A Great Reason to Write

When I began my first novel there were a few things that compelled me. Not fame, not fortune, although, of course, the hope for those lies eternal within me.

The reason I started to write was that I was in a dark place in my life at the time and writing was very cathartic. I had always wanted to write a novel and all of a sudden I had the time to do it. One must do something while awake at all hours of the night. I wrote about my issues and although I will eventually publish that story, as I was about 100 pages into it, the idea for my sports mysteries hit me hard.

Now that I have found that I can combine my passion for sports with my love of mysteries and weave them into novels that people enjoy, I can’t stop. Not that I want to stop, but I couldn’t, even if I did want to.

Many things along the way reinforced the reasons I was fighting through this long, arduous process. The process of writing, editing and marketing is very enjoyable, yet, at times, completely frustrating. Every author needs something that drives them to continue. Setting small goals is essential. In the beginning it was finishing the manuscript. Then, it was landing an agent, then a publisher, then endorsements (thanks again Mr. Patterson.) Of course, getting TV options signed and a multi-book contract was exciting too. But recently I found something new that really makes me feel good about my books. Just the other day I was told by a high school varsity football player that he loved my book. Every author loves to hear those words about his/her work, but what really made me smile was when the boy said, “I usually hate reading, in fact, I don’t read at all unless I have to for school, but your book was different. I couldn’t put it down. When will your next book be available?”

That was one of the most gratifying moments in my writing career to date.

Then I found out that another younger boy was writing a report on Sudden Death for his English class. Then I received a request from a high school senior girl to do an online interview that she was going to use for her school English class.

While my first novel was not written for young adults, many kids are enjoying it anyway. And if I have helped even one non-reader to become a reader, that’s enough for me. I can relate to Mr. Patterson’s program Read Kiddo Read. I think reading is one of the most important things a young person can do to enhance their life.

So even if fame and fortune haven’t come into my life yet, a degree of true fortune really has. Providing entertainment through my novels is a great reason to write, but helping turn a non-reading kid into a reader enriches my heart.

Michael Balkind, the author of Sudden Death, is a graduate of Syracuse University, has a successful career in sales and marketing, and has owned several businesses.