The short answer: I hope not.

The long version:

I’ll be 48 years old in 10 days. I’m pushing 50, man. Not only that, but I have a great job in software engineering. My wife and I live comfortably, I’ve got two teenagers who I’m trying to guide along, I’ve got hobbies, and general household chores.

I’ve got this one other thing–fear. I really believe that if I go to my grave without putting out a book or two that I’ll leave this earth with massive regret. So much, in fact, that it motivates me to do the work.

It’s not easy. I’ve been to McKee’s Story seminar, I’ve read the craft books, and I listen to the industry podcasts. And then there’s the part where you actually have to sit down and do the work.

I took the family to a recent Shawn Mendes concert (amazing production!), and at one point, he talked about his song, “Life of the Party.” He said when he uploaded it to YouTube at the age of 15, he had no idea what would happen. His point is that you just have to start down the road and see where it leads. That journey is what inspired the photograph on this article.

Now I’m not saying that I’m going to be the novelist version of Shawn Mendes, but I can tell you one thing we have in common–I have no idea what’s going to happen. But I’m going to find out. Don’t we owe ourselves at least that much?