Being a writer and an illustrator is both rewarding and frustrating. So, often my memory muscles aren’t as strong as I would like. Many times it is a lack of strength to overcome frustration or being overwhelmed with the dailies (the stuff we all have to do) that I find it difficult to proceed.

But, all that aside, it is who I am. I have been working toward this goal, off and on, all my life. I have given it up, returned, and have even seen progress in my giving up—that part is just plain weird. My goal is what I was created to do. Some days I do it better than others, but overall it is what brings me satisfaction.

Even so, I am having to find my own way through and it’s slow going.

I want to have arrived.
I feel the need to have arrived.
But, I haven’t.

I am not sure anyone ever does arrive.

I am closer now than I ever was before. I am freer in my work. I haven’t given up. Both of these mean that I have matured—a bit (even if it is only a smidgen).

I am pushing myself, I am publishing, and I am hoping that I will continue to grow and I receive critique about my work. I am not the best writer. I am not the best illustrator. However, I am working hard to become better than I have ever been. This is the journey. The journey is the goal. Thanks for traveling with me through the muck and mire, through the mountains and valleys, and through thick posts and thin.

Just this week, my eBook was published at Amazon and iTunes. It isn’t everything I had hoped for, but I am doing it. I will grow and continue. Join up at TomyandJon.com to find out when the next issue will be released.