The Write Road: On Sideroads and Being M.I.A.

"A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike ... We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us." John Steinbeck

It’s a Sunday morn.

I got up early this morning … as is my usual custom. Started a pot of coffee, sat down at my desk, and opened my email. Surprisingly, there were few messages, and none that needed immediate attention.

I sat back in my office chair, contemplating the past few days and weeks and months.

Just as I began to get lost in my reflections, the gurgling of the coffeemaker in the corner begged for my attention.

Pouring a mug, I turned to sit back down, but as I glanced out the window, I realized the morning sun was beginning to peek it’s gleaming eyes over the horizon.

So instead of settling back into my comfortable “Captain’s chair,” I shut off the alarms (so as not to wake Mary), slipped out the door, and meandered silently across the lawn to my bench under the old maple.

The air was slightly damp and chill, but not so much as to be uncomfortable. The steam rose from my mug as I sipped cautiously, trying not to scald my poor tongue.

The birds flitted around the flower garden and then darted back up into trees in the yard, chirping loudly at my presence. Perhaps they weren’t used to my presence … it had been a while since I lounged on the bench in the early morning light of a Sunday.

Maybe they were unsure if I be friend or if I be foe. Or wondered what I was up to in the first place.

Absence does that.

And that, my friend, leads me to the topic of this missive.

Of offramps, side trips, and the path down the write road

It’s been a while since we chatted last, hasn’t it.

March 4, to be exact. This year, of course.

You may have wondered what happened to me. Or … perhaps not.

But it’s been quite a wild and bumpy ride for the past few months. Some good times, some bad.

And some, shall we say, interesting times on which the jury’s still out.

But in any case, life happens (as it always does), so we must deal with it as best we can.

And keep moving onward.

Illnesses, even hospitalizations, have reared their ugly heads a time or two. Not for me, but for the one I love. We worked through it as best we could.

And still do.

While these things oft divert us down a side road for a while, eventually we must return to the main. It is that road that leads us to our destination, after all.

I’m still a working copywriter and I still have clients with needs I must fulfill.

For the most part, they’ve been quite understanding. It helps if you build strong relationships with those you work with and for. Keep that in mind.

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The fun times do tend to offset the bad, and we’ve had plenty of those, too.

The granddaughters love to spend the night, or even the whole weekend, over at Grandma and Granddad’s house. And we laugh and sing and dance and play until we all fall on the floor laughing.

And exhausted.

The good times are precious … and must be cherished. Always.

And then, there are side trips that beg us to explore, not just new opportunities and new destinations …

but ourselves as well.

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A new “journey” in the planning stages

If we do the same thing over and over and over again, we stagnate.

A foray into something new and different keeps our bodies agile, and our minds fresh.

But stepping out into the unknown can be somewhat unnerving, too.

For instance, I’m developing an new website to help others gain traction in the world of freelancing, entrepreneurship, and small-businesses building. And to help displaced workers find new hope as they face their personal Mount Everest.

Along with articles and blogs and a newsletter, it will also include training sessions to aid in their development and growth.

Quite an undertaking, for sure. And it will likely take several months before launch. I’m still building out the structure and developing the training modules.

And of course, taking the schooling necessary to create programs that are worthwhile and relevant for the students.

But it’s one way I feel I can give back to the community I love so well. And yes, it will be a source of semi-passive income that may eventually eclipse my own freelancing endeavors.

One that could also create a legacy to pass on to my descendants.

But … what about The Write Road?

The future of this newsletter

I fully intend to continue on with this epic (for me, anyway) publication.

Writing keeps the old gray matter electrons sparking. And I’ve gained so many new friends with whom I want to stay in touch.

Please bear with me as I work to find a good pace for this newsletter … and everything I’m currently working on. I’ll document the wins and the struggles here.

It may help you as you work to move forward in your writing career.

So, I sign off for now, not with a final farewell …

But with a heartfelt, “See you in the next issue!”

It’s on the table right now.

Give me a week or two. :)

Steve Maurer