If that's all there is, my friend, then let's keep dancing.
Yes, The Strongman comes to an end this morning. Some of you are applauding the story and some of you are applauding that it's over. That's life.
I this story, I tried to paint a picture of what it is genuinely like to be an elite level athlete struggling to reach the top of his sport. We seem to have the impression that all a person needs is talent and hard work to succeed. But that is not the case. No matter what a person sacrifices, there is no guarantee he will rise to the top.
But those people do succeed, often in ways they least expected or even rejected. Perhaps they will become wildly popular on Dancing with the Stars or America's Got Talent. They might become "Rookie of the Year" even without a national championship. They might be loved in "Gold Over America."
Or they might become an accountant.
Success in their field, even for the dedicated and talented, is not assured. Not unlike authors. Paul sacrificed relationships, family, and even love to pursue his dream. In the end, he found success where he tried most to avoid it.
He just isn't the superstar charismatic champion we expect our novel heroes to be or become. It seemed important, somehow, to tell that story.
What's next? I have two new stories, but they are not yet ready for release. One is in the hands of my frontline editor to get it ready for rewriting. The other is in the writing process during November Noveling. I don't expect either story to be ready for release on SOL until 2025, though my Sausage Grinder tier patrons on Patreon have access to first drafts as they are written.
I wish I could say I'm taking a long winter's nap, but I'm working my tush off, trying to get the next book finished. See you later.