An Open Letter to My Readers Part II

For what has felt like a million years, it’s time to speak to the readers of both my Substack and my books. The unifying vision of creating a work of art is a greedy, almost sinful existence, but to have readers, online, a hard cover book, or e-book, is another wonder that brings me back to why most people read, including myself. So, it comes as no surprise I am writing to my readers because I want to keep everyone informed about my intent and the pride I feel concerning books and the written form.

            Ever since 2012, the goal of my works have never met in line with a publisher that was willing to see my “hard mode” vision that came with video games. A difficult way to read means the reader and the writer are sharing a vision that a few brave readers can enjoy but also find nourishment in the difficulty itself.

            Sometimes it can mean the work itself is long, and requires more discipline to read, as vocabulary, with five syllable words would force the reader to look them up in a dictionary or online, just to get the meaning of the sentence itself. Or the second option, filling up a page with endless story, requiring less verbal jousting with the reader, and offering more story in order to gain a reader’s attention.

            I have always seen both as a viable option to help readers become better informed but also see the way I write as a new form of expression. “Difficulty for difficulties sake” makes no sense to regular people, and I understand that. I offer quality and volume as both options for any endeavor I write, unless it’s an article, to which I betray that logic.

            The question becomes something else, entirely. People read in order to escape or find nourishment that the real world can’t give them. The reason why I read is complicated: I want to find out if a particular artists work can be nourishing on a verbal but also imaginative level, where I can put down my phone, and be lost in a narrative that helps me perfect my craft, or at least try and wow me enough to continue reading the author’s work. But sometimes people just want the skinny and be done with it. There’s nothing wrong with that. I would offer you this: my words.

            Other than pursuing real world relationships and love, reading is also part of why I love to write. To find a writer that can depress, excite, anger, or even wow me with the verbal jousting that Albert Camus, Mythology, Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series (an early love, but good start into reading), and even John Irving helped shape what my springboard could be. After diving into reading, it has become something else. To find that eternal myth, the cultural whirlpool of words and language, that can excite and move me to continue writing.

            So to my readers, if you are this far into my substack articles, musings, or shit posting, the work itself is why I am here. I am here to give you what most others can’t. The linguistic experience of novels, article writing, and philosophical questions that most novelists and entertainers should have, but are sorely lacking.

            Readers are still important and it’s why so many read, today. If you’re busy at life, that’s okay, too. It’s fine. Just remember that I’m still here, and don’t miss out on the joys of reading to nourish and excite your imagination. Whether it’s for verbal jousting or an escape, reading, and readers, are still very important.

            As Salman Rushdie said, “We are the story telling animals” and humans do excel in that quality.

            LtB