Happy Birthday, 'Winter Solstice'. It's been four years since the publication of my novel. My first and so far only published novel. I've got another novel in 2nd draft mode, and others in various stages of construction, but WS is the only one that has made it completely through the process. 

That process has become more complicated today thanks to my broadened horizon. I participate in writers groups. I have great writer friends who support me with beta reading and encouragement. In return I support them.

This is so much better than toiling away alone without a supportive community. I truly cannot stress how affirming it is. Not only affirming, but also constructive. My writer friends and colleagues find the stuff that I miss. They poke holes. They ask questions. They make me go back and edit, edit again, and edit some more after that.

This is more rigorous, but it results in better stories. With that said, although WS is clearly a product of the 70's, it holds up. As my friend Nik says, "it's a trippy adventure", and he's right. It was meant to be such.

Every one of my stories is going to be driven by deeper meaning. Not all of my writer friends are afflicted by this, which is cool. I'm sure it's the product of my AP English education. A novel should entertain, but it should also educate the soul.

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