouTube and then be shopped to major studios. It is my personal goal to never clock in to an actual job ever again within two years. Thank you for helping me get here.
You have spent hours with me. You have spent money on me. My hope is that you don't view it as a waste of either. My end goal has always been television and film. If you'd allow me to do a quick time jump with you all, I'll explain how we got here.
It all started in 2005. I was in a very bad way in life at a very young age. Kicked out of high school, hanging around the wrong crowd, drugs, alcohol, you name it, had plagued my existence. I was none the wiser. It was a good time. Deep down I knew I needed a change, so I took it somewhat seriously. I was only 17 and thought I knew it all. Then I discovered a TV show that changed my life and the trajectory of it.
That show was LOST.
Sure, it was the trendy thing at the time and it was easy to get into. What it showed me was not what it showed others. It taught me what strong characters and even better writing could accomplish. What "doing it the right way" really meant. I view myself as a student of the game. While others would just watch, I'd study.
Not only what they said, but when, matters. How to weave a story and when to turn it on its head. While others played sports or went for a swim or whatever leisurely activity they chose, I knew I was building a future for myself and those I care about. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary. I routinely got called names for this. Lazy was a common one. I just leaned into it, because if anybody knew what I was trying to build, they'd call me delusional.
As it turns out, talent and a hint of delusion is what you need in this world as a creative. You can't allow other people to define you or get you off of your path. I am guilty of that, which is why my posts over the years have been sporadic at best. You all still showed up for me and I'm eternally grateful for it. It's hard to not be distracted by good times, drinking, drugs and women.
I could not in good faith take things to the next step without thanking each and every one of you. If we've never met or communicated and you're just a reader, my gratitude is immeasurable. It's because of you I now realize I am every bit as good as I think I am.
If you are someone who has been in my life personally and helped me get here, you already know how grateful I am for the role you played in my growth. I will see you all soon, on screen with the premiere of my first television series. I will post the links here when they are ready.
This is not a goodbye. We're crossing a bridge together. One I should have crossed many, many moons ago. Let's change the mother fucking world.
See you soon.
- Joshua
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